Batavia: Betting mark crushed, six-bagger for Morrill Jr. in 2024 opener

The 2024 winter meet kicked off at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 4), and the wagering success the track realized last year picked up right where it left off as a new single card handle record was set during opening day. Betting from all sources totalled $390,922, and that easily topped the old record of $348,205 set last February.

"We had great weather for the opener and featured a very competitive group of horses on the track, making the card very bettable and that was a recipe for success. The track was in great shape, as was our facility to host our live crowd. It was a total team effort, and I thank everyone for their support," said Don Hoover, Director of Live Racing at Batavia Downs.

The track was definitely fast and was that evident in the co-featured $15,000 Open I Handicap pace where Twin B Tuffenuff ($7.70) flexed his muscle on the point to turn in the fastest mile of the incipient meet.

Jim Morrill Jr. sent Twin B Tuffenuff to the front and he was quickly joined by Lanjo Lee (Kyle Cummings), who would then be parked out for the rest of the mile. The two paced side by side through quarters of 28 1/5, 55 3/5 and 1:24 2/5, but Lanjo Lee finally tired, leaving Twin B Tuffenuff to open up around the last turn. Twin B Tuffenuff pulled away by three lengths in the stretch before Morrill Jr. wrapped him up and crossed the line in 1:54 2/5.

Twin B Tuffenuff is owned by Patrick Morris and trained by John Hallett.

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Hallett and Morrill also won the fastest trot of the day with Esa ($2.30), who schooled a full field of mid-level conditioners by pulling away to a 11 1/4 length victory in 1:55 4/5.

Morrill Jr. ended up taking a six pack home after he won four more races with Friday Night Blues (1:55 3/5, $4.60), Dark Matter (1:57, $4.20), Blogmaster (1:57, $7.80) and Timeto Communicate (1:56 2/5, $6.10).

The co-featured $15,000 Open I trot was won by Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum). Big Box Hanover led from the gate to three-quarters where Comeonover Hanover (Billy Dobson) had pulled from fifth and was even with the leader heading into the final bend. The two then trotted tumultuously around that last turn and then all the way to the line where Big Box Hanover gained a neck advantage and won in 1:56 3/5.

Big Box Hanover ($2.60) is owned by his driver Stalbaum, who also trains the trotter.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 8) at 3 p.m.

--press release (Batavia)--