For the first time in two decades, Batavia Downs will hold its second opening day card of the year when the Genesee County oval welcomes back the horsemen, horsewomen, their horses and the fans for the 53-day summer/fall meet that starts on Wednesday, July 26 at 6 p.m. and runs through Saturday, Dec. 9.
The earlier winter session set several betting records driven by competitive racing and the next 20 weeks promises to produce the same kind of results.
The opening night card Wednesday includes the first visit of the year by the New York Sire Stakes as the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings will be on hand to compete in one division for a purse of $106,300. There will also be three Excelsior A races that will go for $20,000 each, bringing the total amount of loot up for grabs to $233,300 for that card.
The oddsmaker’s choice is the two-for-one entry of Bargain (Chapter Seven-Batoutahill) and Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility).
Bargain has two wins and a second in three starts this year while showing versatility over three different size tracks. One of those wins was a victory in the $77,300 NYSS at Yonkers in his first career outing in 1:59.1. The following week, he lowered his lifetime mark of 1:56.4 at the Meadowlands, closing in :27.3 in the $20,000 event. Bargain likes the front-end and leaving from post four, he should definitely be in charge of this group from the start. James McDonald will steer Bargain for trainer Nancy Takter.
Keep Asking has yet to win in two starts but recovered nicely after an early break in his first start to finish second in the NYSS at Yonkers and then bounced back with a fourth-place 1:56 clocking at Tioga Downs, where he was parked for the better part of the mile. Post seven may be a tough task. Jim Morrill Jr. will be in the bike behind Keep Asking for trainer George Ducharme.
A big threat will be looming from Situationship (Chapter Seven-Meegan Hall), who made a big three-wide move at three-quarters last week in the NYSS at Tioga, where he finished second in 1:55.1 off a :28.4 final quarter. Situationship has displayed extreme closing speed in two two-year-old non-betting events this year at Meadowlands and will be stalking the leader in the last stages of this race. Trainer Ake Svanstedt will also be driving Situationship.
Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting and Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel, is excited to welcome racing back to the facility and is appreciative of the many fans that attend the track all season to watch the action in person.
“The excitement of live harness racing begins on Wednesday at the Downs for fans of photo finishes, daily doubles and exotic wagers, and it should be an electrifying night of fun and entertainment," said Wojtaszek. "Our fans will be treated to competitive harness racing and great promotions that tie into our new remodelled Clubhouse, expansive gaming floor and the number one ranked hotel in Batavia. Our staff and those from New York State will ensure a safe racing meet for drivers and equine athletes, and we look forward to everyone joining us for live racing and all the fun that goes with it at the area’s premier entertainment destination.”
The live schedule changes several times throughout the year. Opening week has racing only on Wednesday and Saturday. In August, the action switches to Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from Aug. 1 to Aug. 12 and changes to Wednesday, Friday, Saturday from Aug. 16 through Oct. 28. The lone exception is Friday, Sept. 8, which will be dark in lieu of a Labor Day matinee on Monday, Sept. 4. Then in November and December, racing cuts back to two days a week on Wednesday and Saturday through the close of the meet. Post time for all race days is 6 p.m., except the Labor Day matinee that will start at 1:15 p.m.
Once again there is a hearty slate of stakes action courtesy of the New York Sire Stakes. The state-bred series will be in action on Wednesday, July 26; Tuesday, Aug. 1; Wednesday, Aug. 2; Tuesday, Aug. 8; Wednesday, Aug. 16; Saturday, Aug. 26; and Friday, Sept. 1.
There are two notable nights of racing this year: the first is Saturday, Aug. 26 when both three-year-old colt and filly divisions will be on the same card along with the $75,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational Pace, Batavia Down’s signature event.; then on Wednesday, Sept. 13, Batavia Downs was selected to host the NYSS Excelsior finals that will be contested for a total purse of $400,000.
The Clubhouse will be open for all race dates and offer a varied menu. Every Saturday will feature a prime rib buffet while the other race nights will be catered by the Center Street Smokehouse. The Railbar will always be open for live racing.
All the top drivers will be back including Jim Morrill Jr. and Kevin Cummings, who both had the distinction of becoming the first drivers to ever surpass the $1 million mark in earnings in a single meet at Batavia last year. Leading trainers Shawn McDonough, Jennifer Giuliani, Sam Smith, James Clouser Jr. and Dave Russo will also be back along with a host of others.
Don Hoover, Director of Live Racing and Race Secretary at Batavia Downs, is heading into his second year in those positions at the Downs and is looking to build upon the successes of last year.
“Overall, I was pleased with the 2022 summer/fall live race meet and was pleasantly surprised by the success of the recently concluded January/February winter meet," said Hoover. "I look forward to continuing that momentum into the upcoming 2023 summer/fall 53-day live race meet, highlighted by the $75,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace and the $400,000 New York Sire Stakes Excelsior finals."
Bettors will have plenty of opportunities with a wagering menu that includes three Doubles, 10 Exactas, 10 Trifectas, nine Superfectas, two Pick-3s, two Pick-4s, one Pick-5 and one Jackpot Super High Five available on every 10-race card.
Patrons will also have plenty of promotions to look forward to.
On opening night, there will be free programs in the grandstand and the Lotta Cash Giveaway where customers can deposit non-winning tickets wagered on Batavia Downs races for a chance to win two $250 betting vouchers and a Batavia Downs Gaming Play and Stay package that includes one night's stay at the Batavia Downs Gaming Hotel, $25 in gaming Free Play and a $50 dinner certificate to Fortune’s.
Every Wednesday is the Play and Stay promotion where customers can deposit non-winning tickets wagered on Batavia Downs races for a chance to win a Batavia Downs Gaming Play and Stay package that includes one night’s stay at the Batavia Downs Gaming Hotel, $25 in gaming Free Play and a $50 dinner certificate to Fortune’s.
Then there’s the Wednesday and Saturday Finale promotion where customers get $25 gaming Free Play when they wager $25 on the last race at Batavia Downs.
Every live race day Batavia Downs offers Match Play Free Play Frenzy where customers receive $25 gaming Free Play when their wager $25 at the same time on the same live Batavia Downs race. And there is also the Early Bird Daily Double, where customers receive $10 in gaming Free Play when they wager at least $10 at the same time on the Early Daily Double. Plus, every live racing program includes a $5 gaming Free Play coupon.
All promotions require participants be Players Club members and gaming Free Play is subject to required base points being earned before redemption. Full rules are available in the program.
Fans can watch all the live racing action for free on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel and free, full past performance programs for every live race night will be available on the Batavia Downs website at bataviadownsgaming.com under the "Live Racing" tab.
(Batavia Downs)