The horses are returning to Batavia Downs for another season of harness racing. The first dozen or so horses arrived today -- by Monday, officials expect the stables to be full and bustling once again.
Live harness racing makes its 2010 debut Monday. First post time is 6:40 p.m.
Thanks Howard for the
Thanks Howard for the pictures of "Shed Row" Brings back so many happy memories. Batavia Downs was really big "back in the day". It's where all the famous of the famous got their starts. Gilmore, Webster, Galbraith got their start as top seated drivers and "Bret Hanover" covered that half mile with the grace of an angel.
Hope they have a GREAT season and my best to all the boys. The newbees and the ole timers that just don't stop.............
Barb, I thought the same
Barb, I thought the same thing when I saw that picture.
Bea, It boggles my mind that
Bea, It boggles my mind that so few people remember that Batavia Downs was Batavia's bread and butter. It was something to look forward to "a night at the track". Then the dreaded OTB........That took the "personal" experience from the sight and sounds of those horses hitting the track and people scoring big on Daily Double, Tri-fecta's and long shots at the pari-mutual window. But just watching those animals and the drivers in sometimes 30 degree below zero windchill factor giving you their all would make the hair on my arms stand. Unfortunately, harness racing isn't at the "top" of sports anymore and that's sad to behold because it's the only sport where it isn't man against man. You had to factor in training days, days off, 8 horses and drivers against each other. The odds were something to behold and then a true champion would come along whereas the odds meant nothing. You just went to watch the magnificence of the animal..........I am so glad that we were there when it was "at its best!"
Howard often speaks of local
Howard often speaks of local business that provides jobs to locals and contributes to the local economy. That was Batavia Downs in it's heyday.
Our office took the photos for those applying for their NYS Harness License; processed all of the stable sheets; and issued the track passes to the horsemen (owners, trainers, drivers & grooms); to the people who worked in the grandstand for Sports Service; the guards who worked for Burke Security; the techs who worked for American Tote; those who provided services in the barn area - the vets, feed distributors, those who sold hay, etc.
For at least a week before the season would start, the lines of people waiting to get their paperwork processed would be out the door and down the driveway of the back gate.
The number of people working at the track in a season would number in the hundreds.
Granted, it was seasonal - and granted most of them applied for unemployment insurance when their work was done, but most of that earned money was spent right here at home.
OTB killed it.
I did the same kind of work
I did the same kind of work at the Meadowlands before I became an owner/trainer. Licensing, passes, parking permits, intogo sheets, etc., it was always an exciting time because of getting to meet people from all over the world. The Meadowlands was never maintained and has found itself in the same predicament. I still consider myself one of the "blessed" ones to have been able to be there when it was at the top. Yes, Batavia was a little metropolis with all the privately owned stores. Who ever went to a mall when Batavia had everything to offer and the residents had the monies to afford to shop.
Ah! MEMORIES!!!! I will be visiting Batavia soon to bring back my Aunt Ro's ashes and would love to see you.Lets try to make a date and I would really like to take a look at Howard's operation there. I so totally enjoy reading the local "what's happening" and all the pictures.......