The final weekend of racing at Batavia Downs will kick off on Friday (Dec. 14), and although 26 more races are yet to be contested, there are two that have already been settled.
The dash winning driver and trainer for the 2018 meet are Drew Monti and JD Perrin, respectively.
Monti has now won three driving titles in his career, two of which have come at Batavia. The 24-year-old put together another stellar year in the bike at Batavia; to date having started 560 times, won 115 races, notched 89 second-place finishes and 72 thirds. His starts earned his connections $686,305 in purses and earned himself a UDR of .337.
Monti’s Batavia numbers were solid additions to his overall figures for the year (1,260 starts, 252 wins, 194 seconds, 174 thirds, over $1.52 million in purse earnings and a UDR of .332).
Perrin has now won his fourth training title at Batavia, as he had previously won the local title in 2014, 2015 and 2016. From their total of 192 starts, Perrin trainees have won 55 times with 31 seconds and 19 thirds, which has helped give Perrin a UTR of .409. His stable banked $298,248 for the session.
Perrin’s annual numbers show 442 starts, which have yielded a total of 126 wins, 68 seconds, 51 thirds, and $633,623 in purses. Also, Perrin currently ranks fourth in North America for UTR among trainers with less than 500 starts this year.
Monti and Perrin will receive their trophies in the Purple Haze Winner’s Circle at Batavia Downs after the 12th race this Saturday night (Dec. 15).
Please note that post time for Batavia’s Saturday card is early (4:45 p.m.).
Also on Saturday night, there will be many opportunities for the fans to take advantage of.
The $20,000 final of the Dash for the Holiday Cash series will be the featured event and will head postward for Race 6.
There will be a free Pick-6 contest with a mandatory payoff of $1,000. The Pick-6 will start in Race 4 and will runs through Race 9. Entry blanks can be picked up at Players Club and can be deposited with selections prior to the start of the fourth race. Entries are limited to one per person.
The Pick-6 is co-sponsored by the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association.
There will also be a random drawing from all the Pick-6 entries to win 10 ‘Driver of the Meet’ Drew Monti bobble heads and 10 official Dan Patch Awards baseball caps. Ten winners will be drawn and each will receive both prizes.
The bobble head and baseball cap giveaways are sponsored by TAG Jewelers and the upstate New York chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
Friday night (Dec. 14) will see the UNY USHWA Night of Distinction awards presented at Batavia. They will take place in the winner's circle between races. Post time for the Friday card will be at 6 p.m.
(USHWA)