Press Release:
Batavia, NY --- When racing resumes on Wednesday night (Nov. 25) there will be only five live racing programs left in the 2009 season at Batavia Downs Casino. This will also be the final Wednesday of the meet. Post time is 7:05 p.m. The 63rd Summer-Fall meet concludes on December 5.
“We’re expecting a nice crowd tomorrow night,” Michael D. Kane, Vice President of Live Racing said. “The night before Thanksgiving has always been a good night for us, and with our Wednesday night clubhouse special still going (purchase one clubhouse buffet at the regular price and get $10 back in Casino free play) I expect it to be busy.”
“We’re also playing the $500 Odd/Even Challenge on Wednesday,” Kane added. This is a handicapping game where one Player’s Club member could win up to $500. Sign-up begins at 5:30 p.m. at Players Club.
October award winners
Jack Flanigen, Sherri Holliday and the talented pacer New York Prime were honored as October driver, trainer and horse of the month.
The 43-year-old reinsman Jack Flanigen led all drivers in October with 33 wins. He also had 25 seconds and 15 thirds in 164 starts. His UDR was .316 and his drives earned $114,811.
Flanigen missed the entire 2008 Batavia Downs meet due to an injury suffered at Buffalo Raceway. He’s currently the second leading driver at the 2009 summer-fall meet, behind only Kevin Cummings.
Sherri Holliday continued with her hot hand and was named trainer of the month for the second month in a row. A perennial leading conditioner on the Western New York circuit, she won 16 races with seven seconds and five thirds from 62 starters. Her win percentage for the month was 25.8 and her UTR was .348. She’s currently the leading trainer at the Summer-Fall meet.
New York Prime took home horse of the month honors. The 6-year-old son of Bettor's Delight had a spectacular October. In five starts he had four wins and a second. Two of those wins came in the Open Handicap.
New York Prime is currently tied for the most wins at the summer-fall meet with seven. His 18 wins this season makes him one of North America’s winningest horses.
New York Prime is owned Richey Edward Myers, Jeffry Myers, Robert Marsjanik and Robert Stern. Alex Guiliani is the trainer.
Tim Bojarski, President of the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association, made a special winner's circle presentation. Each award winner receives an embroidered tote bag with their name on it.
Many thanks go out to Tim Bojarski and everyone associated with the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association for making these monthly awards possible.
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino
Photo: Alex Guiliani, Robert Marsjanik, Robert Stern, Richey Edward Myers, Todd Haight, Sherri Holliday, Jack Flanigen, Tim Bojarski. Photo by Paul White.
