Morrill Sweeps Trots With Rice Trainees

Published: September 10, 2021 10:45 pm EDT

Jim Morrill Jr. was in top form at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 10) and teamed up with trainer Maria Rice to sweep the top trots.

In the $11,800 Open I-II, Morrill sent Party Boy Hanover ($12.40) down the road and dominated his rivals for two tours of the oval. After leading to the three-quarter pole by as much as two open lengths, Party Boy Hanover turned for home and out-legged the field by 1-1/2 lengths in a season's best time of 1:57.4.

A four-year-old Credit Winner gelding, Party Boy Hanover earned his third win in five starts since coming to Batavia.

Then in the $8,700 mid-level condition trot, Morrill air mailed Keystone Apache ($6.10) from post six and proceeded in a similar style. After quarters of :28.3, :58 and 1:27.3, Keystone Apache held off all comers down the lane to win in 1:57.3, which was also a seasonal mark. The win was the fifth of the year for Keystone Apache.

Both horses are owned by Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock and both are trained by Maria Rice.

Morrill rounded out a driving grand slam with Innocent Victim (1:56.1, $2.80) and Heez Orl Black N (1:56.3, $2.30). From his 10 starts on Friday, he also had two seconds and two thirds giving him a stout .525 UDR for the evening.

The fundraiser to benefit the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester that was held at Batavia Downs on Friday raised a total of $16,500. The management of Batavia Downs would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended the function and especially thank everyone who made a donation.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday with post time for the first race at 5 p.m. and there are two small carryovers to mention. The Jackpot Pick-6 has a carryover of $639 and the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta has a carryover of $248.

(With files from Batavia Downs)

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