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'Current Ca Ching' won the Open Trot at Batavia Downs on Friday

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Current Ca Ching went gate-to-wire and held off the challenges of Go Jesse Go and the favored Kash N Credit to win the $9,000 Open Trot at Batavia Downs Friday night.

Leaving off the two-hole, Current Ca Ching ($7.40) went the mile in 1:59.1 after posting fractions of :28.3, :57.4 and 1:28 for winning driver Keith Kash Jr.

It was a blanket finish as Current Ca Ching was able to hold off the late charge of pocket sitting Go Jesse Go, who was beaten by quarter of a length at the wire. Kash N Credit, who was parked the entire mile, lost by just a length and a quarter.

It was the seventh win of the season of Current Ca Ching and second in his last three starts. Current Ca Ching is owned by Rocco Stebbins, of Rochester, and trained by Ron Stebbins.

Shawn Gray notched a three-bagger on the night while four drivers all scored doubles, Kevin Cummings, Ray Fisher Jr., Jim McNeight and Keith Kash Jr.

Darrin Monti and Bob Gruber III each had a double on the training side.

Tonight's the kick-off of the 2012 Batavia Downs stakes season when three-year-old trotting fillies taking center stage in three divisions of the New York Sires Stakes. Post is 6:25 p.m. for the 14-race program.

Also carded this evening are five divisions of th Excelsior Series, with each worth more than $12,000.

Racing fans unable to attend the races can watch the all the action from Batavia Downs via streaming video at www.bataviadownscasino.com. Simply click on the “Live Racing” section and then on the “Video” link.

New York Sire Stakes kick off Saturday night at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Three-year-old trotting fillies will square off in three divisions to open the local New York Sire Stake season on Saturday night, July 28 at Batavia Downs Casino. Post time will be at 6:25 p.m.

The first Saturday night of the annual summer-fall meet will also feature five Excelsior Series divisions, with each division worth more than $12,000.

The New York Sire Stakes will begins in race two, in which $43,980 will be up for grabs. The Credit Winner--Pacific Legacy filly Lima Playmate will start at 5-2 on the morning line for the connections of Ray Schnittker and Lima Playmate Stables.

Lima Playmate ($225,891) will get the services of Steve Smith. Regular driver Ray Schnittker will be at bit tied up, he’s will be at The Meadowlands preparing his world champion filly Check Me Out for the Hambletonian Oaks Eliminations.

New York Sire Stakes action will then move to race four, in which $44,780 will be on the line. The much-improved Kristens Victory (Cash Hall--Treasured Victory), who overcame post seven at Tioga Downs to score at odds of 29-1 in a division of the Tompkins-Geers, might be the filly to beat in this one.

The Karen Garland trainee has really picked up her game since going on Lasix. Owner Steve Smith, who drove her to second place finishes in New York Sire Stakes races at Monticello Raceway and Yonkers Raceway will be back in the sulky.

The last but certainly not least $43.980 New York Sire Stakes division was carded as race eight. As far as being continuous, it really doesn’t get any better with two of the top sophomore trotting fillies in the New York Sire Stakes drawing into the same division.

The Credit Winner--Meadowbranch Mary filly Fortunista will open as the favorite on the morning line at 5-2, basically due to post position; she drew the rail for owner-trainer Gilbert Garcia-Herrera and Barbara and Donald Arnstine.

Fortunista ships to Western New York on quite a form spree, having won her last four starts including New York Sire Stakes legs at Buffalo Raceway, Yonkers Raceway and Monticello Raceway. She sports season’s earnings of $172,001.

The talented Cowgirl Hall (Cash Hall--Britt’s Spirit) won’t go down without a fight. In her nine starts in 2012 she’s won five and has been second in three of them for trainer-driver “Gates” Brunet. She’s earned $144,955 this season for owners Ted Gewertz, M. H. Rosenthal and Jean and Debbie Brunet.

The Excelsior series races were carded as race one, six, 10, 11 and 12.

Racing fans unable to attend the races can watch the all the action from Batavia Downs via streaming video at www.bataviadownscasino.com <http://www.bataviadownscasino.com/> . Simply click on the “Live Racing” section and then on the “Video” link.

Photos: Opening night, 2012, at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

And they're off ... for the 66th season, there is live harness racing at Batavia Downs.

More than 3,000 racing fans turned out for opening night and they witnessed Shawn Gray, who captured Buffalo's 2012 driving title, notch three wins.

Two other of the nation's top drivers, Dan Noble and Jim Morrill Jr., were also featured on the night.

Batavia Downs opens 66th season on Monday

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

A bigger signature race, a new first race post time and Sunday afternoon racing in August are just some of the changes in store when racing returns for the 66th season on Monday (July 23) at Batavia Downs Casino. The pacers and trotters will meet at America’s oldest lighted harness track for 72 exciting race dates.

The Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational Pace, the track's signature event, will now offer a $50,000 purse. This year’s Kane Memorial is slated for October 6. Last year, Aracache Hanover with Trevor Henry in the bike, lowered the Downs all-age record when he paced to victory in 1:51.1. Aracache Hanover is locally owned by William Switala and James Martin.

Racing fans will need to arrive 15 minutes earlier with first race post for all evening racing programs now slated for 6:25 p.m. Racing gates open at 5 p.m. with the exception of August 11 and September 15, when racing gates open for Old Fashioned night at 4:30 p.m.

A total of six matinees will be offered, including all four Sundays in August. The other two afternoon race cards are Labor Day and Columbus Day. Post time for all matinees remains at 1:15 p.m. with racing gates opening at 12 p.m.

Racing will be conducted on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday-Saturday night basis for the first two weeks of the annual Summer-Fall meet with Sundays replacing Mondays in August. Twelve races will be carded nightly except on Saturdays when the Genesee County racetrack will host 13-race programs.

A complete racing calendar is available for download at www.batavia-downs.com.

Changes were made to the wagering menu, with the major change being the minimum on trifecta wagering has been lowered to 50 cents. However a $1 wager is required. One dollar daily double wagering is also being offered.

Superfecta wagering is now offered on all races with the exception of races one and seven. The Pick-4 has been moved to the third race and the late-late double moves to the last two races nightly. The popular Pick-6, which paid $10,000 to one lucky ticket holder last season, begins on race seven.

North America’s leading dash winning harness racing driver in 2011, Dan Noble, will make his Batavia Downs debut on opening night. Noble led all drivers last year with 773 wins. He currently sits fourth this year with 320 wins.

Shawn Gray, currently the leading driver at Buffalo Raceway, will also be racing at Batavia Downs for the first time. The Maine native shipped to Buffalo in January and has notched 185 wins so far this season there.

Jim Morrill Jr., who recently won the $445,594 Yonkers Trot with Archangel, makes a special appearance on Monday night. Morrill established records for most wins and earnings in a single season at the Downs in 2006.

Again this season all racing programs will contain $2 free play coupons that can be redeemed at Players Club. The cost to purchase a program remains at $2, however on opening night and on July 28, the first New York Sire Stakes event of the season, racing programs will be free.

Player’s Club members dining in the track's historic clubhouse will receive $5 in Casino free play with the purchase of a buffet. On Sunday afternoon, the cost of the lunch buffet minus the free play coupon is just $3.95.

The entire racing season will be broadcast via live streaming video at www.batavia-downs.com. Race replays are available at the same web address.

The 2012 season features a variety of promotions, including two old fashioned nights, the biggest free handicapping contest ever and the annual family fun day at the races featuring the hilarious wiener dog races.

Students selected to participate in 2102 Batavia Downs Scholarship Race

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Batavia Downs officials have announced the names of the five students selected by their high schools to participate in the 2012 college scholarship race.

They are: Lindsay Hilburger -- Notre Dame of Batavia; Sonia Nevinger -- Alexander; Jessica Levins -- Batavia; Jamie Marshall -- Elba; and Leanne King -- Pembroke.

The race will be held on Sept. 15, between the fifth and sixth live harness races at Batavia Downs. Approximate post time for the scholarship race is 7:45 p.m.

A total of $7,500 in college scholarship funds will be given to each high school student in the dash for cash. The race will be conducted at one mile -- two laps around Batavia Downs' historic half-mile oval.

“We're thrilled to provide additional scholarship funds to area high school students,” said Todd Haight, general manager of Batavia Downs. “This coincides with the contributions made daily by Batavia Downs Casino to the New York state lottery for education.”

All students are required to practice at least five times during the month of August with the driver/trainer they will be teamed up with. This exposes the student to the full equine experience associated with the racing industry.

Scholarship breakdowns are as follows: $3,000 to the winner; $2,000 for second; $1,200 for third; $800 for fourth; and $500 for fifth. Scholarships are not equine specific and can be used for any higher education.

The event is a partnership of Batavia Downs Casino, Buffalo Raceway, Harness Horse Breeders of New York and the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association.

The 66th season at America’s oldest lighted harness track gets under way on July 23 with a new post time of 6:25 p.m.

Batavia Downs announces annual scholarship race

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Batavia Downs Casino will continue to enhance education, both of the sport of harness racing as well as classroom academics, by continuing its scholarship program for its third consecutive year.

The $7,500 one mile Dash for the Cash will be held on Saturday night, Sept. 15.

Five area high school seniors from the graduating class of 2013 will participate. The schools can use any criteria they wish to pick their students. This year’s participating high schools are Batavia, Notre Dame of Batavia, Elba, Pembroke and Alexander.

Kaley Falkowski of Batavia High School with professional Jim Mulcahy alongside won the inaugural event. Last year Elizabeth Shuknecht representing Elba High School with professional Jim Graham took top honors.

Beginning in August, the five participating students will attend at least five training sessions at the track with their professional to learn the safety and skills needed to drive a racehorse. Then between the fourth and fifth live harness races on Sept. 15, they will line up behind the starting gate and compete for scholarships checks of $3,000, $2,000, $1,200, $800 and $500.

“The enthusiasm in the crowd leading up to the race is amazing and it brings an entirely different demographic to the racetrack,” said Todd Haight, general manager of live racing. “These kids train very hard and definitely come away with a better understanding of our sport.”

Again the scholarship event is co-sponsored by the horsemen, breeders and owners 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.

Batavia Downs Casino, America's oldest lighted harness track, opens for its 66th racing season on Monday, July 23, for 72 racing dates with a new post time of 6:25 p.m. Racing will be conducted on a Sunday afternoon, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night basis in August. For more information, visit www.bataviadowns.com.

Batavia Downs changes first race post time for 11/5

By Billie Owens

Batavia Downs Casino is moving its first race post time on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 6:40 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. to accommodate the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which has a 7 o'clock post time. Post time will remain at 6:40 p.m. for all other race nights.

“We didn’t want to go head-to-head with the Breeders' Cup classic, so we decided to start our live program a half and hour later,” said Todd Haight, general manager of live racing. “We want our customers both at the track and at our 35 OTB’s to enjoy the classic before we get under way.”

Racing fans are reminded that the final Tuesday night of the summer-fall meet takes place on Oct. 25.

Racing will be conducted at America’s oldest lighted harness track on a Wednesday, Friday, Saturday night basis through Dec. 3.

When racing resumes on Friday night the Pick-6 will start out with a carryover pool of 3,023. The Pick-6 wager begins on the 7th race.

“We could have over $5,000 in there (the pool),” Haight added. “We had a strong advance sale of programs and I think many are going to be focusing on the Pick-6.

Great lady harness racer and trainer honored tonight at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Tonight's seventh race at Batavia Downs Casino, the Open Trot, is named in honor of a great lady that Western New York harness racing fans won’t soon forget. Live racing programs will feature a special insert highlighting some of Mary Ann Sarama-Luce’s harness racing career.

The Mary Ann Sarama-Luce Memorial Trot will be in recognition of a great mother, person, horseman and friend to so many in Western New York. She passed away in July after a long battle with leukemia. She was 73.

Mary Ann was introduced into the business when she met Danny Sarama in the late 1960s. From that point, she and Danny teamed up to own the successful Mardan stable, that included the pacer You Devil You, who won 10 races in a row in 1976.

In the early 1980s, after separating from Danny, she continued on as both a trainer and a driver. Her best year as a driver came in 1983 when she won 21 races. Throughout her driving career she won 109 races. In 1990 she turned the lines over to her son, Carl Surdyk.

On the training side, she conditioned 107 winners, including four this year. Her purse earnings exceeded $334,000. Some of the top horses she trained included Gold Bandit N, Top Dog Alex, Top Dog Nicholas, Easy L-Bar and Guy-Lee Debbie.

Harness racing was her number-one priority and passion,” her daughter Lynette Mcgiveron said. “Her horses were the driving force behind her battle to recover. Even in her final days she worried more about her horses then herself."

"A fierce competitor both as a trainer and a driver,” was the best way Bruce Tubin, president of the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association, described Mary Ann. “I have fond memories competing against and working with her. She’ll be missed by all."

$7500 College Scholarship Race

By Rick Franclemont

September 10th at Batavia Downs was an exciting night.

Five local high school members competed for a cut of $7,500 in scholarship money. The race was sponsered by Harness Horse Breeders of New York, Western NY Harness Horsemen's Association, Batavia Downs Casino and Buffalo Raceway.

Racing were:

1. Elizabeth Shuknecht, from Elba (professional Jim Graham and Horse "Betsy Ross")

2. Kendra Wall, from Notre Dame (professional Mike Pokornowski and Horse "Here Comes Wally")

3. Natalie Tuites, from Batavia (professional Jim Mulcahy and Horse "Nat from Bat")

4. Conor George, from Oakfield (professional Mike Baumeister and Horse "Curious George")

5. Wyatt Chittenden, from Pembroke (professional Dave McNeight III and Horse "Wyatt Night")

The winners were as follows:

1st: Elizabeth Shuknecht

2nd: Wyatt Chittenden

3rd: Natalie Tuites

4th: Kendra Wall

5th: Conor George

More pictures from the scholarship night and racing can be found here

Big weekend at Batavia Downs starts tonight

By Billie Owens

Press release:

This is going to be a big weekend at Batavia Downs Casino. Honoring and remembering is the theme.

Tonight, Joseph Teresi will be honored as the Batavia Downs Casino Italian-American of the Year with a special Winners Circle ceremony. The inaugural recipient of the award, Joseph Gerace, nominated Teresi for the award. Gerace recognized the work that Teresi does in the community and how he honors his Italian heritage doing so.

Teresi is currently the vice president of Tompkins Insurance Agencies. Some of his accolades include Geneseean of the Year, YMCA Volunteer of the Year, two-time Lions Distinguished Service Award winner and “Lion of the Year” award.

He is also involved as: the current president of Regional Action Phone Line; founder and volunteer of the YMCA Challenger Sports program; member of the Notre Dame High School Education Foundation; supporter of the T.F. Brown’s/Batavia Lions club annual Christmas dinner; past president of the Genesee YMCA Lions Club; and co-chair of the recent Genesee Foundation “Encore” event.

A special Italian-American themed buffet will be served in the Clubhouse while the Formula band, known for playing traditional Italian music, will be in Grandstands Bar & Grille from 8 until midnight.

On Saturday night, two big events will be taking place. After the fourth harness race, five high school students -- Elizabeth Shuknecht from Elba High School; Kendra Wall from Notre Dame of Batavia; Natalie Tuites from Batavia High School; Conor George from Oakfield High School; and Wyatt Chittenden from Pembroke High School -- will go behind the starting gate to race for their share of $7,500 in college scholarship money.

The scholarship race is a partnership between Batavia Downs Casino, Buffalo Raceway, Harness Horse Breeders of New York and the Western New York Horsemen Association. The college scholarship breakdown is as follows: $3,000 to the winner; $2,000 to the second-place finisher; and $1,200, $800 and $500 going to the third, fourth and fifth place finishers, respectively.

All students practiced at least five times during the month of August with the driver/trainer that they will be teamed up with. They were exposed to the full equine experience associated with the racing industry. The students and their professionals will race 1-mile, that's two laps around Batavia Downs on double-seated jog carts.

Later in the evening, Benny "The Whip"  Webster and P.C. "Patsy" Rapone will be installed in the Upstate New York Harness Racing Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2011 representing Batavia Downs. Webster and the family of Rapone will be presented their Empire Pinnacle Crystal awards to mark the occasion, trackside after the 7th and 8th races.

Webster is a homegrown Western New York racing legend. He lived in Hilton, and got his first driving win at the age of 16 at the Hemlock Fair; both a mere 25 miles from Batavia Downs Casino. But that incipient stage of his development would later see a 47-year career unfold on the biggest stages of the sport as Webster would go on to win the Hambletonian, the Little Brown Jug and the Kentucky Futurity.

In a career that spanned six decades, Webster won 4,378 races and his horses earned purses of $43,197,645.

Born and raised in Caledonia, Patsy C. Rapone came from a harness-racing family; just about every relative was involved in the sport in some capacity. His father Lou Rapone was a national training and driving force from the 1950s right through the 1970s and amassed 2,069 wins in his career. So it was no surprise when Patsy left high school to go work with his dad taking care of the horses.

He started driving at age 21 at Batavia Downs in 1974. During his short career, Rapone won 2,643 races and $5.8 million in purse money. He died of brain cancer on May 16, 1996 at the age of 42.

Nation's leading harness racing driver at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

    Tim Tetrick, also known as "The Bionic Man," makes his first-ever Batavia Downs & Casino appearance on Wednesday night (Aug. 3) when the New York Sire Stakes' 2-year-old pacing fillies roll into town.
    First race post time is 6:40 p.m.
    The 30-year-old Tetrick is currently leading all of North America in wins with 457 and purse earnings totaling $7,773,683. Throughout a career that began in 1998, he's won 6,425 and his drives have earned $98,024,539.
    His best year came in 2007 when he won 1,189 races. In 2008 his drives earned more than 19 million dollars.
    Tetrick is listed to drive in the first race, a $9,000 Open for fillies and mares and all five New York Sire Stake races, carded as races 2,5,7,8 and 11, with each division worth over $24,000 in purse money. Tim will have a long day as he is scheduled to drive in the first 11 races at Harrah's Chester, located in Chester, Pa., in the afternoon.
    Racing fans unable to attend the races can watch all the action via live streaming video at www.bataviadownscasino.com. Simply click on the "Live racing" section and then on the "streaming video" link.

Nation's leading harness racing driver makes first Batavia Downs appearance

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Tim Tetrick, also known as “The Bionic Man,” makes his first-ever Batavia Downs & Casino appearance on Wednesday night (Aug. 3) when the New York Sire Stakes 2-year-old pacing fillies roll into town.

The 30-year-old Tetrick is currently leading all of North America in wins with 457 and purse earnings totaling $7,773,683. Throughout a career that began in 1998, he’s won 6,425 and his drives have earned $98,024,539.

His best year came in 2007 when he won 1,189 races. In 2008 his drives earned more than 19 million dollars.

Tetrick is listed to drive in the first race, a $9,000 Open for fillies and mares and all five New York Sire Stake races, carded as races 2,5,7,8 and 11, with each division worth over $24,000 in purse money. Tim will have a long day as he is scheduled to drive in the first 11 races at Harrah’s Chester, located in Chester, Pennsylvania in the afternoon.

"We’re thrilled to have the leading driver in all of North America come to the Downs on Wednesday night.” said Todd Haight, general manager of live racing. “Throughout the years we’ve had Hall of Famer after Hall of Famer race here and Tim only adds to that list.”

Racing fans unable to attend the races can watch all the action via live streaming video at www.bataviadownscasino.com. Simply click on "Live racing" section and then on "streaming video link.

Freshman pacing fillies in NYSS action at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Thirty-seven of New York’s finest pacing fillies converge on Batavia Downs and Casino as New York Sire Stakes action continues on Wednesday night (Aug. 3). Five divisions highlight the 12-race program with over $120,000 in NYSS purse money up for grabs.

First race post time is 6:40 p.m. The first division takes place in race two, with seven fillies set to go behind starter Mark Phillips. The ones to keep your eye out for are the Bettor's Delight-Silky Western filly, Silk Purse, and the Art Major-Impagain filly, Park Lane Paige.

Silk Purse comes off a 1:56.3, track record performance at Buffalo Raceway. Tim Tetrick, making his first-ever Batavia Downs appearance, drives for trainer Linda Toscano. Park Lane Paige looks for her third win in a row after scoring in 1:54.4 at Tioga in a division of the Tompkins-Geers and in 1:57.1 at Buffalo. Once again Jim Morrill Jr. will steer for trainer Mark Ford.

JK Fine Art figures to get all the attention in the second NYSS division, race number five. The Art Major-Presidential Lady offspring is 2- for-2 in her career with wins at Yonkers (1:56.2) and Buffalo (1:58.1). Tetrick will once again be in the sulky for trainer Toscano.

Centralia Hanover, by Art Major-Calgary Hanover, looks like the horse to beat in the fourth division of sire stakes, race eight. She’s 2-for- 2 against New York breds, with victories at Yonkers (1:56.1) and Buffalo (1:58). Her only defeat came at Harrah’s Chester when she made a break at the start. Morrill will be in the bike for trainer Mark Harder.

The final stakes of the evening is carded as race 10. Handsoffmycookie (Art Major-Observe Me) starts out as a prohibitive 4-5 favorite on the morning line. She sports back-to-back scores at Yonkers (1:57.3) and Buffalo (1:57.1). Trainer Scott Di Domenico will have the services of Tetrick. The other sire stakes of the evening is race seven. It’s the most contentious of the events and features an eight-horse field and seven betting interests.

Racing fans unable to attend the races can watch all the action via live streaming video at www.bataviadownscasino.com <http://www.bataviadownscasino.com/>. Simply click on the "Live racing" section and then on "streaming video link."

Lake Shark swallows up the competition at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Press release:

A $10,000 Preferred Pace and two $12,200 New York Bred late closers highlighted the Saturday night program, closing out the first week of live harness racing at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
In the Preferred, Barbara Andrels’ Lake Shark sat in two-hole the entire mile, angled out at the top of the stretch and roared home down the center of the racetrack to notch his sixth win of the season in 1:54.3. John Cumming Jr. was in the sulky for trainer Mike Carrubba.
 
New York Prime (Chris Page) closed up the pylons to be second while Cry for Cash (Ron Beback Jr., rallied to be third.
 
Lake Shark, a 4-year-old son of Four Starzzz Shark was claimed for $18,750 back in May. He’s earned $189,752 lifetime.
 
In NYSS late closing action, Southwind Inferno went right to the top and held on in a three horse blanket finish to score his fourth win of the season in 1:55.1 for trainer Andy Sardella and reinsman John Cummings Jr. The gelded son of American Ideal is owned in partnership by Michael Pozefsky, William Pozefsky and Myron Ekstein.
 
Bubbie Boy never really had an anxious moment when he cruised to a daylight win in 1:57 in the other NYSS late closer of the evening. Jack Flanigen was at the lines for trainer Cory Mcgivern. Bubbie Boy, a gelded son of Artiscape, is owned by Richard Mersky. The New York Sire Stakes season resumes on Wednesday night with five divisions of 2-year-old pacing fillies on the docket. Total NYSS purse money exceeds $120,000.
 
Tim Tetrick, currently leading all of North America in wins with 454 and purse earnings with $7.7 million, will make his first ever Downs appearance.
 
America’s oldest lighted harness track is currently racing every Monday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday night. Post time is 6:40. For more information please visit www.bataviadownscasino.com.

Photos: Batavia Downs Opening Day 2011

By Howard B. Owens

Monday, Batavia Downs opened its 2011 harness racing season. Like last year, I spent some time in the stables and the grandstands taking a few pictures of the big day.

Batavia Downs will host $7,500 scholarship race with student drivers

By Billie Owens

Once again Batavia Downs will play host to another $7,500 scholarship race for local, college-bound students. The event will feature students from area schools accompanied by professional harness racing drivers in a one-mile dash for the cash on Saturday, Sept. 10.

"We are once again pleased to help support the education of students in our community in such a unique way," said Todd Haight, general manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs. "We were so pleased with how well our first dash for cash was received, we immediately went back to our partners and requested we give it another go.

“Not only did the five participating students earn valuable scholarship funds, but also a greater understanding of the sport of harness racing, which was our main goal."

Last year, Kaley Falkowski, of Batavia High School, with professional Jim Mulcahy sitting alongside in a double-seated jog cart, bested four other students.

This year, Batavia, Oakfield-Alabama and Notre Dame high schools will each be represented by one student. The remaining two spots will be chosen by lottery. All schools can use any criteria they wish to pick their students.

During the 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. 10, they will line up behind the starting gate and compete for scholarships of $3000, $2000, $1200, $800 and $500, depending on where they finish.

The approximate time of the competition that evening is between 7:30 and 8:30.

Once again, the 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.

Batavia Downs Casino, America’s oldest lighted harness track, opens for its 65th racing season on Monday, July 25, for 72 racing dates.

Post time is 6:40 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in August. There will also be a special 1:15 matinee on Sunday, Aug. 29; Monday, Sept. 5 (Labor Day), which features a day-night doubleheader; and Monday, Oct. 10 (Columbus Day). For more information, visit <http://www.batavia-downs.com/>

Batavia Downs names winner of handicapping contest qualifier

By Billie Owens

Here's a press release from Batavia Downs:

Congratulations goes out to Heidi Rosario of Buffalo who won Friday night's (May13) Western OTB/NHHC handicapping contest qualifier, in the clubhouse at Batavia Downs Casino.

Rosario bested leader Hyland Clark in the final contest race.

She’ll represent Western OTB in the $50,000 National Harness Handicapping Championship to be held at the Meadowland Racetrack on July 9th. Best of Luck to Heidi and many thanks to everyone that participated.

Later this year Western OTB and Batavia Downs Casino will host a qualifier for the 2012 Horse Players World Series. Details will be announced soon. Check out www.westernotb.com <http://www.westernotb.com>  for more information.

Fred Haslip to receive lifetime achievement award at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

This information comes from a news release written by Tim Bojarski, for the Western New York Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers' Association.

The Upstate New York Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers’ Association has announced that longtime trainer-driver Fred Haslip will receive its 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award.

It will be presented to him in the Winner’s Circle during the Upstate Harness Writers' Association's “Night of Distinction,” which will be held at Batavia Downs Casino on Saturday, Dec. 4.

Haslip was one of the most sought after catch-drivers in Western New York during the 1970s and '80s, and was responsible for teaming some of the best horses to race on that circuit during that time.

The lifelong resident of Basom started driving at fairs in 1959 and scored his first pari-mutuel win in 1960.

During his 51-year career he posted 2,585 lifetime driving wins and banked $6 million dollars in purse money -- doing it the hard way, mostly in overnight events in an era where purses were not what they are today.

The list of horses that Haslip has teamed over the years is long and includes names such as: Diamond Sparkler, p, 9, Q1:56.3 ($328,737); Happy Sparkler, p, 9, 1:58.2h ($156,756); Handsome Boy, 5, 2:00.2h ($142,048); Keystone Astro, p, 7, 2:01.1h ($136,204); and Kay El, Jack the Baron, Coaltown Smoke, Flawless Sparkler, Little Commish, Princess Dee Dee, Tarvon, Red Almond, BBQ, Paige Man and Cheryl Grattan.

But Haslip is probably most noted for developing the former double-gaited record holder, Excalibur.

Excalibur, who was purchased as a 4-year-old for the paltry sum of $3,500, in 1972, would go on to bank just under $200,000 in his career. In 1977, Excalibur set the North American record for a double-gaited gelding when he trotted a mile in 2:03.3. That time equaled his pacing record, set in 1974, and those times combined were 4:07.1, which broke a record set in 1939.

Excalibur raced until he was 14, retiring in 1982. In 169 lifetime starts, on both gaits combined, he posted 50 wins -- 12 on the trot and 38 on the pace. The horse was such a versatile athlete that from 1975 to 1977 Haslip raced him on both gaits, switching him back and forth during the year.

The 68-year-old Haslip cut back on his drives substantially in the mid 1990s and for the last 10 years has started less than 50 times a year. He still trains a four-horse stable of his own on his farm, but elects to appoint catch-drivers to do the teaming.

Holliday Barn takes five at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

News release from Batavia Downs:

The dynamic duo of  driver Ken and trainer Sherri Holliday had a huge Saturday night at Batavia Downs Casino when they made five winner circle appearances, including winning the featured $9,000 Open with the rages to riches pacer Sand Forever.
 
Just a $2500 claimer at Running Aces Park earlier this season, Sand Forever  made the transition to the Open ranks a winning one when he flew down the stretch to nail the front running Most Happy Rider (Kevin Cummings) by a head in 1:57.3 in the weekly pacing feature. Zackor (Ron Beback, Jr.) checked in third.
 
The win was Sand Forever’s 15th of the 2010 campaign and 25th of his career in 80 lifetime starts. He’s a 5-year-old Stand Forever gelding. He returned $5.80 win, being sent off as the lukewarm favorite.
 
The Holliday’s other winners were Scudder ($10.00), Bruener ($5.50 - - now three for three in Western New York), Masteroftheclass ($2.60) and Nifty Prescott ($18.60).   
 
Last year’s Downs leading conditioner Sherri Holliday began the evening in a tie with Ron Beback, Jr. in the race for top trainer honors. With only two more nights left in the 2010 season her five win lead would now seem insurmountable.
 
Dave McNeight III, a 20-year-old provisional reinsman, had a night he soon won’t forget when he scored the first hat trick of his career. In 24 lifetime drives he’s won six of them and definitely looks like a young man with a bright future.  
 
Another provisional reinsman, Denny Bucceri, had a big weekend going two for two. He’s now won five times in 29 starts this year.
 
Kevin Cummings heads into closing weekend with a five win cushion over Jack Flanigen in his bid to defend his dash driving title. Both were winless on the Saturday program.
 
Racing fans are reminded there will be no live racing next Wednesday; the final two nights of the 2010 season will be Friday and Saturday.  Post time is 6:40 pm.

 

Old-timer Fifty Two Finn trots to another win

By Billie Owens

News release from Batavia Downs:

Owner-trainer Ronald Stebbins Fifty Two Finn solidified his stock for being named Batavia Downs Casino trotter of the year when he went wire-to wire to notch his 6th win of the summer-fall meet, in the featured $8,880 Open trot, on Friday night (Nov.26).
 
John Cummings, Jr., who had four wins on the program, guided the classy 10-year-old Movie Mogul gelding to his 46th lifetime win, holding off a closing Justine Colleen (Jack Flanigen) by a head in 2:00.4, over a racetrack covered in snow.
 
Fifty Two Finn, who made his most recent start at Vernon Downs, was claimed for $15,000 back on September 10 at Tioga Downs. He’s over $60,000 in seasonal earnings and his lifetime bankroll is more than $440,000. He returned $4.90 to win going off as the public choice.
 
Artistry in Rhythm wins Mare Open
Betty Taubers Artistry in Rhythm ($6.40) held off The Grey Filly (Ron Beback, Jr.) in deep stretch to win the co-featured $8,500 Filly and Mares Open pace by a neck in 1:59.2.
 
The 8-year-old Real Desire mare won for the 11th time this season and raised her 2010 earnings to more than $82,000. Ken Holliday was in the bike for his wife Sherri.
 
Trainer Title to Close to Call
After 69 racing programs the battle for the 2010 Downs training title couldn’t be any closer. Sherri Holliday, last years Downs leading conditioner, doubled up on the Friday evening program to tie Ron Beback, Jr. with 57 wins each. In fact there win percentages are identical at 23%.
 
With only three more racing night left in the 2010 campaign, Kevin Cummings maintains a five win lead over Jack Flanigen in the race for dash driving honors. Cummings last years Downs top driver and Flanigen, recently named Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association Western New York Driver of the Year, each drove a pair of winners on Friday program.

 

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