Western New York racing legend and former Grand Circuit driving star Gerry Sarama reached a major milestone on Wednesday (Oct. 21) at Batavia Downs, earning the 1,000th training victory of his career with Ohio Prince in the 12th race.
Sarama, whose father owned and raced horses, started driving at an early age and quickly found himself at the top of the driver colony in western New York. He moved to Roosevelt Raceway in the late 1970s and successfully competed with the best in the nation on the biggest stage at the time. But, he eventually found his way back to his roots and continued to be at the top of his game ever since.
During his driving career, the now 78-year-old Sarama amassed 2,630 wins and bankrolled $11.5 million. But he curtailed that activity in 2007 and turned his attention to training full time. Since doing so, Sarama has found as much success in the jog cart as he did in the sulky. He currently oversees about 14 horses and since taking over conditioning duties full time, his stable has earned in excess of $5.6 million. During his entire training career, Sarama has made 6,153 starts with 1,000 wins, 931 seconds and 843 thirds.
A scratch-shortened field of six horses went to post in the $8,500 Open I Handicap Trot, and the race turned into a tale of two races. Chapter one saw Il Mago (Jim Morrill Jr.) scream off the gate and speed away to an eight-length lead at the half in :58. At that same station, Before I Die (Jim McNeight Jr.) was sitting fourth and 11 lengths in arrears.
Chapter two began when McNeight pulled Before I Die at the five-eighths and started making tracks towards the leader — and doing it in a timely fashion. At the three-quarters, Il Mago’s lead was down to four and diminishing with every stride while Before I Die was in full gear. When they hit the top of the lane, Il Mago was digging in and determined to win, but Before I Die wrote his own ending, winning by a head in 1:58.2.
It was the second top class victory this year at Batavia Downs for Before I Die ($8.70), who campaigns for Caren and Jamie Dubay.
Then, in the $8,500 Open I Handicap for for pacing fillies and mares, HP Sissy (Denny Bucceri) led the field to the quarter in :27.4, but when Bucceri tapped the brakes in a :30.1 second panel, Morrill pulled Tellawoman and took control by the five-eighths pole. As soon as he did, Bucceri came right back out with HP Sissy and rode alongside the leader with Yankee Secret (Dave McNeight III) now traveling three-deep.
Heading into the stretch, HP Sissy faded, Carly Girl (Drew Monti) was trying to get out between her and Tellawoman, and Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings) was also now flying down the stretch. When they hit the wire, four horses were only a length apart in very close quarters. After an objection and two inquiries — none of which were allowed — Tellawoman won in 1:57, only a half length ahead of Lady Dudette and HP Sissy who dead-heated for second.
It was the second win in the last three starts for Tellawoman ($7.10) and owner Rose Campbell. Russell Bratt trains the winner.
Jim Morrill Jr. and Drew Monti topped all drivers with three winners each on the night while trainers Sabrina Shaw, Kevin Cummings and Sarama tied for top conditioning honours with two apiece.
With no winner in the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday, a $2,152 carryover pool will move to Saturday (Oct. 24) and there will be a guaranteed pool of $5,000 for the Pick-5 wager that day. The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and, as such, free program pages will be available courtesy of TrackMaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites.
The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager, and if all five winners aren’t selected, any carryover will be moved to the Pick-5 wager on the following Wednesday (Oct. 28) program.
Post time for the first race Saturday is 5 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)