When the doors swing open for the start of the 72nd season of live harness racing at Batavia Downs on Monday (July 23), patrons, horsemen and horsewomen will see a multitude of changes made by the track to improve the racing product and enhance the wagering value.
The 2018 racing session will feature 70 dates, including seven matinees which will all start at 1:15 p.m. Monday and Wednesday evening post times are 5:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday night races will begin at 6:00 p.m. There will be four twilight Saturday programs during the season (on September 8, October 6, November17 and December 15) with a 4:45 p.m. post.
Those racing at the ‘Downs’ this year will be greeted by $600,000 worth of paddock improvements, including a new barn that will house two additional races. It was constructed adjacent to the existing four-race paddock and across from the 16-stall wash barn and finished off with fresh blacktop. The new layout of the complex will allow for six races to be in the paddock at one time and provide uncluttered ease of bathing for horses that are done racing.
A shot of the paddock improvements at Batavia Downs (Photo courtesy Batavia Downs)
Fans viewing the races on the monitors in the stands or via simulcast will enjoy an enhanced video product thanks to a brand new audio/visual studio that will broadcast everything in full digital video. The state-of-the-art control room will make the Batavia Downs signal and programming the best the track has ever offered and make the races easier and more enjoyable to watch.
A shot of Batavia Downs’ brand new audio/visual studio (Photo courtesy Batavia Downs)
Another change that will be noticeable from both sides of the fence is the passing lane has been removed from the home stretch of the track. Batavia Downs has had a passing lane since 1989 and during that time the track has seen the bias towards inside posts go up dramatically. So in an attempt to create more early movement making outside posts more ‘bettable’ and decrease the amount of winning favourites, the change was implemented.
“This year we’ve made some changes that we feel will help the horsemen and bettors alike,” said Todd Haight, director/general manager of live racing at Batavia Downs. “The new paddock will make the transition from race to race much easier for our participants and removing the passing lane should add some value for our gamblers. We look forward to getting underway and expect and exciting season of racing.”
The schedule looks to provide some of the best competition the track has seen, and the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) will be the centrepiece of it. Eight divisions of state-breds will visit the Downs and there will be $800,000 (est.) up for grabs for the participating horses.
On Friday, September 21, all eight NYSS final consolation races will be held at the Downs with an additional $320,000 to be doled out.
That same night the Downs’ two signature races will be held. The $15,000 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot and $15,000 Duke Dranichek Memorial Pace will feature some of the best Open talent around, including the richest pacer of all time.
Trainer Ron Burke has marked his calendar and said the incomparable Foiled Again is scheduled to compete in the Dranichek Pace. Foiled Again has won three $50,000 Kane Memorials in Batavia along with two Saturday night Opens. He likes the track and he’s coming back for a farewell appearance before his mandatory retirement at the end of the year.
"September 9 is the 30th anniversary of Batavia Downs hosting the Breeders Crown, and the card we have on tap for September 21 this year rivals that historic night for purses and competition,” Haight said. “And to have Foiled Again here on top of it makes it a real draw for western New York.”
The very next night (Saturday, September 22), the very popular racing under saddle (RUS) will return for the third year with horses and riders from New York RUS. They will attempt to break the track record that was set in 2016 when they made their first appearance at the track.
The driving colony will be filled with familiar faces, but with last year’s dash title winner Larry Stalbaum not returning, a new champion will be crowned in December.
Drew Monti, who is western New York’s leading dash driver this year, will be in the mix along with Shawn Gray, Kevin Cummings, Ray Fisher Jr., Jim Morrill Jr., Billy Davis Jr. and John Cummings Jr. to name a few.
On the conditioning side, last year’s leading trainer Kim Asher will be back, but with a reduced stable. That will open the door for the red hot James Clouser Jr. and three-time best Batavia conditioner JD Perrin to vie for top honours.
Also competing at the Downs this meet will be 18-year-old Riley Asher-Stalbaum, who began her training career earlier this year. She has made an instant impact among area trainers with a sparkling Universal Training Rating of .428.
Once again, the fans will enjoy a plethora of promotions this year, and, as always, there will be something on tap for everyone.
As has been the norm for many years, racing programs will be free on opening night and the first Saturday of the meet to welcome back our racing fans (each program will also contain a valuable free play coupon redeemable on the gaming floor).
Sunday, July 29 and every Sunday in August will be ‘Dollar Days at the Downs.’ Fans can enjoy dollar drafts, sodas and hot dogs on the apron.
On Saturday, August 4, ten lucky fans will win a stay at the beautiful new Batavia Downs Hotel, which is connected to the racetrack and gaming floor.
One lucky fan will win a $3,000 diamond pendant on Saturday, August 11 during a jewelry night giveaway sponsored by TAG Jewelers.
On Saturday, August 25, ten lucky Patrons will win $100 gift certificates to the Spa at Artemis.
Family Fun Days and the Wiener Dog races will return on Sunday, August 26. The day will include free activities of all kinds for the kids. Then, after the live racing is finished, the Wiener Dogs will hit the track for the main event. Genesee Feeds of Batavia is the official sponsor of this event.
The traditional Driver’s Bike Race will return for the 40th year on Labour Day (September 3). Eight of the Downs’ favourite drivers will be pedalling bicycles from the top of the turn to the wire. Eight fans who select the winning driver will win the bikes used in the race. Labour Day also features the annual chicken barbecue.
For information on racing or promotions, head to bataviadownsgaming.com.
(Batavia Downs)