The in-house simulcast of race cards for the remainder of the 2010 Batavia Downs Casino harness meet in the Buffalo viewing area have been canceled.
The announcement was made Tuesday by Michael D. Kane, vice president, Operations and Live Racing.
“Due to unforeseen contractual obligations, WGRZ/Universal Sports/Buffalo was unable to carry the required number of Batavia Downs Casino live racing simulcasts," Kane said in a news release.
"We have, therefore, canceled our agreement with WGRZ in the Buffalo viewing area for the balance of the 2010 harness racing schedule. Live racing from Batavia will continue in the Rochester market."
The Batavia races will continue to be featured on Channel 98 on Time-Warner’s basic digital package in the Rochester market. The coverage area includes all or parts of Genesee, Orleans, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Yates and Steuben counties.
In the Buffalo area, the races had been carried on Channel 114 on Time-Warner (Channel 111 in Olean), WGRZ Digital Channel 2-2 and Verizon Fios Channel 460. The coverage area included all or parts of Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties.
Kane reminds harness fans that race replays are available on the OTB website (www.westernotb.com <http://www.westernotb.com>) and OTB provides telephone betting through its Dial-A-Bet service. Patrons may phone 1-800-724-4000 to establish an account.
Batavia Downs Casino is owned and operated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation. In addition to being America’s oldest lighted harness track, the facility at 8315 Park Road is home to over 600 of the most popular slots and Grandstands Bar & Grille.
