When Jeff Gregory left the Western New York circuit for bigger and better racing, fans knew he was a kid with a future. Last night they saw first hand how far he has come.
Having notched four wins and a third last night, Jeff Gregory became the new leader in the $10,000 All-Star driver's challenge currently being held at Batavia Downs.
The 42-year-old Gregory racked up 39 points in the eight-race competition, which vaulted him past Jody Jamieson (35 points) with one week to go in the eight-week challenge. Jason Bartlett, currently the leading driver at Yonkers Raceway, gets his turn next Wednesday night.
Gregory became the new points leader when he scored in the second division of the Diamond Sparkler Pacing Series with longshot Herradura Hanover. Getting away last, Herradura Hanover and Gregory tipped three-deep around excessive cover at the three-quarter pole and exploded to win by a head in 1:58.4. Jodi Schillaci trains the Bettors Delight--Braggin Yankee three-year-old for owners Michael Bucaria and Tindaro Abramo. The win gets Herradura Hanover ($37.40) into next week's final.
Favorite Kashability ($3.40) took the first division of the Diamond Sparkler with Jeff Gregory at the controls for owners Clint and Barbara Galbraith and Leslie and Arnie Rothschild. Moving to the top at the three-eighths pole, Gregory got the Noble Ability-Enjoy Kash three-year-old home by a nose in 1:57.4. Hall of Famer Clint Galbraith is the trainer.
Jeff Gregory's other wins came on Chautauqua Action and Patriotic Dream.
Gregory's drives earned over $650 for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. So far over $12,000 has been raised for the BCCR through sponsorship of races, donation of participating drivers' five per cent commission and a silent auction.
(Batavia Downs)