Saturday night’s Batavia Downs program is one of the biggest nights in the track's history, as a total of seven New York Sire Stakes races will take place during the card
.
Four events for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings and three for two-year-old trotting fillies will headline the 12-race program which will see over $275,000 in purses up for grabs. First-race post time will be 6:40 p.m.
The freshman trotting sensation Jezzy will put her perfect nine-for-nine record on the line in the sixth race of the evening. The fact that filly is even around to race is remarkable, seeing as though she almost died due to an allergic reaction to antibiotics when she was a yearling. Ray Schnittker trains and drives the Credit Winner--Ladylind filly that was bred by Little E LLC.
“She got very sick on us and almost didn’t make it,” Schnittker said. “We got a late start with her but once we got her going she’s been the perfect horse -- very easy to drive and with plenty of speed.”
Jezzy will make only two more starts this season.
“Because of her sickness, we didn’t stake her to anything, so she’s done (for the season) after the Night of Champions (which is to be held next Saturday night). Hopefully I’ll win them both.”
Batavia Downs Racing Secretary Joe Zambito has installed Jezzy as the 1-5 morning line favourite. Show wagering will not be offered. The other NYSS filly trots have been carded as Race 3 and 11.
A who’s who of NYSS trotting colts will do battle in Race 1, 2, 8 and 10.
Blacktuxwhitesocks, the current points leader for next Saturday’s Yonkers Night of Champions, will be slugging it out in Race 10. Jeff Gregory will be in town to drive for trainer Howie Okusko and owner Purple Haze Stable. The Credit Winner--True Blue colt sports eight wins this season with earnings of $180,864.
Two races earlier Aruba Vacation and Celebrity Bluechip, currently two-three in the point standings, figure to fight it out for top honours.
Racing programs can be downloaded free of charge at bataviadownscasino.com. Simply click on 'race info.'
(Batavia)