Davis Shifts Focus To New York

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Published: September 30, 2017 05:38 pm EDT

Effective immediately, driver Billy Davis Jr. will be concentrating his time at racetracks in two countries.

Trot Insider has learned that the Ontario-based Davis has committed to New York's Batavia Downs for the remainder of its 2017 meet. While Davis will focus on Batavia, he's still calling Canada home.

"I'm not going to be moving down to Batavia full-time; it's still close enough that I can commute," said Davis. "It's only two hours to Batavia, so it's not much different as if I was driving up to [Georgian Downs near] Barrie three times a week. I don't have to move, or relocate or drag the family anywhere. I can still drive at Flamboro, London, Woodbine if needed but my main focus will be on Batavia."

Davis plans to commit to Batavia when they race -- Friday, Saturday and Wednesday nights -- while driving at Ontario tracks the rest of the week. When Batavia wraps in mid-December, Davis plans to shift his primary attention to Buffalo Raceway when its meet starts up in January.

"They kind of have a 'mini circuit' with those two tracks, and that's where my focus is going to be."

Davis has been granted a P1 Visa, allowing him to cross the border and drive at U.S. racetracks. It's a process that has taken more than a year and a half for him to complete.

"There are so many horses and drivers here and not enough races for them. Many nights I'd be at Flamboro and there were more drivers in the drivers' room than on the track," admitted Davis. "When I went down before, I had a lot of luck, I enjoyed the racing and I enjoyed the people. I'm looking forward to going back."

In his first night of activity at Batavia, Davis is down to drive in six of the 12 races this Saturday (September 30). On Thursday at Flamboro, Davis has drives in three of 10 carded races.

"I know I'm going to get more drives down there," said Davis. "I know it's going to take a while to get my foot in the door and work my way back up but I'm quite happy with six drives [Saturday]."

Residing in Guelph, Ont. with wife Amy and son Liam, Billy Davis, Jr., has won 2,234 races in his career with earnings in excess of $18.5 million.

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