Convincing winners co-feature at Batavia Downs
February 8, 2024
Batavia, New York — The weekly $15,000 top class event for both gaits took place at Batavia Downs on Thursday afternoon (February 8), with the winners of both races taking their first wins of the year in impressive fashion.
The open handicap trot was won by City of Hope (Kevin Cummings) by 1-1/4 lengths in a 3-length move.
City of Hope ($8.10) scored its first win of the new year for owners Philip Hale and David Dewhurst. Photo by Wendy J. Lowery.
City of Hope took the lead with J. Swanman (Dave McKnight III) pushing fellow loser Big Box Hanover (Larry Starbaum) into two holes with a strong 28.3 quarters to take 5th place. I managed to escape. The positions remained the same until the first half, with Ricky B. Sharpe (Mike Baumeister) and City of Hope starting an outside run that would eventually lead to a lead change between the two. First, Ricky B. Sharpe cleared Jay Swanman before the third quarter and crossed over as City of Hope fell into the pocket. The two horses stayed side by side from near the final corner to the start of the straight, where Cummings tipped City of Hope and trotted to the right of Ricky B. Sharp under a line drive to win in 1:57.2. did.
City of Hope ($8.10), who won 14 times and earned $149,382 in 2023, picked up his first win of the year for owner Philip Hale and the winner's trainer, David Dewhurst. did.
Then, at open handicap pace, Humberto (Dave McKnight III) took advantage of a perfect trip to take a blowout victory.
Avion Thielster (John Cummings Jr.) flew in first, and Humberto slowly reached his spot in the garden. After reaching halftime in 57.1 seconds with no challenges, Ideal Artillery (Drew Monti) and Alta Engen A (Kevin Cummings) tried to take matters to the second circuit. But Cummings Jr. stepped on the gas with Avion Sealster, negating the attack from behind with 28 seconds flat in the third quarter, leaving Humberto, sitting in the pocket, the only legal shot. McKnight pulled Humberto around the final corner and took the lead around the fading leader. After that, Humberto extended his lead by three lengths and won by a lap in 1 minute 53.4 seconds.
Humberto ($15.80), trainer Dave McKnight Jr., and his first win for the newly affiliated El Dorado stable acquired two weeks ago for Wendy J. Lowry's photo.
This was Humberto's first win of the year ($15.80), but it was also the first for his new affiliation, the El Dorado stable, acquired two weeks ago under trainer Dave McKnight Jr.
Drivers Mike Baumeister, John Cummings Jr., Kevin Cummings, Dave McKnight III, Jim McKnight Jr. and Jim Morrill Jr. each had two wins on Thursday, and 13 different trainers each won one game.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (February 12) at 3 p.m., with the card featuring the fourth round of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for pacers. The 14th race jackpot Super Hi-5 Pentafecta also has a carryover of $1,852.
A free, complete historical performance program of all live racing cards at Batavia can be downloaded at any time from the Live Racing tab on the Downs website (ataviadownsgaming.com), with all racing action taking place at Batavia. You can watch it for free. Downs Live Facebook page.
