Batavia Downs

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY – It was beautiful evening for harness racing in Western New York as pacers, trotters, and a sizeable crowd gathered for the first Friday of the meet. Patrons enjoyed a 12-race card with two feature races: the eighth race on the card, a Preferred Trot, with a purse of $9,000 and the eleventh, an Open Trot, with a purse of $7,800.

Trotting to victory in Friday's $9,000 feature was Yonkers invader Heaven And Hall with Ray Fisher Jr. at the lines, doing the mile in 1:59.4. Mighty Looker and Kevin Cummings were in for the place, while Hello Carlo with Jack Flanigen made the $152 trifecta. The fractions were 28.4, 58.4, and 1:29.3, respectively. The early stages of the mile was all Hello Carlo and Jack Flanigen who took on all comers but the race was won at the half when the veteran Fisher Jr. was able to find the 2-hole with Heaven and Hall and they simply bided their time in the pocket until angling out at the top of the stretch to score a one-length win. Kevin Cummings and Mighty Looker threatened along the passing lane but had to settle for second. Heaven and Hall is a 7-year-old gelding by Angus Hall. Mark Ford of Campbell Hall owns him and Steven Weaver is the trainer. The winning price of the eighth race was $5.10.

Flamenco Dancer and Tom Agosti got up at the wire in the 11th race by a head, in this evening’s second featured trot. The time of the mile was 2:00.1. Welding Spark D with Jack Flanigen in the sulky landed the exacta, while Jim and Jim Mc Neight were in for the show. The race unfolded with Welding Spark D taking over command at the ¾ mark and opened up 2 at head stretch but a persistent Flamenco Dancer was able to wear him down and score the narrow win. Flamenco Dancer is a 5-year-old bay mare by Tejano. Benjamin Drongosky of Snyder, NY owns her. Alex Giuliani is the trainer. The winning price was $11.20.

Pick-6 is Hit
Thanks to five winning chalks the pick-6 was hit for the first time this season returning $395. The Saturday night pick-6 pool remains guaranteed at $1,000. The pick-6 wager begins in the 7th race.

Be sure to come out tonight, for the Batavia Downs Casino and New York Sire Stakes Glass Giveaway! The first 750 patrons to swipe their Player’s Club Cards beginning at 5 PM will receive a ticket that is redeemable for a free glass after the 7th race! The 64th season is underway at America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track. Enjoy take every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evening. Post time is 6:40. Racing fans wishing to dine in the Clubhouse should call 585-343-3750 to make a reservation.

Photo courtesy Paul White.

Race fans turned out to enjoy the first Wednesday of the meet at America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track, despite the inclement weather that began the night. The evening’s feature event was the seventh race on the card, an open pace for fillies and mares with a purse of $9,000.

Hitting the wire first in that seventh race, was Southwind Prairie with Jim McNeight at the lines, pacing to the mile in 1:58 for her third win of the 2010 season.

In for the place was Newberry Winner with Jamie Dunlap in the sulky to complete the $26.20 exacta. Ray Fisher Jr. and Overseas Tour came in for the show.

The fractions for the 6-horse field were 28.2, 58.4, and 1:28.3, respectively.

The mile began with Jennifers Major getting the trip, but switched the lead with Newberry Winner and fought to regain it just after the ¼ pole. Tom Agosti and Jennifers Major coasted in the lead through the clubhouse turn of the pay-off half, but began to fade after the ¾ pole as Southwind Prairie and Jim Mc Neight took over on the final turn and through the final stretch to pose in the photo of this evening’s feature contest.

Southwind Prairie is a 6-year-old mare by Bettor’s Delight. Karl T. Schoeffel of Evans City, Pa., owns her. Lisa Lederhouse is the trainer. The winning $2 mutuel price was $7.

The 2010 meet at America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track will continue this Friday and Saturday evenings.

This Saturday, July 31, is the Batavia Downs Casino and New York Sire Stakes Glass Giveaway! The first 750 patrons to swipe their Player’s Club Cards beginning at 5 p.m. will receive a ticket that is redeemable for a free glass after the 7th race!

The Western New York harness racing circuit returned to Batavia Downs Casino on Monday, marking the beginning of the 64th season of live racing.

Race fans lined the apron, filled the grandstand and dined in the historic Clubhouse and Rail Bar to catch all of the action from America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track.

The 3-year-old New York Bred Late Closing colt and gelding trotters enhanced the first program of the meet with two contests, the second and the fourth races, each with a purse of $13,100.

Racing to victory in the first Late Closer was Cider With Ice with driver-trainer Dan Daley in the sulky, trotting the mile in a swift 1.59.1. The quarter times for the field were :27.4, :57.4, and 1:28.1, respectively.

Finishing 2-1/2 lengths behind for the place was Womanizer with Gareth Dowse at the lines. Azad Boko with red hot Jack Flanigen in the driver’s seat came in for the show.

The mile began with Womanizer getting the top, but quickly lost the lead to Cider With Ice after the quarter pole and the 3-year-old colt by Credit Winner was never in any real jeopardy from that point.

Ann-Mari Daley, Richard Lombardo, and Albert Crawford own Cider With Ice, now unbeaten with the addition of trotting hobbles. He returned $4.30 to win.

Taking honors for the second stakes race of the evening was Black Licorice with Brian Mattison at the lines, trotting the mile in 2:02.2. Jack Flanigen and Headingforaruckus were close behind for the place, while MC Thunderstruck with Dan Daley showed up third. The quarter times were :30.1, 1:00.4, and 1:31.4, respectively.

Black Licorice took the early lead but was passed by Headingforaruckus shortly after the quarter pole. Flanigen kept the lead until midstretch when Mattison and Black Licorice squeezed in along the passing lane and charged to the win by two lengths. Black Licorice is a 3-year-old gelding by Credit Winner. He is trained by Paul Kelley and owned by East Pond Stable. The winning mutuel price was $17.40.

Live racing will continue this Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track, with our new post time of 6:40 p.m.

The Clubhouse and Rail Bar is now open all race nights serving fine fare, most notably the all-you-can-eat buffet, complete with prime rib, shrimp and crab legs each Friday and Saturday night! To make a reservation, please call 343-3750.

Saturday, July 31 marks the first promotion of the season at Batavia Downs Casino: A Glass Giveaway, co-sponsored by Batavia Downs Casino and the New York Sire Stakes.  The first 750 patrons to swipe their Player’s Club cards beginning at 5 p.m. will receive a ticket that may be redeemed for a glass in the Paddock Room following the 7th race.

Batavia has been a welcome change for veteran catch driver Jack Flanigen, who has been in the sulky since 1984. After resigning in January from his day job of nine years at the New York State Thruway Authority, Flanigen decided to once again pursue his passion as a reinsman full-time.

The decision has indeed paid off, as Flanigen has tallied up 188 wins and $746,158 in purses at the Buffalo meet this year.

Todd Haight, track analyst at Batavia Downs Casino, is optimistic that Flanigen will continue his success when the 64th Season of Live Racing opens this Monday, July 26.

“Flanigen had an excellent meet at Buffalo," Haight said. "Not only has he clinched leading driver honors, but he's had some nice New York Sire Stakes wins. I believe Jack will have an excellent meet here as well."

Due to his success, Flanigen has attracted many drives from leading trainers at Buffalo Raceway, such as Lisa Lederhouse, Bobbi Martin and Larry Clabaugh.

As mentioned, he's also attracted attention from trainers in the New York Sire Stakes program who are already winning with It’s Only Roni, Tuesday’s With Mom and new Buffalo Raceway track record holder Roadside Delight.  
 
One of the highlights of the 2010 season for Flanigen has been the opportunity to be at the reins for veteran 14-year-old trotter Boomer Berman, who has finished first or second in his last 18 starts.

“He’s unreal," Flanigen said. "To be 14 and this good is amazing, he’s a pleasure to drive."
 
Jack Flanigen has had numerous successes at America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track, including leading driver honors multiple times in the mid 1990s.
 
During his 26-year driver career, Flanigen has won 3392 races and has amassed $8.2 million in purse earnings.

Batavia Downs Casino will hold its annual Weiner Dog Races and Family Fun Day on Sunday, Aug. 29.

The whole family is invited to visit with Mr. Scribbles, Pringles the Clown, and get free pony rides 2 to 4 p.m. for the kids. Sahlens hot dogs and sodas will be just $1 at the Paddock Room concession stand beginning at noon.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., the Weiner Dogs will take to the track! Petco of Batavia is the official sponsor of the event and will supply doggy bags to the owners of the participating dogs.

This year, six separate heats will be held with the fastest dachshund that dashes down the track in each heat declared the winner. The winners will be given an opportunity to race in the championship following the final heat and compete for prizes. Last year, Jean Smart’s 2-year-old dachshund, “Jake Arnold," was a narrow winner.

If you would like to enter your dachshund, please contact Arna Tygart at 343-3750, ext 437 beginning July 26.

Batavia Downs has announced a brand-new scholarship race to give away $7,500 for college-bound students. The event will feature students from area schools, accompanied by professional drivers, in a "dash for the cash" on Saturday, Sept. 11.

“We are really pleased to be able to help support the education of students in our community in such a unique way,” said Batavia Downs General Manager Michael D. Kane. “We hope the students who participate not only walk away with scholarship funds, but also a greater understanding of the sport of harness racing.”

The students and their professional driving partners are: Emily Sallome, of Batavia High School, with Mike Pokornowski; Kaley Falkowski, of Batavia High, with Jim Mulcahy; Eric Harrower, of Batavia High, with Ron Beback, Jr.; Michael Norway, of Oakfield Alabama High School, with Mike Baumeister; and Tyler Pingrey, from Notre Dame High School, with Jim Graham.

This summer, the students will attend at least five training sessions at the track with their driver to learn the safety and skills needed to drive a horse. Then between the fourth and fifth live harness races on Sept. 11, they will line up behind the starting gate and compete for scholarships of $3,000, $2,000, $1,200, $800, and $500, depending on their finish.

“Five organizations came together to sponsor these scholarships as an investment in the youth of this community,” Kane said. “This scholarship event is sponsored by the horsemen, breeders, owners, and raceways of Western New York through the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State, the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association, Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs Casino.”

Harness Horse Breeders is partnering with other New York tracks this summer to offer scholarships to students across the state.

Batavia Downs, America’s oldest lighted harness track, opens its 64th racing season on Monday, July 26, for 72 racing dates. Racing will be at the new post time of 6:40 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. There will also be a special 1:15 p.m. post on Sunday, Aug. 29.

For more information, visit <http://www.batavia-downs.com/>.

"Batavia Downs Live," a three-and-a-half hour television broadcast of the harness races from Batavia Downs, returns on July 26 -- opening night of the 2010 season -- at the historic track.

Up to 69 race cards will be televised in the Time-Warner Rochester region on Channel 98. Channel 98 is on Time-Warner's basic digital package. The coverage area extends from portions of eastward Niagara County and through all or most of Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Yates and Steuben counties.

The broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m.,10 mintues before the Downs' new 6:40 p.m. first race post time.

Once again, racing analyst Todd Haight and track announcer Joe Zambito will anchor the broadcast.
 
“We are extremely pleased to be back on Time-Warner,” said Michael D. Kane, vice president of Live Racing and OTB branch operations. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Batavia Downs to once again showcase its live racing product to new customers and to provide our longtime racing fans with the nightly races in the comfort of their homes.”
 
Last year the races were also shown in Erie County and Buffalo.
 
“We continue discussions with Time-Warner in those areas, but as of right now we have no deal in place," Kane said. "Our racing fans should visit our website for any further updates.” <http://www.bataviadownscasino/>
 
Western Regional Off-Track betting, the owner of Batavia Downs, provides telephone betting through its Dial-A-Bet service. Patrons may phone 1-800-724-4000 to establish an account.

July is upon us, and that means the return of pacers and trotters to Batavia Downs Casino.

Opening night is July 26, which not only marks the 64th season of live harness racing at America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track, but a newly expanded stakes schedule.

Batavia is doubling the number of New York Sire Stakes contests it will offer as compared to 2009 and is adding the County Fair Finals for 2- and 3-year-old pacers and trotters.

The 2010 Batavia Downs Casino stakes schedule boasts combined purses in excess of $1 million. Stakes racing culminates with the eighth annual Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace on Oct. 16.

“We are thrilled to see an expanded stakes schedule for 2010,” said Todd Haight, track analyst for Batavia Downs Casino. “I’m confident the New York bred pacers and trotters will bring as much excitement and as many fast miles for our patrons this year as they did in 2009.”

In all, there will be eight New York Sire Stakes and seven New York Late Closers throughout July, August and September at Batavia Downs Casino.

The glamour division, the 3-year-old New York Sire Stakes colt and gelding pacers, are set to race on Saturday, Sept. 4. In 2009, the 3-year-old pacers gave Kenneth J’s all-age track record of 1:52 a scare when Jim Morrill Jr., with OK Braveheart, Handsome Harry, and Hypnotic Blue Chip each did the mile in a sizzling 1:52.2, 1:53 and 1:52.3, respectively. OK Braveheart’s 1:52.2 mile established a new track record for 3-year-olds.

Haight is optimistic that the same level of talent will be showcased this year as well.

Sept. 18 marks a notable day in the 70-year history of Batavia Downs, as the second largest (combined) stakes purses ever will be up for grabs when the 2-year-old filly trotters and 3-year-old colt trotters vie for estimated purses of $280,000. This figure is second only to Armbro Flori’s victory in the Breeders Crown in 1988, which boasted a purse of $286,756.

Another highly anticipated event this year is the Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace, which carried a $40,000 purse in 2009. Scheduled for Oct. 16, Haight believes that the timing is attractive for pacers that want to continue racing after the Oct. 9 Breeders Crown.

“Scheduling the Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace a week after the Breeders Crown could be an attractive option for many of the best horses in all of harness racing,” Haight said.

Last year’s winner, Foiled Again, one of the top pacers in the sport, cruised around the Downs oval in 1:52.3. Matt Kakaley was in the sulky for trainer Ron Burke <http://fanguide.ustrotting.com/dt_stars_profiles.cfm?id=133792>.

For the complete Batavia Downs stakes schedule, visit www.bataviadownscasino.com <http://www.bataviadownscasino.com/>.

The sun is shining and all systems are “go” for the 2010 Tuesday Night Cruises at Batavia Downs Casino.

Cruise director Darrell Mase (pronounced “Mays”) and Batavia’s Lone Wolf Cruisers are supervising the shows in cooperation with Batavia Downs Casino.

Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. in the north end of the BDC parking lot on Park Road (near the OTB Simulcast Center – formerly Matty’s Pizzeria). The cruises will take place every Tuesday – weather permitting - through Aug. 31.

The shows are free and open to cars, trucks and motorcycles. All cruisers receive $5 in casino free play and the chance to win other prizes from the casino’s promotion staff. A cruisin’ soundtrack will be provided by DJ Dennis.

The 4th annual Batavia Showtime horse show has courses for families and people of all ages featuring horse (and pony) jumpers and hunters. It will take place at the infield of the Batavia Downs Casino, at 8315 Park Road., Batavia, and will run from 7:30 a.m. until 5 or 6 p.m.

There are three sets of four-day shows on these dates:

• Thursday, May 20 through Sunday, May 23
• Thursday, June 17 through Sunday, June 20
• Thursday, June 24 through Sunday, June 27

Refreshments and bleacher seating will be available. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Lizabeth Keller at 820-7889 or visit www.tsgequineevents.com.