Ziegfield gets a perfect trip at Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY --- Ziegfeld and driver Jim Morrill, Jr. let others do the dirty work for the first three-quarters of a mile but when it was time to respond, they did just that in the $9,000 Open trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night.

Paul White

Ziegfeld, nearest the camera, came from off the pace to win on Friday

Ziegfeld ($7.70) sat patiently, second-over past the three-quarters pole as the pacesetting Bailey's Magic and Typical New Yorker battled to that station in 1:28.3. But as the field turned for home Morrill tipped Ziegfeld three-wide and easily trotted away to the one length victory over Perfect Man (Dave McNeight III) and Touch Me (Shawn Gray), in 1:59.

Owned by JML Stables of Heathrow, Fla., Ziegfeld has now recorded seven wins in 32 starts and increased his earning to $44,562 on the season. Gerry Sarama trains the winner.

A nasty spill occurred in the 11th race when Dawn Of Trey And driver Kevin Cummings appeared to hit the wheel of the tiring pacesetter, Rick's Jackpot (Jim McNeight), and went down. Both horses and drivers walked off under their own power.

Vernon Downs
The capable colt Helios remained undefeated in his young career following Friday night’s 1:57.2 triumph in the $24,200 Late Bloomer Series Final for 3- and 4-year-old trotters at Vernon Downs. Making just his fourth career start, Helios ($4.40) followed Celebrity Obsesion and Zanna Royal off the starting gate, and remained in third to the half in :57.2. The sophomore son of Muscles Yankee--Enjoy The Sun advanced to second in the far turn, and then turned it on in the stretch, drawing away to win by two lengths. Following preliminary series scores here in 2:00.1 and 1:56.1, respectively, Friday’s title tally was the fourth overall for the career winner of $20,400, who is owned by the Little E, LLC contingent. Driver Chris Lems went on to complete Friday’s 12-race card with four first place finishes, while trainer Jessica Okusko recorded three tallies. Leading Downs driver Rick Plano picked up two victories and a training credit during the program, while Jonathan Roberts recorded his second driving double of Vernon’s 81-program meeting. Roberts was at the controls in Friday’s first race, the week’s $11,000 Open trot, and steered the favorite Scorpion Moon ($2.70) to a front-striding, 1:56.1 triumph for co-owner and trainer Tracy Brainard and her partner, Andrew Herzog. It marked the sixth local score, 11th season’s win and 90th all-time victory for the gritty 11-year-old gelding who has banked nearly $948,000 during his industrious career.

The Meadows
Returning to his stomping grounds after a disappointing road trip, Sir Caviar regained his form with a narrow victory in Friday’s $22,500 Preferred Handicap trot at The Meadows. Long dominant among The Meadows trotting elite, Sir Caviar traveled to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs for a Sept. 29 winners-over event but was a faltering sixth as the 7-10 favorite. Friday, the 6-year-old SJ’s Caviar--Sierra Flower K gelding grabbed the early lead for Brian Zendt, thwarted the first-over challenge of Winning Mister and held off TSM Photo Bugger by a nose in 1:53.3. Jessesjo rallied for show. Leslie Zendt trains Sir Caviar, who vaulted over $500,000 in career earnings, and owns with Bill Zendt. Armbros Revenge A and Dan Rawlings provided the evening’s toteboard fireworks when they charged home to capture a $5,000 claiming race at 89-1 and return $180.20 for a $2 win ticket. Gerald Lee, Jr. trains and owns the 13-year-old Armbro Operative--Family Revenge gelding. Brian Zendt drove five winners on the 15-race card while Dave Palone fashioned a four-bagger, including three victories for trainer Ron Burke. Saturday’s program at The Meadows features eight Pennsylvania Fair Finals, each carrying a purse of $20,000. Post time will be at 6:55 p.m., eastern.

Saratoga
Rompaway Alvin won his first Open trot at Saratoga Casino and Raceway on Friday night. Jim Devaux piloted the 7-year-old trotter for trainer Jim Doherty, Jr. as he went first-over in the $22,470 trotting feature. Rompaway Alvin toughed it out on the outside for the entire second half of the mile before drawing clear late in the stretch to record the win in 1:58.1. Credit Blues (Dan Cappello, Jr.) held on for second while Jeanie Marie (Billy Dobson) closed for third. Rompaway Alvin has now hit the board in all three of his local tries and recorded his eighth victory of the year in the Friday feature. Live racing will continue on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m., eastern.