Davila, Grabowski do battle

John Davila Jr. has been the leading rider at Finger Lakes for the past seven seasons. But with six weeks to go in the 2009 meet, Davila is in danger of being dethroned by John Grabowski.

Grabowski, a six-time riding champion at Finger Lakes, hasn't finished atop the standings since 2001. Heading into Monday's races, though, Grabowski held a 135-133 advantage over Davila.

The race for leading rider continues Tuesday afternoon, when both jockeys figure to play prominent roles in two of the three allowance races on a nine-race card that begins at 1:10 p.m. Eastern.

In race 6, a six-furlong, second-level allowance for fillies and mares, Davila is named on both parts of a coupled entry for leading trainer Chris Englehart.

Englehart, who is more than 40 wins ahead of runner-up M. Anthony Ferraro with 123 victories through Friday's racing, can choose between the 3-year-old Seek On, who cleared her first allowance condition two starts ago, and Blue Devil Bel, who would be making her Finger Lakes debut after moving from the Belmont barn of Christophe Clement.

Grabowski is named on Scott's Choice, a 4-year-old trained by Chris Englehart's son, Jeremiah. Scott's Choice has won 2 of her last 3, both while running for a claiming price.

In the eighth race at a mile and 70 yards, a second-level allowance for New York-breds also open to $10,000 claimers, Davila will have his pick of riding Kiss and Fly for Chris Englehart or Junkanoo Party, a sharp winner at the bottom $4,000 claiming level who steps way up while making her first start off a claim for George Beech.

Davila has been the regular rider of Kiss and Fly, a 3-year-old who won at this same level three starts ago and will run for the optional $10,000 claiming price.

Grabowski has a mount on the contender Makani, who also is in the for the price after winning at this same level a month ago.

Davila also has a good shot in race 7, a first-level allowance for New York-breds going 5 1/2 furlongs. He will ride Thunderized, a 3-year-old who makes the third start of his current form cycle for Chris Englehart.

Grabowski does not have a mount in the field of six.