Valentine Express made it two top-level wins in his last three starts, and Livonjaxandqueens took his first Batavia Downs victory of the year as each captured the $19,014 Open event for their gait on Saturday, Sept. 26.

In the Open Handicap Trot, Valentine Express took a lot of air during the mile but ended up in victory lane. He got away fourth for Drew Monti as El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) set a good early pace of :27.4 and :57.4 to the half, where Valentine Express had tipped out first and was motoring quickly towards the front. El Toro Loco continued to lead heading onto the backstretch, but Valentine Express made his way to second at three-quarters in 1:26.2 with Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) following the leader from the pocket.

The top three separated from the other two and maintained their positions around the last turn. When they straightened for home, El Toro Loco was surrounded by Valentine Express on the outside and Crazy Ritz by the pylons. All three trotted together down the lane until Valentine Express finally pushed to the lead and won by a length in 1:56.4. El Toro Loco was second over Crazy Ritz.

Valentine Express ($3.60) is now six-for-24 this year for owner Rock 01 Stable and trainer Jerry Nugent Jr. The seven-year-old son of Chapter Seven-Cantata tallied his 33rd win and raised his earnings to $480,508 in his 156th start. He paid $3.60 to win.

Livonjaxandqueens went gate to wire in the Open Handicap Pace and hung on late to grab the win. 

Livonjaxandqueens (Denny Bucceri) took immediate command from his pylon-position start and went unchallenged through pedestrian fractions of :30.1 and :59.2, with Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings) drafting in the garden spot. Lyons Surfing (Drew Monti) took a shot from behind, but he stalled in the breeze as Livonjaxandqueens stepped on the gas to three-quarters in 1:27.

As the field moved through the last turn, Lanjo Lee posed the main threat to the pacesetter, and he took aim from the passing lane. Lanjo Lee reeled in Livonjaxandqueens with every stride and closed to within a quarter-length, but the line came in time for the leader, who held on to win in 1:55. Captain Paradise (Shawn Gray) finished third.

The win was the seventh of the year from 23 tries for Livonjaxandqueens ($6.52), who is owned by Howard and Andrew Ouriel and trained by Jim Rothfuss. The six-year-old American Ideal-Its De Lovely stallion is now 31-for-111 lifetime with $411,614 in earnings.

Mike Whelan was the top driver on Saturday with three wins on the 11-race program. He won twice for trainer Walter Whelan, who shared top honours with Ron Beback Jr.

Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Wednesday at 5 p.m. There will be an $8,310 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the 11th race. There will also be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 in the Pick-5 wager (with a $696 carryover) in the first race. The guarantee is made through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program.

(With files from Batavia Downs; photo of Livonjaxandqueens winning on Sept. 26)