Batavia’s Closing Week Will Be Busy
Wednesday night, there is a 12-race program scheduled beginning at 6:30 p.m. The entire card will be broadcast live on Time-Warner Cable, Channel 98 in Rochester and surrounding areas.
Friday night is 'Customer Appreciation Night.’ In addition to food specials, there will be a free Pick-6 contest worth $1,000 beginning in Race 4.
The season will conclude on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. Another free Pick-6 contest is on tap with a minimum payoff of $500. Should no one hit the Pick-6 on Friday night, Saturday's jackpot will be $1,000. Should there be more than one winner on either night, the payoff will be shared equally.
There will be plenty of hardware handed out Saturday as well as the Upstate New York Harness Writer's Association will present its 'Night of Distinction' awards with several different category winners to be announced.
The last three nights will also decide the top driver and trainer of 2013 at Batavia Downs. Provisional driver Shawn McDonough leads the way with 93 victories, while Ray Fisher Jr. is second with 84. Should McDonough hold on to the lead, he'll be the first-ever provisional driver to win a driving title in North America.
John Mungillo has a six-win lead over JD Perrin for the top trainer honours. Mungillo has led since opening night and has a 63-57 advantage over Perrin going into the last three nights.
Harness racing in western New York will switch over to Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday, January 8 for a 99-day meet. First post on opening night will be 5:00 p.m.
(With files from Batavia)