Parker earns 34 points in Batavia's All-Star Drivers Challenge

The $10,000 All-Star Drivers Challenge began Wednesday Night at Batavia Downs Gaming with veteran reinsman Howard Parker in town to drive for charity and for the winner-take-all top prize. He finished with a very respectable 34 points and his drives earned over $400 for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.

For the next seven Wednesday nights a different driver will race at the Downs to compete in the Challenge. Next week, perennial leading Vernon Downs reinsman Howard Okusko Jr. will in Batavia to take his turn in the eight-race competition.

Drivers receive points on where their horses finish in the following manner, nine points for a win, five points for a second, three points for a third, two points for a fourth and one point for a fifth-place finish. In the case a horse they’re scheduled to drive is scratched they will automatically receive two points.

The driver with the highest point total and the end of the competition will take home the $10,000 prize. 

This event is co-sponsored by the Purple Haze stables, the Western New York Harness Horsemen Association and Batavia Downs Gaming.

For the second week in a row the razor sharp 5-year-old mare by Space Shuttle, Spacie Jessie, won the featured $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open at the Downs. With owner James Dunn in the sulky Spacie Jessie was able to wear down pace setting Rakalees N coming off the final turn en route to a 1 1/4-victory in 1:56.1.

The victory was her sixth of the season and it raised her 2008 bankroll to over $35,000. She is trained by the Downs leading conditioner, Ron Beback Jr.  Going off a prohibitive favorite, she returned $3.10 to win. (Batavia Downs)

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