Jan 17, 2023

JM‘s Delight, Big Box Hanover take Batavia features

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

(Photos courtesy of McKenna Dziemian)

A pair of $13,000 Open I Handicaps — one on the pace and one on the trot — topped a solid and bettable card at Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon (Jan. 16) and those races produced another stout handle as a result.

The pacing feature came first with JM’s Delight putting in another solid effort to remain unbeaten at the Downs in 2023.

Kevin Cummings stayed back fifth off the gate while longshots lunged for the lead. The 21-1 Walk It Talk It (Jim McNeight Jr.) parked the 20-1 Tap Tap Tap (Christian Meyers) while Daylight Rush (Dave McNeight III) got caught in the breeze second over. After hitting the quarter in :27.3 and neither looking to relent, Jim Morrill Jr. tipped Decoy three-deep at the top of the stretch and was followed by JM’s Delight from fifth. However not to be outdone, Larry Stalbaum flashed Rocknroll Runa A four-wide to grab the front past the half and took the group into the second circuit.

Moving by the five-eighths, JM’s Delight was forced to go three-deep around Decoy before drawing alongside Rocknroll Runa A halfway up the backside. With Cummings and Stalbaum both rocking hard in their bikes, JM’s Delight cleared at three-quarters before heading into the turn and opening up a 3-1/2 length advantage at the top of the stretch. From there, JM’s Delight ran away with the race by 5-1/2 lengths at the line where he stopped the clock in 1:54.4.

Peerless at the meet to this point, JM’s Delight ($3.10) is now two for two for owner Greg Merton and trainer Shawn McDonough.

Cummings and McDonough also teamed up earlier in the card to win with I’m Thinking (2:01.1, $10.60), giving each a double for the day.

The top trot came next and Stalbaum got redemption after receiving a wholesale effort from Big Box Hanover who...

Tuesday’s “Lock” is at Northfield Park on race 07 with the #5-Be A Lucky Star -Drop and pop-Also gets new driver in Aaron Merriman.

Last Lock won again making the pick record at 1036 of 1646 wins with 296 seconds and 111 thirds.

Thank you for wagering at IdaBet.com!

Jan 16, 2023

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, January 18, 2023)

Race 1: #4 Glorious Lover, #3 Concerto, #2 Blustitch, #9 Fortune Master
Race 2: #9 Jolly Honour, #1 Flash Famous, #4 Medic Elite, #5 Our Creed
Race 3: #7 Winning Steps, #2 Bright Kid, #6 Vincy, #10 Management Folks
Race 4: #8 King Of The Court, #6 Island Surprise, #4 Faribault, #11 Flying On The Turf
Race 5: #3 Flaming Passion, #12 Noir Rider, #1 Sugar Sugar, #2 Rattan Kingdom
Race 6: #2 Villa Fionn, #8 Young Life Forever, #11 Theta Hedge, #3 Viva Popcorn
Race 7: #12 Samarkand, #3 Zone D, #6 Happy Daily, #11 Master Tornado
Race 8: #2 California Deeply, #4 Gorgeous Vitality, #3 Harmony N Blessed, #5 Pretty Queen Prawn

Race 1: Murray Handicap (1st Section)

4 Glorious Lover needs a lot to go his way but he does have the ability to win in this grade and over the distance. Strong booking of Karis Teetan warrants consideration, especially from an ideal draw in Class 5. #3 Concerto also steps down in grade. He’s better than his record suggests and the booking of Silvestre de Sousa is ideal. If he’s a price, he’s worth supporting. #2 Blustitch makes the dip to Class 5. His trials have been sound and it wouldn’t surprise to see improvement. #9 Fortune Master is next best.

Race 2: Murray Handicap (2nd Section)

9 Jolly Honour is a two-time Class 3 winner racing in Class 5. If he can reproduce his best – which his latest effort seemed to show glimpses of – then he’s more than capable of winning here. Strong booking of Hugh Bowman is a bonus. #1 Flash Famous is holding his condition. He just needs to offset the tricky draw. #4 Medic Elite is racing well and is capable of turning his last-start failure around. #5 Our Creed regularly catches the eye of top riders in Hong Kong. He draws well and must have claims.

Race 3: Jackson Handicap

7 Winning Steps had much more to offer last start than what he was...

Monday’s “Lock” is at Batavia on race 12 with the #2-Century Endeavor -Inside post to win here.- Brett Beckwith drives.

Last Lock was 2nd and the pick record is at 1035 of 1645 wins with 296 seconds and 111 thirds.

Happy wagering and thank you for choosing IdaBet.com!

SHA TIN SELECTIONS BY DECLAN SCHUSTER
(Sunday, January 15, 2023)

Race 1: #4 Compulsory, #2 Fighting Star, #5 Sunshine Legendary, #9 Euromissile
Race 2: #6 Wins All, #1 Star Of Yuen Long, #11 The Good Deal, #9 Super Kingdom
Race 3: #1 Regency Bo Bo, #5 Daring Pursuit, #2 Brave Dreams, #8 Hurry Hurry Rich
Race 4: #2 Universal Horizon, #3 Multisuper, #13 Super Highway, #6 Denfield
Race 5: #11 Speed Fay Fay, #2 Millennium Falcon, #7 Owners’ Praise, #12 Joyful Genius
Race 6: #4 Sparky Star, #3 Function Patch, #13 My Intelligent, #6 Fast Buck
Race 7: #9 Victory Moments, #7 We Are Hero, #2 Metro Warrior, #5 Pleasant Endeavor
Race 8: #12 Happy Together, #4 Voyage Bubble, #14 Happy Day, #7 Secret Vision
Race 9: #5 Ready To Win, #8 Pulsar Strider, #3 Naboo Legend, #12 Dream Pursuer
Race 10: #7 Navas Two, #5 Galaxy Witness, #12 Tuchel, #8 Tianchi Monster

Race 1: Hung Shui Kiu Handicap

4 Compulsory looks sound and did trial impressively recently. He looks well placed here stepping down to Class 5, which is more than suitable. He gets his chance. #2 Fighting Star has shown glimpses of ability at times. He draws favourably which should ensure he gets the run of the race. #5 Sunshine Legendary is a big threat. He’s tracking towards a first win and does shape as a solid each way prospect due to his powerful closing speed. #9 Euromissile gets Zac Purton aboard. Suspect he’s closing in on a first win.

Race 2: Kam Tin Handicap

6 Wins All steps away from a favourable draw which he requires to show his best. Expect he can take up a forward position on the rail which should ensure he gets the run of the race. He hasn’t won for a while but this should pan out in favour of him. #1 Star Of Yuen Long has the class edge. He’s been competitive in the grades above and he won’t know himself in Class 5. #11 The Good Deal is tracking towards a first win. Karis Teetan’s pairing is...

Friday’s “Lock” is at Northfield Park on race 12 with the #3-Smothastenesewisky -Another Drop and Pop-Parked from 8 hole last out. Aaron Merriman drives.

Last Lock was off the board. The pick record is at 1033 of 1642 wins with 295 seconds and 111 thirds.

Have a great day and thank you for your support of IdaBet.com!