By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
(Photos courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery)
Batavia, NY — A perfect storm that occurred early in the race, helped the seriously overlooked Thunder Country to strike late at 36-1 and win the featured $13,500 Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 3) night.
Thunder Country (Andy Shetler) got away fourth as Davey Day Trader (Dave McNeight III) throttled the flow of the single-file field with a tepid :29.1 in the first quarter of the race. That prompted the favorite, Saulsbrook Victor (Brett MacDonald), to pull first-over at three-eighths to argue the pace. With Saulsbrook Victor on the attack in the breeze, Davey Day Trader started to pace faster and posted a :27.4 second panel. Saulsbrook Victor continued to badger the leader from there, while Thunder Country started floating outside fourth, and now with cover.
Davey Day Trader and Saulsbrook Victor produced another fast :28 quarter to three-quarters while Thunder Country became a tight fourth and only 1-½ lengths behind. Positions remained unchanged around the far turn until the top of the stretch where Thunder Country tipped three-deep and then paced past Saulsbrook VIctor to win by 1-¼ lengths in 1:55.
It was the fourth win of the year for Thunder Country ($74.00), who is owned and trained by his driver, Andy Shetler.
There was also a $13,500 Open Handicap trot that was won by Crazy Ritz, who claimed his 25th lifetime victory.
Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) left from post one, but Credit Con (Kevin Cummings) came quick to take the lead. Then Crazy Ritz moved again for the retake and owned the lead for the rest of the mile, but not without challenges. After the race reached the quarter in :29.1, Look Proud (Brett MacDonald) moved early from fourth in turn two, to challenge as the race passed the half in :58.1.
Look Proud’s rush fell short at five-eighths as Crazy Ritz opened up his lead a bit on the backside. But Credit Con was still on his back and Valentine Express (Drew Monti) swung three-deep and into contention, with Civilian Drone (Ray Fisher Jr.) following in his wake. With four horses closing in fast, Crazy Ritz was under siege, but he stayed on task and closed out the race with a half-length win in 1:57.2.
Crazy Ritz ($4.38) is owned by James Palladino and trained by Sam Dilcher.
Kevin Cummings led all drivers with three wins on Saturday, while Cassie Russo and Ron Beback Jr. both scored two wins to top all trainers.
Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 7) at 5 p.m. and there will be a $12,778 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the 12th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia Downs can always be downloaded at the track’s website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab. And you can watch all the races live as they happen for free on the Batavia Downs YouTube page.
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Batavia Downs Results Saturday Oct 03, 2026
1st – $6,500 Pace 1:56.1
5-Connor B (Ch Russo) 5.26 2.80 2.72
2-Examiner Hanover (An Monti) 5.30 3.56
3-Counter Offer (Mi Whelan) 3.12
EXACTA (5/2) $19.16
TRIFECTA (5/2/3) $37.85
Scratched: Lookinlikeamillion
Also – Scrub Hanover, Shim, Da Ghetto Wizard, Bryant Seelster
2nd – $9,500 Pace 1:56.0
3-Caviart Val (Ra Fisher Jr) 7.22 5.26 4.44
7-Miki Minaj (Da McNeight III) 11.16 6.56
2-Gansbaai (Mi Whelan) 3.38
EXACTA (3/7) $187.01
TRIFECTA (3/7/2) $290.84
SUPERFECTA (3/7/2/5) $547.86
EARLY DOUBLE (5/3) $14.64
Also – One Corona To Go, Pointomygranson, Dont Poke The Bear, Mcvera, Northern Rein
3rd – $11,000 Trot 1:57.0
5-Double Class (Ke Cummings) 6.78 4.60 2.92
1-My One Percent (Ky Cummings) 4.14 2.70
4-Biscoe (Ja McNeight Jr.) 3.84
EXACTA (5/1) $11.45
TRIFECTA (5/1/4) $22.17
SUPERFECTA (5/1/4/3) $26.66
Also – Oh Boy, Spanish Room, Chamba, Mucho Macho, Cool Clifford
4th – $5,000 Pace 1:57.0
7-Bet On Buter (Mi Whelan) 11.22 4.86 3.60
1-Theymakeusbetter (Ch Russo) 2.64 2.40
4-Mcwinner (Wa Tomaszewski) 5.72
EXACTA (7/1) $17.10
TRIFECTA (7/1/4) $63.22
SUPERFECTA (7/1/4/3) $56.69
Also – Ramapo Ccl, Darbie’s Ideal, Confidence Man, Hes Got Swagger
5th – $9,500 Trot 1:58.1
9-Gone Crazee (Jo Chindano Jr.) 14.36 8.38 5.92
1-Deliciousstone Dk (An Monti) 8.56 5.78
4-Bars Open (Ky Cummings) 7.28
EXACTA (9/1) $45.08
TRIFECTA (9/1/4) $83.41
SUPERFECTA (9/1/4/5) $276.80
DAILY DOUBLE (7/9) $54.85
PICK 5 (5,6/3/5/7/9) $617.89
Also – Whats The Point, Allsummerlong As, Brookview Darius, Crazy Brother Jim, Star Pilot, Infinity Stone
6th – $13,500 Trot 1:57.2
1-Crazy Ritz (Ja McNeight Jr.) 4.38 3.38 2.10
3-Civilian Drone (Ra Fisher Jr) 8.16 2.84
6-Valentine Express (An Monti) 2.22
EXACTA (1/3) $14.50
TRIFECTA (1/3/6) $15.52
SUPERFECTA (1/3/6/5) $21.43
PICK 4 (5/7/9/1) $625.62
Also – Credit Con, Fiftyfour K, Lookproud
7th – $11,500 Pace 1:56.1
2-Hunt For Cash (Jo Chindano Jr.) 6.92 3.50 2.32
1-Italian Lad N (Ke Cummings) 2.98 2.26
5-Ontop Rainman (Mi Whelan) 2.84
EXACTA (2/1) $7.45
TRIFECTA (2/1/5) $9.51
SUPERFECTA (2/1/5/4) $10.72
Also – Total Stranger, Odds On Anubis, Winmebak, Toreador Gb
8th – $13,500 Pace 1:55.0
2-Thunder Country (An Shetler) 74.00 16.92 5.86
6-Saulsbrook Victor (Br Macdonald) 3.24 2.34
3-Lanjo Lee (Ky Cummings) 2.30
EXACTA (2/6) $124.12
TRIFECTA (2/6/3) $107.56
SUPERFECTA (2/6/3/1) $135.09
Also – Captain Paradise, Lip Reader A, Livonjaxandqueens, Lyons Surfing, Davey Day Trader
9th – $5,000 Pace 1:57.0
5-Contact Zone (Ch Russo) 6.46 3.14 2.72
2-Checkonwilliam Gb (Jo Chindano Jr.) 3.96 2.96
3-Bettor On Ice (Br Macdonald) 3.32
EXACTA (5/2) $11.59
TRIFECTA (5/2/3) $15.16
SUPERFECTA (5/2/3/1) $10.92
DAILY DOUBLE (2/5) $70.75
Also – Mc Man, Santana Beach, Actor Hanover, Gibby
10th – $8,000 Pace 1:55.3
5-Jms Best Bet (An Monti) 5.02 2.98 2.28
4-Decision Day (Jo Chindano Jr.) 5.28 3.50
2-Kyuquot (Ro Vinci) 4.14
EXACTA (5/4) $9.83
TRIFECTA (5/4/2) $15.05
SUPERFECTA (5/4/2/3) $18.34
PICK 4 (2/2/5/5) $738.39
Also – Twenty Five, Carrythetorchman, Colton’s Charm, Seaside Sunset, Andrews Ideal
11th – $9,500 Pace 1:54.4
3-Brutus Bayama (Ke Cummings) 9.28 5.24 4.78
5-Marvellous Mac A (An Monti) 5.72 6.52
2-Soul Assassin (Jo Chindano Jr.) 9.04
EXACTA (3/5) $32.33
TRIFECTA (3/5/2) $74.45
SUPERFECTA (3/5/2/6) $151.49
Scratched: Bottle Rocket
Also – Moved Bythe Spirit, Dance Machine, Avion Seelster
12th – $8,000 Pace 1:56.2
1-Fernetti N (Ke Cummings) 4.36 3.40 2.88
3-Pro Beach (Ga Dowse) 24.02 11.98
4-Double My Chips (Da McNeight III) 4.12
EXACTA (1/3) $56.71
TRIFECTA (1/3/4) $128.81
SUPERFECTA (1/3/4/7) $188.01
LATE DOUBLE (3/1) $13.12
PICK 3 (5/3/1) $27.17
JACKPOT SUPER HIGH FIVE ()
Also – Yankee Clout, Skyway Ballistic, Saulsbrook Ian, Memphistennessee N, Sugar Shock, Trente Deo