By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
(Photo courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery)
Batavia, NY — When Starlitcresentroll made his first start at Batavia Downs on October 18, he was claimed by Lucky Label Stable and he hasn’t lost a race since. On Friday (Nov. 8), Starlitcresentroll won his third straight for his new connections after taking the featured $9,500 trot at The Downs.
Dave McNeight III got away fourth with Starlitcresentroll as BJ’s Smitty (Mike Baumeister) battled HP Maestro (Kyle Swift) for the lead and took control passing the :29.3 quarter. BJ’s Smitty then motored down to the half where Crazy Brother Jim (Rock Vinci) made a first-over move and brought Starlitcresentroll with him. Positions remained unchanged to three-quarters but as they trotted into the turn, Crazy Brother Jim took the lead on the outside while Starlitcresentroll went three-wide around him to position for the stretch run. At the top of the lane, Starlitcresentroll was in full stride and reeled in Crazy Brother Jim with every stride and won by a head in 1:59.4.
It was the fifth win of the year for Starlitcresentroll ($4.10) who is trained by Taylor Fritz.
Two drivers had hat tricks on Friday. Kevin Cummings won three races including the seventh with Stranger Things (1:57, $3.40) who notched his 40th career victory and Drew Monti who also scored three and sat behind Stay Safe (1:58.4, $2.50) in the ninth, who won her 30th lifetime outing.
Trainers Angelo Nappo, Jim Rothfuss and Sam Smith all had two wins during the evening.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 9) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will be two carryovers on the card. First, there is a $6,551 carryover in the Pick-5 in the first race and Batavia Downs will guarantee the pool at $12,500 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program. Free programs for races one through five will be available on the USTA website under the Strategic Wagering heading listed on the Handicapping tab. And there will also be a carryover of $682 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.