Horsepeople wishing to race at Batavia Downs for the upcoming summer/fall meet should take note that stall applications are now available for download on the track's website (bataviadownsgaming.com).

Simply click Live Racing>Horsemen>Stall Application and Agreement and also Stall Reservations. The complete 2018 racing schedule can also be found at Live Racing>Live Racing Schedule.

Stall applications are also available at the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association (WNYHHA) office located onsite at Buffalo Raceway.

Racing Secretary Joe Zambito stated that stall applications must be received by the track no later than Friday, July 6. The backstretch opens for tack on Monday, July 16 at 8 a.m. and horses may begin arriving on Wednesday, July 18 at 8 a.m.

The first draw will be held on Thursday, July 19 for Monday, July 23 which is the first New York Sire Stakes engagement of the year at the Downs.

Starting this meet, Batavia Downs will now have a six-race paddock with the opening of the new two-race barn which was built adjacent to the existing pre-race staging area. The 16-horse wash stall barn is also incorporated on that campus.

Batavia Downs will also offer its new text messaging service for notices about draws, entries and changes to the racing schedule. Horsemen are encouraged to text the word ‘HORSEMAN’ to 51660. You will then need to reply ‘YES’ and you’ll be opted in for race office text message updates.

The 72nd season of live harness racing at America’s oldest lighted harness track features 70 race dates including seven matinee cards. The meet opens on Monday, July 23 and runs through Saturday, December 15.

Live racing will be presented on Sunday afternoons at 1:15 p.m. (through July), Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday evenings at 6:00 p.m. There will also be racing on six Mondays during the meet including July 23 (6 p.m.) and 30 (5 p.m.), August 6 (5 p.m.), September 3 (1:15 p.m.) and 10 (5 p.m.) and October 8 (1:15 p.m.).

All stable inquiries should be directed to Todd Haight, director/GM of live racing at 585-343-3750 ext. 6322.

(Batavia Downs)