El Toro Loco overcame the assigned post seven for a front-end victory in the $19,014 Open Handicap Trot on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Batavia Downs.

Driver Kevin Cummings left hard with El Toro Loco and took the lead by the eighth pole. El Toro Loco cut the fractions of :28.2, :59 and 1:27.3, and with no serious threats coming from behind, he rounded the last turn, entered the stretch and extended his margin to 2-3/4 lengths in the 1:57 victory. Chamba (Joe Chindano Jr.) forged past pocket-sitter Assiduous (Drew Monti) for second.

The win was the second in a row and eighth of the year in 27 starts for El Toro Loco ($10.40), who has now earned $503,831 lifetime and won 32 times in 137 outings. Alex Giuliani trains the seven-year-old Walner-Southwind Cabaret gelding for Mike Torcello.

Lyons Surfing grinded out a first-over victory in the $19,014 Open Handicap Pace. He got away fourth for Kyle Cummings as More Than Ya Know (John Cummings Jr.) marched on the point in :27.2 and :56.3 splits to the half. Lyons Surfing then moved out first-up, making his way towards the leader, but seemed to stall as More Than Ya Know sped to three-quarters in 1:24.3 while opening up a 2-1/2-length lead. But as they moved through turn four, Lyons Surfing found a new gear and moved into second, then overhauled the leader by 1-1/4 lengths down the lane to score in 1:54. Livonjaxandqueens (Denny Bucceri) charged for third.

After two straight wins in lower classes, Lyons Surfing ($12.86) returned to the Open level for his 10th win of the year in 21 starts. The six-year-old Stay Hungry-Surfside Sexy gelding is now 31-for-108 lifetime. Sheena Cohen trains him for P T Stable.

An accident occurred in the third race when leader Hunt For Cash, driven by Joe Chindano Jr., broke stride nearing three-quarters, causing a chain reaction in which he and Toreador Gb, driven by Gareth Dowse, both fell and both drivers were dislodged. Chindano continued to drive on the day, while Dowse missed his scheduled assignment on Lyons Surfing. Updates on those available will be posted here if made available.

Cummings had a grand slam on the 12-race program. He also won with Viva Las Vegas N (1:55.3, $18), Captain Paradise (1:55.1, $12.30) and Top Tier (1:56.1, $14.88).

The $5,000 guaranteed pool for the Pick Five wager in the first race produced a handsome payout. The combination of 5/3/2/3/1 returned $2,607.99 for a 50-cent wager.  

However, with no winner again Saturday in the Jackpot Super High Five pentafecta, that carryover continues to grow and now stands at $25,060. That pool will be available in the 12th race on Wednesday, Oct. 28, when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs at 5 p.m.

(With files from Batavia Downs)