Batavia Downs held its annual breast cancer awareness fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 10 in partnership with the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (New York), which has become a major function of the organization's yearly calendar. The 2024 event raised in excess of $25,000 and the hope is to surpass that amount again this year.
Among the many activities that were conducted during the sold out event to raise funds and awareness to fight this dreaded disease, the fifth race was named the $10,417 Breast Cancer Awareness Pace and featured horses from seven female trainers who were invited to enter. And the race was won by Mateo who is trained by Jami Chatt.
Drew Monti sent Mateo right to the front and turned back all comers from the start. After getting to the half in :59.4, Mateo took on challenges from Mason Street (Dave McNeight III) and Barry Hanover (Justin Huckabone) from the three-quarters to the line, but fought hard for the cause to fend them off and won by a length in 1:58.3.
A former O'Brien Award finalist who also made headlines for his prowess despite only having one eye, Mateo picked up his 31ist career win to push the 11-year-old gelded son of Blue Burner’s career bankroll over $455,000. Chatt also co-owns Mateo with his driver, Drew Monti.
The other trainers in the race were (from post one out) Lynn Fisher, Courtney Wright, Judy Blaun, Ann Yurenka, Cassandra Johnson and Sophie Norton.
There were also a lot of other lady trainers who sent out winners all night long at Batavia Downs including Sheena Cohen (Brookview Darius-1:58.3, $4.36), Maria Rice (Munk-1:59.1, $6.80), Tammy Cummings (My One Percent 1:59.4, $19.30 and Always Choose Chip 1:58.4, $2.28), Mae Smith (Huntsville Place 1:58.2, $8.72), Candace Brandstatter-Hall (Grinder 1:59.4, $9.78) and Taylor Fritz, (Starlitcresentroll-1:58.3, $13.26).
Kyle Swift led all drivers Friday with three wins on the card while trainers Tammy Cummings and Chris Petrelli scored two wins apiece to lead their category.
The $5,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick-5 wager on Friday turned out to be a major score for some lucky punters. The combination of 1-4-2-6-2 returned $1,972.61 for the 50-cent wager.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Oct. 11) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $2,630 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 12th race.
(with files from Batavia)