Batavia Downs

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced they will be putting on their second annual Bourbon and Whiskey Fest on Saturday, June 8^th. The event will run from 4 to 7 p.m. as the event will coincide with the Belmont Stakes Triple Crown race.

A commemorative glass will also be available for the first 100 persons to arrive. 

Former Buffalo Football Player and Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas will be in attendance. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit the Thurman Thomas Family Foundation.

Tickets are $40 and include $15 Free Play, a T-shirt, a custom cocktail from Black Button Distillery and Four Roses Bourbon and sampling from more than 20 different brands of bourbon and whiskey. Complementary Grazing Stations will be on hand as well.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, February 22^nd, at 10 a.m. on Bataviaconcerts.com and at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop. Tickets for Designated Drivers are just $25 and include everything listed above except the cocktails and sampling. All attendees MUST be 21 years of age or older.

“We’re excited to hold our Bourbon Fest again and to donate a portion of the proceeds to Thurman Thomas’ Family Foundation,” said Henry Wojtaszek, CEO/president of Batavia Downs Gaming.

“Our guests really enjoyed sampling all kinds of different bourbons and whiskeys, so much so that we’ve added many of them to the new Gatsby Bar. We look forward to another great event.”

Betting windows with live mutuels tellers will be open so attendees may bet on the day’s races. The track apron will be open where guests can purchase cigars or visit area food trucks that will be on hand for the event.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel announced part of their onsite plans for the upcoming Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4^th.

The Second Annual Derby Gala will take place in the Batavia Downs Gaming Grandstands Banquet Room on the second floor. Admission for the Derby Gala at the Downs is $75 per person and proper attire is required.

Guests MUST be 21 years of age or older to attend. Guests will receive an open bar from 4:30 to 7 p.m., grazing stations, a $10 wager on the Derby, $25 in Free Play and a free Derby Program.

There will also be televisions showing the days’ races and mutuel clerks for patrons to place wagers. A best dressed contest and best hat contest will take place with prizes from the Hotel at Batavia Downs and Four Roses Bourbon.

Tickets will go on sale tomorrow -- Wednesday, Feb. 20^th at 10am -- on Bataviaconcerts.com and at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop. Tickets are very limited.

The hotel at Batavia Downs will be offering a special VIP rate for those who wish to add an overnight stay to their Derby experience. Use promo code KD5419. Tickets to the event and a hotel room are to be purchased separately.

“We’re looking forward to another great day of events surrounding the Run for the Roses,“ said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming. “The success of the Derby Gala last year adds to the already tremendous day of wagering and entertainment that our guests have come to expect from Batavia Downs.”

Details on the other two, non-ticketed parties on Derby Day will be announced at a later time.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced they will be putting on their very own Woodstock Tribute with “BATAVIASTOCK,” taking place on Saturday, July 20th. The show will consist of five tribute bands of artists who played at the original Woodstock Festival and will be headlined by Melanie, who actually performed at Woodstock in 1969.

Other performers include: Green River Revival – A Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute, Abraxas – a Santana and Sly & the Family Stone Tribute, The Who Show – a Who Tribute, and Piece of My Heart – a Janis Joplin Tribute.

Concert Headliner Melanie hails from Queens and was one of only three women who performed solo at Woodstock in the summer of '69, playing on the first day of the festival. Known for her hits "Brand New Key," "Ruby Tuesday," "What Have They Done to My Song Ma," and "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," she continues to perform across the country. She will be joined by her daughter, Layla.

Tickets will be available at www.BataviaConcerts.com beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14th. Individual pre-ale tickets will be $10 for General Admission while VIP tickets will again be just $15. Concertgoers will be able to purchase tickets in the Premium Section directly in front of the stage for $20. Tickets can also be purchased at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop located in the lobby.

“With the original Woodstock festival celebrating its 50th anniversary, we were inspired to put on an event that showcases tribute acts from that iconic concert,” said Henry Wojtaszek, CEO/president of Batavia Downs Gaming. “We are so pleased to welcome Melanie, who performed at the original Woodstock, to our stage as well.”

Hotel room/ticket packages will be available. Purchase of a hotel room on the night of a concert using the code BS720 includes two VIP tickets to the show while supplies last. Each concert ticket is also redeemable once at Player’s Club in the three days following the concert for $10 Free Play to be used on one of Batavia Downs Gaming’s 800+ gaming machines. The concert is held Rain or Shine. Additional information may be found at www.BataviaConcerts.com under the BataviaStock event.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel announced the official opening of its new Gatsby bar with a ribbon cutting on Friday at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. The Gatsby bar is located just outside Fortune’s restaurant and will feature high-end bourbons, gins and other spirits along with other handcrafted cocktails. 

“We’re excited for guests to check out the Gatsby Bar for quick drink or appetizer before dinner in Fortune’s,“ said Vice President of Operations Scott Kiedrowski. “Alternatively it’s a nice place to get a quiet drink if 34 Rush is busy with sports or live entertainment.”

The bar will also feature New York State Lottery Games like Quickdraw and will have a self-service terminal to place horse wagers.

“This is the first phase to open of our new expansion,“ said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO. “This and those that follow will better serve our valued guests.”

Expansions for more seating at Thurman’s 34 Rush and Fortunes are due to open in the following months. A new look inside the “Park Place,” formerly known as the Paddock Room, is near completion.

“This is another banner day in the history of our facility,“ said COO Michael Nolan. “We pride ourselves on customer service and giving our guests what they want. Our expansions continue to make the facility a premier entertainment destination.”

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced the lineup for their third annual Rockin’ the Downs concert series, which take place outside on the racetrack, with eight consecutive Friday dates, starting in June and running into August.

Kicking off the series on Friday, June 21^st is Grammy Award-winning rock band Survivor. Best known for the double-platinum-certified song "Eye of the Tiger," Survivor’s massive hits also include "Burning Heart," "The Search Is Over," "High On You," "Is This Love," and "I Can’t Hold Back." This Academy Award-nominated band has had 18 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 during their storied career.

Next up, on Friday, June 28^th is classic rock band Queensrÿche. With more than 30 million albums sold worldwide, Queensrÿche continues to tour the globe to sold-out audiences. The band has earned multiple Grammy Award nominations, and won the MTV “Viewer’s Choice” award for the #1 chart-topping hit "Silent Lucidity." Even with 11 gold and platinum plaques and several Top 10 hard rock anthems under their belt, Queensrÿche consistently delivers high-octane live shows combining the hungry fire of a new band with the tempered experience of master showmen.

On Friday, July 5^th Canadian rock icon Kim Mitchell takes the stage in Batavia. A gifted and peer-respected guitar player as well as an acclaimed songwriter, Mitchell has recorded many hits, including "Go For Soda," "Rock 'N 'Roll Duty," "Patio Lanterns," "I am a Wild Party," "Easy To Tame," and "All We Are," to name just a few. Mitchell has achieved gold and multiplatinum sales status over a long and storied career that focused on “alternative” and "independent” long before the words became clichés.

Rocking the stage on Friday, July 12^th is singer Steve Augeri. Best known as the lead vocalist for the rock group Journey from 1998-2006, Augeri headlined an eight-year tenure that included three albums, and brought one of the world’s most accomplished melodic rock groups back to the stage for multiple world tours to millions of adoring fans. Augeri promises to bring his high-energy mix of new music as well as material from his career to the Downs.

Gin Blossoms performs on Friday, July 19^th. Hailing from Tempe, Ariz., the band hit the big time with their first major label album, "New Miserable Experience," which went quadruple platinum, and gave us the hit single "Hey Jealousy." Other hits from the Grammy-nominated band include "Follow You Down," "Mrs. Rita," "Found Out About You," "Pieces Of The Night," and "‘Til I Hear It From You." Gin Blossoms remain a rare breed, continuing to create, craft and perform their glorious catalog of material.

Friday, July 26^th sees Kenny Wayne Shepherd at the Downs. Synonymous with the phrase “young blues rock guitarist," Shepherd has established himself as an immensely popular recording artist, a consistently in-demand live act, and an influential force in the worldwide resurgence of interest in the blues. The Louisiana-born axeman and songsmith has sold millions of albums, shining a light on the rich blues of the past while forging ahead with his own twist on a classic sound he has embodied since his teens.

Country music royalty Tanya Tucker will rock the Downs on Friday, Aug. 2^nd. Named one of CMT’s 40 Greatest Women of Country Music, this Academy of Country Music Award-winning and Grammy-nominated singer’s number-one hits include "Delta Dawn," "Blood Red and Goin’ Down," "Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)," "Lizzie and the Rainman," "San Antonio Stroll," "Here’s Some Love," and "Strong Enough to Bend."

Closing out the series on Friday, Aug. 9^th is Theory of a Deadman. Hailing from Delta, British Columbia, Canada, Theory, as they are known, has turned their hard rock/alternative sound into eight top 10 hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, including three number-one tracks in "Bad Girlfriend," "Lowlife" and "Rx (Medicate)."

Tickets for all eight concerts will be available at www.BataviaConcerts.com beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 8^th.

Individual presale tickets to each concert will remain at $10 for General Admission, while VIP tickets will again be $25. For the first time, concertgoers will be able to purchase tickets in the Premium Section directly in front of the stage. Premium tickets are $50 and will be very limited for each concert. General Admission tickets are $15 if purchased on the day of the concert. Tickets can also be purchased at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop located in the lobby.

Concertgoers will once again have the option of purchasing a “Season Pass,” which includes admission to all eight concerts at a discounted rate. The Season Pass for 2019 is $60 for General Admission and $150 for VIP.

“We are very excited to once again host the region’s premier concert series, which includes another great lineup of musical icons,” said Henry Wojtaszek, CEO/president of Batavia Downs Gaming.

“We hope the community will continue to enjoy what has been an entertaining and affordable event each year. It’s great to see the community come together for a series that everyone can be a part of.”

Hotel room/ticket packages will be available for each concert. Purchase of a hotel room on the night of a concert using the code includes two VIP tickets to the show while supplies last. Each concert ticket is also redeemable once at Player’s Club in the three days following the concert for $10 Free Play to be used on one of Batavia Downs Gaming’s 800+ gaming machines.

Concerts are held Rain or Shine. Additional information may be found at www.BataviaDownsGaming.com.

Photo by Howard Owens.

Press release:

Today Henry F. Wojtaszek, president/CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming and Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTB), made the following statement regarding today’s proposed sports betting regulations by the New York State Gaming Commission.

“While we’re gratified the State Gaming Commission took the first step in authorizing sports betting in New York State, we think it’s important our million-plus customers and all Western New York sports fans and communities benefit from sports betting opportunities in their own back yard. Sports betting should be allowed at Western Regional Off-Track Betting (WROTB) and at OTB’s around the state.

"As currently proposed, a Bills fan would have to go to a Native American casino or drive 90 minutes to place a bet on the Bills. That’s not exactly convenient, and it won’t provide critical tax revenue to local governments.

“As the only municipally owned and operated a gaming facility in New York State, WROTB is not just a strong economic driver for Western New York, but we provide critical funding for community development, which creates jobs, protects families and helps to offset tax increases for residents.

“The more revenue we generate, the more we give back to communities. Since our inception, we have generated more than $226 million to 17 municipalities – legalizing sports betting in our region would only increase these important contributions.

"We look forward to working with officials on both sides of the aisle and the New York State Gaming Commission to ensure Western New Yorkers don’t miss out on this opportunity to create hundreds of jobs, enhance our tourism industry, and allow millions of dollars in investment to flow through our neighborhoods.”

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel is announcing that due to the severe wind weather warning currently forecast for this evening, they will be moving up the time for their New Year’s Eve fireworks show to 9 p.m. from the previously scheduled midnight start.

“In order to ensure the safety of our valued guests and at the advice of our fireworks vendor we have decided to move up the showtime,” said Henry Wojtaszek, CEO/president at Batavia Downs Gaming.

Those wishing to see the fireworks may do so by exiting the building by the Homestretch Grill, or by viewing them inside via the enclosed Grandstands on the second floor.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The 67-night session of harness racing at Batavia Downs for 2018 wrapped up on Saturday (Dec. 15) with both highs and lows being noted. 

Whereas many competitive races were witnessed over the oldest lighted harness track in America, fewer races overall affected the Downs handle for the meet. The main reason for fewer races was a lack of available horses to race. 

In 2018 only 672 races were filled compared to 806 in 2017 and due to 134 less races (a 16-percent reduction) the handle also finished down 11.2 percent. 

“The reduction of races was due to the decreased amount of horses in the area," said Todd Haight, director/manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs.  "And we had a number of short fields trying to fill out race cards besides. Both of these factors played havoc with our numbers.” 

“However I also feel the numbers are a bit skewed since we were coming off a record season last year. That said, we are excited about the 2019 meet.”

There were three cards cancelled during the meet: two for lack of entries and one for weather-related issues. 

Although fewer races were held, the ones that went on provided excellent competition on the track and wagering opportunities for Downs' customers. 

Eight visits by the New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) during the summer months and a visit by the great Foiled Again were highlights of the meet and drew large crowds trackside. 

On the track Drew Monti took the driving title, garnering 122 wins for the meet and earning $724,847 in purses. This was Monti’s second driving title in the last three years at Batavia. 

Kevin Cummings finished second with 102 wins and Billy Davis Jr. was third with 99.

JD Perrin grabbed his fourth training trophy as a result of sending out 61 winners who earned $333,348. Perrin finished ahead of James Clouser Jr. who had 43 wins and Shawn McDonough who registered 29. 

Five track records were broken over the six-month run. 

Standards for 2-year-old pacing colt (Melodies Major, 1:54.1), 3-year-old trotting gelding and all-aged trotting (Winning Shadow, 1:53.4), aged trotting mare (Chelsea’s Chance, 1:56.1) and trotting under saddle (No Recess, 2:02.1) were all rewritten at the Genesee County oval. 

And possibly the biggest news of the meet was the announcement that Batavia Downs was named the host track for the NYSS Night of Champions that will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14. That night also marks the return of the Downs' signature race, the $50,000 Kane Memorial Pace, making it the richest night of harness racing ever offered in Western New York. 

The 65-card meet will kick off on Wednesday (July 24) pending state approval of the dates.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced the lineup for their late winter and spring indoor tribute shows, with one concert each month featuring music from great artists.

The Paddock Room will play host to ZBTB, based out of Rochester. ZBTB is the nation’s premier Zac Brown Tribute Band. The band captures the true Zac Brown experience. They will play on Saturday, Jan. 19^th.

Friday, Feb. 8^th is the date for the Soul Brothers – a Blues Brothers Tribute from London, Ontario, Canada. Real-life brothers Chris and Geoff Dahl have been performing as the iconic duo for 25 years. The show features songs from the Blues Brothers, James Brown, Ray Charles, the Righteous Brothers, Sam and Dave and more!

Next up, on Saturday, March 23^rd, Batavia Downs welcomes Music of the Stars – A  Tribute to Eight Internationally Famous Artists Such as Neil Diamond, Tom Jones, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Bee Gees, Roy Orbison, Gary Puckett and Elvis. Music of the Stars has achieved a reputation of excellence, owing to its committed and talented team members and mentors.

21 Gun Salute –  AC/DC Tribute takes the stage on Saturday, April 6^th. 21 GUN SALUTE is undoubtedly one of the premiere AC/DC reviews ever assembled. The band plays true homage to AC/DC’s high voltage rock 'n' roll. Every detail has been painstakingly reproduced, from the Hell’s Bell stage props to Angus Young’s schoolboy outfit and signature live antics and lead singer’s dead-on vocal rendition of both Bon Scott and Brian Johnson.

$10 General Admission tickets went on sale at www.BataviaConcerts.com for each show today, Dec. 18^th. Each ticket is redeemable on the gaming floor the day of the concert or the next day for $10 in Free Play. Tickets can also be purchased in person at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel at their “Lucky Treasures” Gift Shop located in the lobby. Seating availability varies for each concert, full details are available on the website.

“Following the success of our fall tribute shows, including several sellouts, we are excited to continue booking these events to entertain our guests,” said Henry Wojtaszek, CEO/president at Batavia Downs Gaming.

“With ticket prices again set at a reasonable $10, getting $10 back in Free Play, we’re trying to make sure everyone can enjoy these great tribute shows and visit our newly renovated facility.”

About Batavia Downs/WROTB

Owned and operated by 15 Western New York counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, Western Region Off-Track Betting Corporation is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia. WROTB owns and operates 29 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility. Since its inception, Western Region OTB has generated more than $215 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of those participating municipalities.