Sports

Dave McNeight III, aka “Triple Sticks”, doubled his nickname on Tuesday (Aug. 13) night after he struck six wins on his opponents at Batavia Downs. McNeight won with Italia Seelster (1:57.2, $4.00), Arco N (1:56.3, $3.50), Molly Kool (1:56.2, $12.40), Arnold (2:00.2, $17.20), Alexander Hanover (2:01, $10.20) and Bettor B Sawyer (1:57.3, $10.20). And from the 12 races he drove in, McNeight also finished second three times and third once, giving himself a stellar .667 UDR for the evening.

McNeight started the night in sixth place for wins among all drivers at the Downs for the current meet and jumped past Joe Chindano Jr. (9) and Drew Monti (10) into fourth with his current count (12) and now sits right behind Jim McNeight Jr. (13). The top two drivers are Jim Morrill Jr. (19) and Kevin Cummings (14).

The one race McNeight didn’t win was the $13,500 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares that went to Tioga Downs based Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) who made her second start at Batavia Downs a winning one as she wreaked havoc on her opponents.

Won Surreal Deal took the lead off the gate before momentarily yielding to Summer Lovin (Kevin Cummings) at the :28 quarter. But as soon as that one cleared, Won Surreal Deal was out again and charged back to the front, where she would remain for the rest of the mile. Won Surreal Deal kept the pace honest to the half in :56.4 but then turned on the heat up the backstretch, where she pulled away to a three length lead as she passed three-quarters in 1:25 flat. Around the last turn, Won Surreal Deal kept tightening the screws and entered the lane on top by 4-½ lengths. As she made her way down the stretch, Won Surreal Deal swelled up and torched the field by seven wrapped-up lengths and tripped the light in 1:53.4.

It was the third win of the year for Won Surreal Deal ($5.50) who is owned by Parsimonious Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Aug. 13) at 6 p.m.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

Wednesday (August 14) night at Batavia Downs, one five horse field consisting of 2-year-old pacing fillies will line up in the New York sire Stakes for their shot at the winner’s share of the $102,500 purse that is available for this small but select group.

Headlining that field is Cowgirl Hanover (Huntsville-Code One Hanover) who comes in undefeated lifetime and is anticipated to be the prohibitive post time favorite.

Cowgirl Hanover has been peerless in her first five career starts, all of which were victories in NYSS events by as many as three open lengths. Her 1:53.3 lifetime best effort at Yonkers on July 11 came despite dealing with broken equipment at the end of the race. She is the leader in points (250) and earnings ($207,500) in her division of the NYSS and will certainly add to those totals here.

Trainer Jared Bako will have Doug McNair between the wheels again and they will depart from post one on Wednesday.

One of Cowgirl Hanover’s main threats appears to come from her stablemate and another Bako trainee, The Last Martini (Huntsville-Martinique) who is coming off a lifetime mark (1:54.1) of her own last week at Saratoga Raceway. She has two less starts than the rest of this field this year, but seems to be rounding into form nicely off that last outing.

The Last Martini will have Jason Bartlett at the lines and they will start right next to Cowgirl Hanover in post two.

Another one to watch here is Send It Down Slim (Huntsville-Rockinsangria), who has not missed the board in five NYSS starts with two wins, two seconds and one third. And those efforts have her sitting second for points (162) and earnings ($120,581) behind Cowgirl Hanover. But she has also lost to both Cowgirl Hanover and The Last Martini in her last two starts, despite having post one in both outings. Here she drew post five, but her gate speed may very well give her the advantage she needs anyway.

Trainer Ray Schnittker once again has Mark Macdonald in the bike, who has driven this filly all year.

The New York Sire Stake event will go as race six. There are also four, $20,000 Excelsior stakes that are carded as races two, four, eight and 10. Post time for the first race on Wednesday is 6 p.m.

Driver Kevin Cummings had his biggest night of the meet so far at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 10) evening after winning a total of five races on the program. His most notable victory came in the $13,500 Open Handicap pace with The Longest Yard, who closed late for the win.

Vel Mr. Nice Guy (Joe Chindano Jr.) cut the mile while The Longest Yard sat chilly in the garden spot with the trip. After the race passed the half in a tepid :57, Melanion N (Drew Monti) pulled first-over in turn three and marched towards the leader up the backstretch. After the pace picked up with a 1:25.2 third quarter, Melanion N got to within a length of Vel Mr. Nice Guy and closed that gap a bit more in the far turn.

When the group straightened out for home, The Longest Yard shook loose at the pylons and the three horses dashed to the wire. In deep stretch, Vel Mr. Nice Guy faded but Melanion N and The Longest Yard forged ahead and hit the light in unison, taking a photo to determine that The Longest Yard won by a nose in 1:53.3.

It was the fourth win of the year for The Longest Yard ($3.60) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.

Cummings’ other wins came with Better Take It (1:54.3, $4.60) and Ys Lotus (1:55.4, $3.60) who were also owned by Torcello and trained by Smith, with Kyuquot (1:57.4, $6.60) and Thor De Vie (1:56.2, $2.30) rounding out his quintuple.

The co-featured $13,500 Open I-II Handicap trot was won by Treasured Tee (Joe Chindano Jr.) who led from start to finish. After stopping the clock at :27.4, :58.2 and 1:27.4, Treasured Tee rounded the final bend and then headed for home, stretching out to a 1-½ length upset victory in 1:57.4.

It was the seventh win of the year for Treasured Tee ($29.20) who is owned by Stephane Geoffroy and Francis Guillemette, who also trains the winner.

Chindano had a solid night in the bike himself after scoring a hat trick. One of those three wins was Keystone Doral, who was last at three-quarters before circling the field to win by 1-½ lengths in 1:57.4 at 49-1. Keystone Doral paid $100.50 to win.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Aug. 13) at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,902 carryover in the Pick-5 in the first race and a $280 carryover in the Super Hi-5 in race 13.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

The $105,000 New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers were at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 7) and both divisions were won by heavy favorites.

The first $52,500 division went to Thirsty Thursday (Huntsville-Tequila Monday) who equaled his lifetime mark with an impressive outing.

Thirsty Thursday (Matt Kakaley) took the lead from Courts On Fire (Greg Merton) passing the :28.4 quarter and never looked back from there. After getting to the half in :57.4, Thirsty Thursday faced challenges from Oogleville (Jason Bartlett) and Holt Hanover (Mark Macdonald) going to three-quarters, but he turned back both by the top of the lane. As they straightened for home, Thirsty Thursday was under Kakaley wraps and coasted home clean in 1:54.3.

Thirsty Thursday ($2.30) is now three for three lifetime for owners/breeders Flying A Racing Stable and Chuck Pompey. Travis Alexander trains the winning colt.

The second $52,500 split went to Fast Choice (Courtly Choice-Fashion Guru) who also remained undefeated.

Fast Choice (Doug McNair) got away third as Groovin Will (Greg Merton) marched to the half in a very pedestrian 1:01. As the race advanced to the five-eighths, Fast Choice pulled first-over and cleared the front in a :28.2 third panel. From there, Fast Choice bolted home on top by two lengths in a :27.2 closer to win in 1:56.4.

It was the third straight win for Fast Choice ($3.40) who is owned by Ashley Bako and Randy Zane and trained by Jared Bako. Winbak Farm bred the winner.

There were also three $20,000 Excelsior stakes on the card.

The first was won by Southpaw (American Ideal-Love You Bye) in 1:57.1 for driver/trainer/owner/breeder Jimmy Whittemore.

The second went to Digging For Gold (Huntsville-Gold Orchid N) in 1:56.3, driven by Tyler Buter for trainer George Ducharme who co-owns with Jim Winske and Dr. Megan Moschgat. Bamq bred the winner.

The third was won by Invictus (Huntsville-Dark Force) in 1:56.4, driven by Jim Morrill jr. for trainer Roland Mallar and owner Jeffrey Nanna. James Crawford IV bred the winner.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 10) at 6 p.m.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

After winning on the front-end just last week, Center Attraction completely changed strategies but still got the same results in the $13,500 Open pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Aug. 6) evening.

Jim McNeight Jr. got away last with Center Attraction while Imprincessgemma A (Shawn McDonough) was on the point, jousting with Forgot Thewallet A (Kyle Swift) through quarters of :27.2 and :55.3 over a rain affected track listed as good. When the race came out of turn three, the field started to bunch and Center Attraction had made her way to fifth, second-over on the outside.

Forgot Thewallet A stalled at three-quarters so Center Attraction tipped three-deep around her in the last turn. At the top of the lane, Center Attraction drew even with Imprincessgemma A and then confidently pulled away to the line where she won by a length in 1:56.1.

It was the third win of the year for Center Attraction ($10.80) who is owned by her trainer Robert Anderson, in partnership with Pamela Schieber.

Leading all drivers for wins on Tuesday were Joe Chindano Jr., who had a natural hat trick in races one, two and three and Dave McNeight III, who matched Chindano's output with a natural hat trick of his own in races eight, nine and 10.  

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 7) at 6 p.m.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

The New York Sire Stakes return to Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 7) and will feature 2-year-old male pacers that will go in two divisions for a total purse of $105,000. The 12 pacers will feature two undefeated leaders in the NYSS as well as both holding national ranking.

Travis Alexander’s Thirsty Thursday (Huntsville-Tequila Monday) and Jared Bakos’ Fast Choice (Courtly Choice-Fashion Guru) are mirror images of each other. They are both undefeated with two wins in two lifetime starts that both came in NYSS action with identical best winning times of 1:54.3. And this has them both tied in first for points (100) and earnings ($77,300) in their NYSS category so far this year. Their earnings currently also have them tied as the fifth richest 2-year-old male pacers in North America. And finally, neither one of them raced last week in the NYSS contest at Monticello Raceway.

Since both are undefeated, they have obviously never gone head to head in a race yet and that will be the case once again on Wednesday.

Thirsty Thursday will be in the first $52,500 division and has drawn post two for regular driver Matt Kakaley and the competition will be looking to hand him his first loss.

Courts On Fire (Courtly Choice-Ashlee’s Spitfire) has not missed the board in three career starts, having finished one-two-three in NYSS action to this point. He took his lifetime mark of 1:55.3 just last week at Monticello in a convincing 2-1/4 length romp as the heavy favorite. He is currently third for points (87) and earnings ($54,183) and will look to improve that position here.

Blake Macintosh has Greg Merton aboard from post three.

Meltdown Monte (Huntsville-Sage N) is winless this year but has finished third in two NYSS starts. He has shown to be quite versatile in those two outings and drawing post one will definitely help his chances.

Tyler Buter will steer for trainer Scott Di Domenico.

Fast Choice will start from post one in the second $52,500 split with Doug McNair at the lines. He is coming off a scratch last week at Monticello but will look to regain his momentum against some tough competition.

Silent Weapon (Huntsville-D D Delightful) has hit the board in all three of his lifetime starts and is coming off a 6-1/2 length, 1:54.4 runaway victory at Monticello in NYSS action. He certainly looks like he has just hit his stride and will be more than formidable in this race.

Matt Kakaley will steer for this other Alexander-trained entry and will start from post four.

Groovin Will (Roll With Joe-Who Moved The Rock) won his last start in Excelsior action at Monticello and it was an impressive 1:54.1 lifetime best. He makes the leap to the NYSS here, but does it off the best race of his life and he should be considered a threat.

Trainer Blake Macintosh has Greg Merton between the wheels, who piloted him to victory last week.

The NYSS are carded as race six and eight. There are also three $20,000 Excelsior events programmed as race two, four and 10. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m. 

A pair of $13,500 Open Handicaps – one on the pace and one on the trot – highlighted the Saturday (Aug. 3) night card at Batavia Downs and both events provided exciting finishes.

In the pacing feature, Stranger Things (Jim Morrill Jr.) tripped out to victory with a fast finish.

Vel Mr. Nice Guy (Joe Chindano Jr.) and Stranger Things lined up one-two off the gate and skated through very soft fractions of :28.2 and :58.2 before Scribblers (Kyle Swift) led the charge on the outside heading into turn three. Chindano picked up the pace with Vel Mr. Nice Guy with a :27.4 third quarter and that erased Scribblers advance. But as that one faded around the final bend, it gave Stranger Things a clear path from the pocket to the middle of the track. At the top of the stretch, Morrill simply loose-lined Stranger Things who then just paced right buy Vel Mr. Nice Guy on his own to win by one-half length in 1:54.2.

It was the second win in the last three starts for Stranger Things ($12.80) who is owned by Kathy Schoeffel and James Reuther and trained by Angelo Nappo.

Morrill ended the night with a grand slam in the bike as he also won with Tiger Baron (1:54.3, $2.50), Sleeping Single (1:55.4, $4.80) and Stay Safe (1:59.3, $2.30).

Then in the top trot, Power And Grace (Drew Monti) hung tough late to beat the boys and claim her 65th career victory.

E Street (Kevin Cummings) grabbed the front first and yielded to Power And Grace at the :27.2 quarter. But as soon as she seated, Crazy Ritz (Jim McNeight Jr.) took the lead from her as they trotted past three-eights. But immediately, Monti pulled Power And Grace back out at the half and went back to the top, and this time for good. E Street pulled back out from third in the clubhouse turn and trotted alongside Crazy Ritz in second to three-quarters in 1:26.4. But that bid failed leaving Crazy Ritz clear to take his best shot. He pulled heading into the stretch and incrementally drew alongside Power And Grace. Both horses dug in for the line but Power And Grace was too good and hung on to win in 1:56.4.

It was the ninth win of the year and 65th Lifetime victory for Power And Grace ($6.00) who is owned by Hartel Maintenance, Lormer McClure, Brett Macdonald and Reg Higgs. Ronald Macdonald trains the 9-year-old daughter of Holiday Road-Mark Of Honour who has hit the board in 71% of her 202 career starts and sports a lifetime win percentage of 32%.  

Monti scored the hat trick at the lines after also winning with I’m Already Gone (1:55.3, $13.40) and Maskedman (1:55.4, $4.40).  

Sam Smith led all trainers on Saturday with two wins.

Batavia Downs driving legend Gaston Guindon visited the track on Saturday and he was greeted by throngs of fans who vividly recalled his decades of driving dominance over the Genesee County oval. Guindon topped the local driver colony throughout the 1980’s and 90’s while winning many driving titles there during that time. The native of Buckingham, Quebec that made western New York his home for many years, left an indelible mark on the local harness racing scene while setting a standard of driving excellence that is still revered today. Guindon’s 3,080 wins and $7 million in purses highlighted a career that wrapped up in 2004 when “The Gasser” officially retired.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Aug. 6) at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,004 carryover in the Super Hi-5 in race 12.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

Press Release:

Two $57,000 divisions of New York Sire Stake 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings lined up at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 31) evening and a pair of heavily favored Travis Alexander trainees, Howlenthehills (American Ideal-Arielle Lynn) and Huntingforchrome (Huntsville-All On Top Hanover), who were directed by driver Matt Kakaley, put on impressive performances to secure victories in both contests.

In the first event, Howlenthehills maintained his control from post one and led the field that lined up in post position order through quarters of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:26.1 without any provocations from behind. Halfway through the final turn, Boston Rocks (Jason Bartlett) vacated the garden spot and took his best shot at the leader. But after Boston Rocks got within a length at the top of the stretch, Howlenthehills simply pulled away under a line drive by Kakaley to win in 1:53.3.

It was the third straight win and eighth win in the last nine starts for Howlenthehills ($3.40) who has now earned $268,850 this year for owner Symmetry Stable.

Then in the second split, Huntingforchrome got away last by almost 10 lengths as Vandiemen Bluechip (Braxton Boyd) called the shots on top. While Taranaki (Kevin Cummings) was breathing down his back, Vandiemen Bluechip backed down the half to a tepid :58.3 while stacking up the field before they all entered the third turn.

When the group moved past five-eighths, Brett Beckwith pulled the right line on Ameritric from fourth and Huntingforchrome followed as the pace quickened to three-quarters in :28 flat. Then as they moved through the final bend, Ameritric could not gain ground on Vandiemen Bluechip so Kakaley tipped Huntingforchrome three-high as they entered the stretch. From there, Huntingforchrome closed out a sparkling :26.4 final quarter by bolting for home under no urging whatsoever to win by 1-½ lengths in 1:53.4.

It was the second win in the last four starts for Huntingforchrome ($2.10) who is owned by NY Seb Inc.

Howlenthehills and Huntingforchrome were both bred by Crawford Farms.

There were also three $20,000 Excelsior races on the card and one of them went faster than both NYSS events.

Escape To America (American Ideal-Flirtiscape) won easily in 1:53.1 for driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Deborah Daguet for owners/breeders John Darrah and Lawrence Keethe.

Bruce’s Vo N Coke (Huntsville-Better Chill Out) won in 1:54.1 with Bartlett also in the bike for trainer John Berger and owner/breeder Joe Meany.

Printville (Huntsville-Thumbprint) scored in 1:53.3 for driver Brett Beckwith and trainer George Ducharme for owner Purple Haze Stables. John Newman bred the winner.  

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 3) at 6 p.m.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

After a lengthy rain delay due to a mid-summer deluge that moved through Genesee County halfway through the card, a full field of of top class mares convened in the $13,500 Distaff Handicap pacing feature that was won by Center Attraction.

A stiff tussle for front-end dominance took place off the gate between Summer Lovin (Kevin Cummings), Imprincessgemma A (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Center Attraction (Jim McNeight Jr.) with Center Attraction forging her way to the lead in a swift :27.1. From there she took control of the race with Summer Lovin securely tucked in the pocket. Center Attraction then made her way to the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:25.4 without any pressure from behind. But after the girls made their way into the last turn, Summer Lovin popped the deuce and advanced towards the leader. The two mares paced side by side to the top of the stretch where Center Attraction separated herself by a neck and won in 1:55.2.

It was the 25th career win for Center Attraction ($4.60) who is owned by her trainer Robert Anderson, in partnership with Pamela Schreiber.

Jim McNeight Jr. was the top driver at the Downs on Tuesday after he scored a grand slam in the bike. Besides Center Attraction, McNeight also won with Escape The House (1:56.3, $4.80), Lunar Credit (2:00.1, $3.50) and Walk It Talk It (1:56.2, $6.10).

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 31) at 6 p.m.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

The two hottest pacers currently competing in the 3-year-old colts and geldings division of the New York Sire Stakes will be at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 31) for a head to head tilt in the first of two $57,000 divisions that highlight the stellar mid-week card.

Howlenthehills (American Ideal-Arielle Lynn) has been on a tear this year, winning seven out of his eight starts with one second as well. That lone defeat came by only one-half length in the $225,000 MGM Messenger Stake final at Yonkers Raceway last month to his stablemate, Sweet Beach Life. Other than that, he’s been a wrecking ball since April over every track surface he’s been on. He is undefeated in NYSS action this year, took a 1:50.1 lifetime mark at Vernon Downs in June and his overall efforts currently place him as the fourth richest 3-year-old male pacer in North America to date.

Boston Rocks (Boston Red Rocks-Scirocco Sarah) has started four times in NYSS action this year, winning twice and finishing second twice, with those two losses coming to Howlenthehills. His lifetime mark came in an overnight at Mohegan Sun Pocono when he paced around their red surface in 1:51.4 while pulling away by 7-1/2 lengths. He rolled that win into another devastating performance in his last start at Monticello Raceway, where he won his split of the NYSS in 1:52.3 by nine lengths in a laugher.

These two pacers have a lot in common.

Howlenthehills is the top point-getter (150) and highest earner ($101,600) in his NYSS classification while Boston Rocks is tied with him for points (150) while sitting second right behind him for earnings ($94,650)

But they also have a couple outstanding differences.

Howlenthehills was winless as a 2-year-old, including seven starts in the NYSS, and only earned $36,381. While in his first year of racing, Boston Rocks won four races, including three NYSS legs and the $225,000 final before making an appearance in the Breeders Crown final. All of which earned him $352,922.

The other major difference is Howlenthehills is a gelding while Boston Rocks is a colt. So there are two track records in jeopardy on Wednesday as a result of this match-up.

The Batavia Downs standard for a 3-year-old pacing gelding is 1:51.2 while for a 3-year-old pacing colt is 1:52.2, so this is something that bears watching.

Howlenthehills has drawn post one for trainer Travis Alexander and will tour the facility with Matt Kakaley once again in tow while Boston Rocks has post two, with his regular reinsman Jason Bartlett in the bike for trainer Mike Deters.

In the second division, Alexander will also be starting Huntingforchrome (Huntsville-All On Top Hanover) who is another horse who could stake a claim at a new track record as he comes into this start with a lot of asterisks, but also a lot of speed.

Huntingforchrome started out the year with two NYSS starts that yielded one second place finish for then trainer Jenn Bongiorno. Two weeks after that, the gelding found himself in Travis Alexander’s barn and has been a speed show on the Grand Circuit ever since.

His first start for Alexander was in the Meadowlands Pace elimination where he was race timed in 1:49.3, but he was rigged incorrectly according to Alexander in an interview after the race. With the proper changes made, Huntingforchrome then won a 3-year-old Open pace at the Meadowlands in a sparkling lifetime best 1:48.1, finished second in 1:49.1 by 1-3/4 lengths in the Adios elimination at the Meadows and then finished fourth in the Adios final by only 2-1/2 lengths while being race timed in 1:49.4. That start was only four days removed from this NYSS outing at Batavia, which is his first NYSS tilt since mid-June.

Alexander has Matt Kakaley in the bike behind Huntingforchrome and they will start from post five in this event.

His main competition appears to be Ameritric (American Ideal-Electric Fool) who is the only starter in this field with a NYSS victory this year, coming in a lifetime best 1:52.3 outing at Buffalo. Other than that, Ameritric has won three overnights and has posted the highest earnings of this group this year ($68,750).

Brett Beckwith will take the reins for trainer George Ducharme from post three.

Taranaki (Huntsville-Free Fi Girl) is as consistent as a horse can be, finishing seven out of nine starts in the money with four straight checks in the NYSS. He has gate speed and having drawn post one, will be in the mix from start to finish.

Trainer Paul Jessop has called upon local leading driver Kevin Cummings to steer this week.

The New York Sire Stake divisions will go as race seven and nine while the three $20,000 Excelsior races are carded as three, five and 11. Post time for race one is at 6 p.m.

All connections of horses who will be racing at Batavia Downs this year should note that a new text line has been established to relay vital information regarding draws and racing action for the upcoming meet that will start on Saturday, July 27.

Horsemen and women can sign up for this service by texting bataviadowns at 407-536-9945.

Please note that this number has changed since the start of this service two weeks ago. If you originally subscribed at 732-363-7700, you need to re-subscribe to the new number listed.

By subscribing to this service, you will be notified immediately when there is a need to fill races or if there is any change in schedule. So all are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.