After winning two of the three preliminary legs and being claimed twice during the proceedings, J B Gram won the $31,690 final of the Octoberfest Claiming Series as he tied his best mile of the year on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at Batavia Downs.
J B Gram (Kevin Cummings) took the first lead of the race passing the eighth pole, but Skyline Blue Chip (Drew Monti) was not content with a pocket trip and came out to gain the front at the quarter in :28.4. Once in control, Skyline Blue Chip reached the half in :57.4 before being confronted by Motive Hanover (Joe Chindano Jr.) as they rolled up the backstretch.
Motive Hanover, under an animated drive, drew alongside J B Gram as they raced to three-quarters in 1:25.4 but was not able to reach Skyline Blue Chip. Halfway through the last bend, Motive Hanover began to fade, leaving J B Gram the only threat for Skyline Blue Chip going home. J B Gram slid into the passing lane in the stretch, and with both drivers bouncing in the bike, he incrementally gained ground on Skyline Blue Chip and pushed clear by a head at the line to win in 1:55. Dragons R Fearless (Kyle Cummings) was third.
The win was the fifth win of the year in 31 outings for J B Gram ($5.82), who is owned by Ben Ortiz and trained by Shawn McDonough. The six-year-old Tellitlikeitis-Faith Leigh gelding is now 18-for-116 lifetime.
In the $14,085 Fillies and Mares Class A Pace, Lady Blue Jay (John Cummings Jr.) grabbed the lead from post one and took no prisoners. Lady Blue Jay cut fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:26.2 but was under a full-blown attack from Windsun Charlotte (Dave McNeight III) and the three-wide Face The Shadows (Brady Galliers) at three-quarters. Lady Blue Jay was the toughest of the bunch as she refused to lose, holding on by a half-length in 1:56.1. Mcvera (Shawn McDonough) was up for second and Face The Shadows took third as six horses crossed the line within two lengths of each other.
Lady Blue Jay ($4.08) scored a seasonal-best win, upping her 2026 tally to four-for-32 for owner Fred Yellen. Megan Wilson trains the five-year-old Sweet Lou-Strut My Stuff mare, who is nine-for-85 lifetime.
Brett MacDonald led all drivers on the 12-race card with three wins while trainers Tammy Cummings, Shawn McDonough and Luis Ramirez all sent two from their barn to the winner’s circle.
Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Thursday at 5 p.m. There will be a $26,567 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the 12th race.
(Batavia Downs)