Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Horsemen wishing to race at Batavia Downs for the upcoming 2020 annual summer/fall meet should note that stall applications are now available on the track’s website. 

Simply click Live Racing>Horsemen>Stall Application, Agreement & Reservations link to download.

Stall applications are also available at the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association office located on-site at Buffalo Raceway.

The complete 2020 racing schedule can also be found at Live Racing>Live Racing Schedule.

Batavia Downs will conduct a 43-day meet this year with daily purses down roughly 20 percent from last year due to the gaming floor closure since Mid-March.

“We have worked closely with the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association to do what was best for them with regard to our purses this season, as well as for future meets given the current conditions due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Todd Haight, director/general manager of Live Racing. 

Racing Secretary Joe Zambito has stated that stall applications must be received by the track no later than Friday (July 3).

During this meet, Open I events (on both gaits and including filly and mare pacers) will compete for $10,000 while the Open II will race for $9,000 and the Open III will go for $8,000.

The backstretch will open for both tack and horses at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 18.

Batavia Downs offers a text messaging service for notices about draws, entries and changes to the racing schedule. Horsemen are strongly encouraged to text the word “HORSEMAN” to 51660. You will then need to reply “YES” and you will be opted in for race office text message updates. 

The 74th season of live harness racing at America’s oldest lighted harness kicks off on Saturday, July 25 and runs through Saturday, Dec. 12.