Big night for Morrill at Batavia

Batavia, NY — Harness racing driver Jim Morrill Jr. was in top form at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 10) by winning four races that included a natural hat trick in races six, seven and eight and the top two trots.

In the $11,800 Open I-II, Morrill sent Party Boy Hanover 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 1-½ lengths in a season’s best time of 1:57.4.

It was the third win in five starts for the Credit Winner gelding since coming to Batavia for Party Boy Hanover ($12.40).

PARTY BOY HANOVER REPLAY

Then in the $8,700 mid-level condition trot, Morrill air mailed Keystone Apache 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.

It was the fifth win of the year for the Explosive Matter gelding ($6.10).

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

KEYSTONE APACHE REPLAY

Morrill rounded out his 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, Morrill 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 (Sept. 11) with post time for the first race at 5:00 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.

For full race results, click here.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs