Batavia Downs will host “Harness of Hope” on Saturday, Oct. 24, a fundraiser to help cancer research at the world-renowned Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, who is the track’s official live racing sponsor each year.
The event will be held in the clubhouse between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. during the live racing card and for a $65 USD donation patrons will receive a delicious buffet, $35 in Free Play on the gaming floor and a live racing program. There will also be a number of auctions and raffles available throughout the night offering many exciting prizes.
Byron Brown, Batavia Downs President & CEO said, “As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, I’m hoping everyone can join us Saturday night for the Roswell Park fundraiser. The proceeds will benefit cancer research and patient care initiatives at Roswell. Come enjoy a great evening of racing at Batavia Downs while also helping fight cancer.”
The live auction offers two signed jerseys. One by the Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame running back, Thurman Thomas, and one by the Buffalo Sabres defenseman, Owen Power. The live auction will begin at 6 p.m.
There will also be a silent auction for two Gold Ring Suite tickets to a Nov. 11 NHL game featuring the Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning, and also two tickets to a Buffalo Sabres game for the 2025-2026 season. Silent auction winners will be announced at 8 p.m.
Finally, there will also be a basket raffle featuring over 30 baskets containing items like signed sports memorabilia, food and drink, wine, sports tickets, a golf package, a travel package and much, much more.
Harness of Hope is a major part of Batavia Downs' October Breast Cancer Awareness month initiative that saw more than a half dozen events held to support fundraising for a cure. Batavia Downs has been lit pink all month long, both inside and out, including the infield fountain and the infield grass that runs alongside the pylons.
Each of Saturday’s races have been sponsored by businesses, groups and individuals to celebrate those who have survived this disease and remember those who have been lost to it. All will be remembered in the winner’s circle after each race.
This coming Monday (Oct. 26), Batavia Downs will partner with University of Rochester Medicine as a Mobile Mammography Van will be in the Batavia Downs parking lot from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To make a screening appointment call 1-844-870-0002.
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center has served its community for more than 125 years with care characterized by its compassion, innovation and effectiveness.
Founded in 1898 and operating from a 28-acre campus on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) near downtown Buffalo, New York, Roswell Park today remains the state's only comprehensive cancer centre designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) outside of New York City. In the past year, Roswell Park teams cared for more than 53,000 patients.
Roswell Park helps set international standards in cancer care through its role as a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and consistently earns patient-satisfaction scores that are among the highest in the country.
After no one hit the Pick Five at Batavia Downs on Thursday, there is a $1,149 carryover pool for that wager in the first race on Saturday (Oct. 24) and the management of Batavia Downs has announced that the pool will be guaranteed at $5,000 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program. As part of that program, Trackmaster will provide free full past performance program pages that can be downloaded (when they become available) at handicapping.ustrotting.com.
The Pick Five at Batavia Downs is a 50-cent minimum wager that starts in race one and runs through race five.
There is also another opportunity to win big at Batavia this Saturday with an ever-growing carryover of $23,662 in the Jackpot Super High Five pentafecta in the 12th race. That bet has a low 20-cent minimum wager.
(with files from Batavia Downs)