kentucky derby

By Tim Bojarski, for Western OTB/Batavia Downs​:

While it wasn’t quite as big as winning the lottery, there were smiles galore at the Western Regional Off-Track Betting (WROTB) branch locations and Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel after last Saturday’s (May 1) Run for the Roses.

As has been the case so often since 1974 when the public benefit corporation began accepting Derby wagers, WROTB patrons crushed it at the windows, winning over $1.4 million dollars. Based on total handle from all WROTB simulcast locations including Batavia Bets.com (the corporation’s online wagering platform), that number reflects the amount of money paid out to bettors was 9 percent higher than the national average. 

Three customers ended up being OTB’s biggest winners when they each cashed for $18,912 after all three wagered $48 on a $2 Superfecta box ticket on the winning combination of 7-8-9-14. Two other patrons wagered just one dollar and hit the Superfecta in exact order of 8-7-9-14 and won $9,456. 

WROTB President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek said “It was a thrilling horse race and I’m happy so many of our customers were winners. We thank everyone who bet through a WROTB outlet for their patronage on racing’s biggest day.”

Todd Haight, director/GM of Live Racing at Batavia Downs added “I think we did a good job getting the word out that Medina Spirit was a major player in this year’s race. We also gave several reasons to wager against heavy Derby favorite Essential Quality and it appears several of our customers took that advice.”

It also appeared that those who came to bet in person heeded the advice about masks and social distancing as all locations reported business going off without a hitch. 

“We appreciate everyone following COVID protocols and working with our staff to make the Derby as successful as it was,” Director of WROTB Branch Operations Sean Schiano said. 

Schiano added that preparations are well underway at Western Regional Off-Track Betting for the second jewel of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, the 146th Preakness Stakes, to be run next Saturday (May 15) at historic Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Md.

Press release:

Officials at Batavia Downs today announced that in preparation for the Kentucky Derby running this weekend, they will be staffing several locations throughout the gaming facility so that guests may place wagers. The Kentucky Derby is at 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 1^st.

Free Derby Programs will be available at Batavia Downs, all OTB Branches and all EZ Bet locations. Face coverings are required at all OTB Branches. Visitors to Batavia Downs must have a face covering and have their temperature taken prior to entry.

The Park Place Room at Batavia Downs will open on Friday, April 30^th from noon until 6 p.m. for guests to place advance wagers. On Saturday, May 1^st, Park Place will open at 10 a.m. and be open until 7:30 p.m. Mutuel Clerks and Self-service terminals will be available.

Capacity limitations and social distancing will be enforced at all locations inside Batavia Downs.

Grandstands Banquet Room will be open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. for guests wanting to wager on multiple racetracks. Self-service terminals will be available. There will be a limited capacity for this area.

Wagering will be available on Self-service terminals inside 34 Rush, however due to high demand for seating for lunch, horse racing will not be shown on TVs inside of 34 Rush until 6:30pm.

The Kentucky Derby Dinner inside the Clubhouse Restaurant will have Self-service terminals and is sold out at this time.

For those unable to visit Batavia Downs, wagers can be placed at any Western OTB Branch or EZ Bet location. For a list of locations visit westernotb.com/locations.

Branches will open at 10 a.m. on Friday for advance wagering and all branches will open at 10 a.m. Saturday. Churchill Downs’ first post on both Friday and Saturday is 10:30 a.m. Face coverings are required to be worn inside Batavia Downs Gaming and all OTB branches.

Wagers can also be placed on BataviaBets.com from a phone, tablet or computer. Batavia Bets features several sign up promotions including a Bet $100 get $25 promotion valid for first time users. People can also wager via the Dial-A-Bet service at 1-800-724-4000.

“We’re so happy to see the Derby back on the first Saturday in May,” said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs. “Our entire team has been working tirelessly to make sure our gaming facility and branches are ready to safely welcome guests this weekend.”

Press release:

Officials at Batavia Downs today announced that in preparation for the Kentucky Derby running this weekend, they have implemented several safety procedures in order to keep those wishing to make a wager safe.

All Western OTB Branches will open at 10:30 a.m. on Friday for advance wagering which will help guest avoid the crowds. All branches will open at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. All branches will have enter and exit only signs to help direct traffic.

As in year’s past, there will be extra staff on site to help give out free programs, answer any questions and help control the flow of traffic to help maintain safe social distancing. Face coverings are required to be worn inside all branches.

Due to COVID-19, there will not be any prize drawings at the branches this year and the Batavia Downs Simulcast Center will be closed. The gaming floor also remains closed at this time.

Wagers can also be placed on BataviaBets.com from a phone, tablet or computer. Customers can also wager over the telephone by calling the Dial-A-Bet service at 1-800-724-4000.

“The Triple Crown may be out of order this year, but we look forward to welcoming Derby bettors to our branches and EZ bets,” said Todd Haight, general manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs. “If people are still hesitant to venture out, our Batavia Bets platform is a nice easy way to make a wager from the comfort and safety of your own home.”

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, NY. WROTB owns and operates 17 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility. Since its inception, Western Region OTB has generated over $220 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of those participating municipalities.

Editor's Note: The Kentucky Derby is the longest running sporting event in the United States, dating back to 1875. The 146th "Run for the Roses" can be seen Saturday on NBCSN (NBC's Sports Network) with live coverage from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Post time for what's touted as "the most exciting 2 minutes in sports" is 6:50 p.m.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs Gaming

Representatives from Western Regional Off-Track Betting (WROTB) reported today (May 6) that a record $2,039,088.30 was wagered on the Kentucky Derby through their outlets including BataviaBets.com, OTB Branches and EZ Bet Locations.

In particular the Empire branch in Rochester, saw significant growth, up 27 percent from the previous year. And wagering was also very strong at Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel, up 7 percent there.

Batavia Downs hosted three separate parties with a full house of happy, gambling revelers enjoying the Run for the Roses. The Park Place Party served an all-time high 751 dinners; well eclipsing the 605 meals sold last year. Thurman Thomas’ Sports Bar “34 Rush” had their highest single day total for sales.

Down on the gaming floor, $4 million credits were played which was the second highest in their history. The week ending Saturday saw the highest credits played total of all time, with $18.3 million in Credits Played, beating the previous best seven-day period of $17.4 million.

The results of the 145th Kentucky Derby may have been controversial with the subsequent disqualification of Maximum Security, who was first under the wire, but according to Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of WROTB, Derby Day 2019 was unbelievable all the way around.

“The wagering, party and gaming numbers are a continuation and reflection of the solid year Batavia Downs has been experiencing,” Wojtaszek said. “We could not have pulled this off if it wasn’t for our dedicated OTB branch and Batavia Downs staff, who worked tirelessly on Derby Day. We appreciate the solid support from our loyal customer base.”

WROTB is already gearing up for the second jewel of thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown to be held on May 18 at Pimlico racetrack.

Among the events scheduled for Preakness is the $15 Trifecta special that will take place in the Park Place Event Center at Batavia Downs from 4 to 7 p.m.

Live harness racing return to Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 24) for the meet that will run through Saturday (Dec. 14).

Justify won the Kentucky Derby, which seemed to please many race fans at Batavia Downs yesterday.

Below, Mary Foster and Alyssa Park, winners of the hat contest, with Henry Wojtaszek, Western OTB president, and Scott Kiedrowski, VP of operations.

Press release:

Representatives from Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTB) announced Tuesday that wagering at WROTB locations on Saturday’s Kentucky Derby was its highest total ever at $2,031,741, beating 2014’s record handle.

Handle was up over $200,000 over last year’s handle -- a 12-percent increase. Batavia Downs Gaming also posted a record gaming handle of $3.5 million for the day.

“This was an incredible day of wagering," said WROTB President Henry Wojtaszek. “We at WROTB want to thank our patrons for coming out to our branches, EZ bets, Batavia Downs and for using our online service Batavia Bets.com.

"We appreciate their patience on our busiest day. We could not have pulled this off if it wasn’t for our dedicated OTB branch and Batavia Downs staff, who worked tirelessly on Derby Day. We send congratulations to all our winners including the 34 patrons who hit the Trifecta and to the person who hit the $75,000 Superfecta.”

Derby wagers placed just at Batavia Downs Gaming totaled $91,330, an increase of nearly 58 percent over last year. Wagering using BataviaBets.com, WROTB’s online website, on the Derby was $98,352.50, a record. Batavia Bets.com signed up 720 new accounts on Friday and Saturday, also a new record.  Buffalo ranked #4 in the country in terms of Derby viewership.

“It’s exciting to see that interest in the Kentucky Derby is alive and well in Western New York, “ said Todd Haight, general manager of Racing at Batavia Downs Gaming. “We had a record number of attendees at our onsite party.

"We’ll have another party for the Preakness with live mutuels sellers, food, free play and a complementary Preakness wager like we had for the Derby.”

The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, is scheduled for 6:48 p.m. on Saturday, May 20.

About Batavia Downs/WROTB

Owned and operated by 15 Western New York counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia, NY. WROTB owns and operates 19 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility. Since its inception, Western Regional OTB has generated over $215 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of those participating municipalities.

Press release:

Live racing doesn’t return to Batavia Downs until Monday July 25, but the grandstand will be filled with race fans this Saturday (May 7) as the track hosts its annual Kentucky Derby bash in the Paddock Room from 11:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

The $10 “Kentucky Derby Meal Deal” deal includes your choice of five entrees, a $2.00 Kentucky Derby wager and $5.00 in free play on the gaming floor. Programs, live tellers and plenty of big screen TV’s will be available throughout the facility.

In Thurman Thomas’s 34 Rush Sports Bar, drink specials include $6 mint juleps served in the official Kentucky Derby commemorative glass along with $2 drafts. Both will be available from 11:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.

“The Derby party has really developed since 2005 and we are expecting in excess of 400 people to attend this year,” said Todd Haight, general manager/director of Racing at Batavia Downs. “It’s amazing how popular it has become and how much it has grown."

All the Western Regional OTB branches in Western New York will open at 10 a.m. Friday (Kentucky Oaks Day) for advance wagering on the Derby and again at 10 a.m. on Derby day.

Last year, WROTB had its second best handle ever and paid out more than it took in for the first time, dating back to 1974.