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Nora Lee a closing winner in Batavia feature

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Batavia, NY --- The weekly $9,000 pacing feature for the distaffers went to Joe Cicatello’s, Nora Lee, in 1:55.2, Wednesday night at Batavia Downs Casino.

Leaving from post-position four, Nora Lee with Jamie Dunlap at the lines followed second over cover, tipped three deep at the top of the stretch and outfinished the pocket sitting Pembroke Primo (Kevin Cummings) to win by 1-3/4 lengths. The Grey Filly (Ron Beback Jr.) closed from last to be third.

Nora Lee, a Modern Art 4-year-old mare, notched her 7th win of 2010 and raised her seasonal earnings to over $36,000. Mike Delano is the conditioner.

Batavia Downs Casino will host four New York Sire Stakes County Fair finals when racing resumes on Friday Night. Post time is 6:40 pm.

Saturday is Hall of Fame Night as The Downs inducts three of Western New York’s all-time top drivers - John Schroeder, Jeff Gregory and Clint Galbraith - in ceremonies at the winner’s circle. Gregory and Galbraith will be in the Casino lobby for a Meet ‘n Greet and autograph session beginning at 5:30. Also, race fans have a chance to win a set of Clint Galbraith’s colors via a random drawing. Sign up begins at 5:00 at Player’s Club.

Muckdogs clinch Pinckney Division title with win in Jamestown

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Muckdogs are playoff bound, and not as just some wild card hopeful, but as certified champs.

Tonight in Jamestown, the Muckdogs recorded their sixth-straight win to capture the Pinckney Division crown.

The team in the smallest city in the league now has a shot at its second league championship in three years.

Andrew Moss turned in another strong outing and Jon Rodriguez homered twice, giving him 11 on the season, as the Muckdogs beat the Jammers, 10-5.

Moss went six-and-a-third innings giving up four runs, but only one was earned. Anthony Ferrara came on to record his second save.

The Muckdogs now lead Williamsport by four games and Jamestown by 4.5 in the Pinckney Division.

Rodriquez went  2-5 with two solo home runs. Nick Longmire had two hits and three RBIs. Chris Edmundson continued his hot hitting at the top of the order, with two hits and three runs scored. Yuner Castillo also had two hits.

The division champs return home Thursday night to face the Jammers again, and then play Friday at Dwyer (fireworks!) against Auburn. 

The Muckdogs have three more regular season home games, and one more on the road.

Meet the Muckdogs: Chris Edmonson

By Gretel Kauffman

 

The reason it's so short is that the second half of the interview had to be left out because of poor sound quality. 

Wild ending to wild game gives Batavia fifth straight win

By Howard B. Owens

In a wild one last night, the Batavia Muckdogs won the team's fifth-straight game and extended its three-game lead over second place Williamsport by beating State College 12-11.

Batavia and the Spikes took a 9-9 tie into the 11th inning. In the top of the frame, State College scored two runs to pull ahead, but the Muckdogs put three runners across the plate in the bottom half to pull out the victory.

Wild throws doomed the Spikes in the 11th.

After the Muckdogs tied the score on a double by Geoffrey Klein, a triple by Chris Edmondson and a single by Victor Sanchez, Sanchez was able to reach second on a wild pitch.

Then things got really strange.

Audry Perez struck out swinging -- at a wild pitch. When Perez ran to first -- as a hitter can do when he strikes out but the catcher misses the ball -- catcher Miguel Mendez made the throw to first to record the out, but Sanchez, sprinting from second, didn't stop running. He scored the winning run when first baseman Gerlis Rodriguez threw the ball away.

Reliever Andy North was credited with the win.

Starter Nick McCully lasted only three-and-a-third innings, giving up 10 hits and nine runs (seven earned).

Edmundson and Sanchez each scored three runs in the game on two hits apiece.

Perez hit a grand-slam homer in the third.

The Muckdogs are in Jamestown tonight and return to Dwyer tomorrow to face the Jammers again. Jamestown is in third place in the Pinckney Division, three-and-a-half games behind Batavia.

UPDATE: Added video highlights from photographer Mike Janes.

HARNESS EXHIBIT ON DISPLAY AT BATAVIA DOWNS

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

It’s a tribute to the men and women who flirted with harness racing immortality. And the Harness Racing Hall of Fame exhibit will be on display this weekend at Batavia Downs Casino.

It’s called the Drive to Win exhibit and it features drivers and trainers who through circumstance or fate, did not rise to stardom. Their stories are poignant and down to earth and highlight that through adversity, the one shining element that connects them all is their love of and commitment to the great sport of harness racing.

Huge portraits, many provided by The United States Trotting Association and the sport’s weekly magazine Horseman And Fair World, introduce the subjects of the exhibit who were all nominated by racing fans. Each includes the complete story of the individual and what made them noteworthy in the sport.

There are 27 drivers and trainers featured in the exhibit including former Western New York regulars Jim Rankin, Robbie Rankin, George Forshey, and Angus Allen. You will also be able to see the stories of Richard Baker, Hugh Bell, Edwin Bither, Harry Burright, Vernon Crank, Harold R. Dancer, Norman Dauplaise, Alfred “Bucky” Day, Bea Farber, Hilda Heydt, Maxie Lee, Joe Lighthill, Howard Parker, Ervin Samples, Forrest Short, Phyllis Smith Page, Harold Snodgrass, Colby Turner, Sacher Werner, John “Tic” Wilcutts, Lew Williams, and Mildred Williams. Their stories provide an illuminating glimpse into this Great American Pastime.

The exhibit was stationary at the Hall of Fame of the Trotter in Goshen, NY until 2009 when it became a traveling ambassador of the sport. Its presentation here this week was made possible through support from Hanover Shoe Farms and is co-sponsored by Batavia Downs Casino and the Upstate NY Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association. It will be on display in The Paddock Room from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from Noon to 4:00 p.m. Labor Day Monday. Evening post times are 6:40 with a 1:15 matinee post on Labor Day.

We will also have many hand outs from the museum including the colorful and informative Hall of Fame Journal from this past July 4th inductions at Goshen, NY.

Many thanks to Tim Bojarski, President-Upstate New York Chapter of USHWA for making this exhibit possible.

'Jake Arnold' bests wiener dog field for second year in a row

By Howard B. Owens

"Jake Arnold" is one fast dachshund.

For the second year in a row, the 3-year-old owned by Jane Smart has won the prestigious Wiener Dog Races at Batavia Downs.

"Jake Arnold" beat out 52 other entrants, some of whom never even crossed the finish line, before a packed house of 3,850 race fans.

Taking second and third in the final heat of Sunday's races were Ron Schiller’s “Rudy” and Michael Tyrpak’s “Sahlen.”

From the Batavia Downs' press release:

While there’s no doubt "Jake Arnold" loves bacon treats, the key to success is he simply gets nervous when Jane Smart isn’t around.

“Since he’s been a pup, as soon as he sees me, he runs as fast as he can towards me,” said Smart, the winning dog's owner.

Thanks to “Jakes” good work, she received $100 to spend in the casino. And yes “Jake Arnold” will definitely be back next year.

For second-place finisher “Rudy,” this may have been his final appearance at the Genesee County oval. Definitely a champion, "Rudy" won the 2008 races and has finished second behind "Jake Arnold" the last two years.

“He’ll be 8 next year, we’ll have to see how’s he’s doing,” owner Ron Schiller said, but knowing Rudy, he’ll be back.

“We want to thank everyone for coming out and Petco for sponsoring the races,” said Todd Haight, promotional marketing specialist for Batavia Downs Casino and Western OTB. “It’s amazing how big this event has grown since its inception in 2005. It was definitely great to see such a large crowd.”

More pictures after the jump:

Muckdogs retain grip on 1st with 6-4 win over State College at Dwyer

By Howard B. Owens

Behind seven strong innings from starter Zach Russell, the first-place Batavia Muckdogs beat State College at Dwyer today, 6-4.

The Muckdogs, now 40-27, are a game and a half ahead of Jamestown in the Pinckney Division.

Russell gave up only two runs (one earned) and scattered 8 hits, to improve his record to 2-3 and lower his ERA to 2.72.

Third baseman Jon Rodriguez (pictured above scoring the first run of the game) sparked the offense, going 3-4, scoring twice and smacking two doubles. He had one RBI.

Joey Bergman, playing second base today, had only one hit in his three ABs, but it was a big one. Bergman drove in three runs in the sixth inning to give Batavia a 4-0 lead.

Catcher Audey Perez continued his hot hitting, going 2-4 and scoring a run. Nick Longmire also had a hit and a run scored. DH Patrick Biserta had two hits and an RBI.

Anthony Ferrara pitched two innings, giving up five hits and two runs, to pick up his first save of the season.

The Muckdogs have two more games at Dwyer against State College (32-36), followed by a game in Jamestown on Wednesday, then a home game against Jamestown on Thursday. On Friday, Batavia is at Dwyer for a game against Auburn.

There are only five more home dates left in the regular season.

More pictures after the jump:

Audey Perez

Jon Rodriguez slides safely into second. It was an odd play. The throw beat Rodriquez by at least a second, but the second baseman was a good five or six feet of the bag and couldn't get back to the base in time, even though Rodriguez started his slide too soon and got to the bag rather slowly.

Zach Russell.

Without knot holes in outfield walls, how is a kid supposed to sneek a peak at a professional baseball game? How about stand on his bike seat and handle bars and watch over the right field wall?

Zach Russell on the mound.

Meadows invader Snapper the best in Batavia Mares Open

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- It was another prime summer evening for harness racing in Western New York as the 64th season of live racing continued at America’s oldest lighted harness track. The feature race, the tenth race on the card, was a $9,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares with an optional claiming price of $17,500.

The feature went to the Meadows invader Snapper, with Jack Flanigen at the lines, pacing to the mile in a swift 1:56.3. In for the place was Pembroke Primo with John Cummings, Jr. Sun Belle Perfect and Ronny Beback showed up to round out the $55.00 trifecta.

Snapper and Flanigen moved from the rail to overtake the early lead from Cummings and Pembroke Primo just before the quarter pole. The talented mare took the front and cruised comfortably until just before the three-quarter pole when Tom Agosti and Jennifers Major showed a boost of speed to challenge Snapper just rounding the final turn. The efforts of the field did not overcome Snapper and Flanigen, as they drew away to win by 1-1/2 lengths. The fractions for Snapper were :28, :58.1 and 1:28.1.

Snapper is a 7-year-old mare by Keystone Luther. She’s owned by Anthony Cummings and Carl Cummings trains her. The winning $2 mutuel price was $3.20. Snapper was claimed out of the race for $21,000 by Howard Ouriel.

Live racing will continue this Friday and Saturday evening. Saturday features the annual tradition of Old Fashioned Night at Batavia Downs Casino. We will roll back the price of Sahlen’s hot dogs and soda to just 50 cents from 5 p.m. to the last race in the Paddock Room.

First Matinee of the Season at Batavia Downs Tomorrow

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Racing fans are reminded that Batavia Downs Casino will be conducting a special 12-race matinee program, on Sunday August 29. First race post time is 1:15pm.

Sunday is the first of three matinees scheduled this season, the others being Labor Day and Columbus Day.

"Batavia Downs Live," the 3 1/2 hour Time Warner cable broadcast of the Downs races will not be aired tomorrow.

"We simply couldn't get the airtime," Michael Kane, Vice President of Live Racing said. "With all the activities scheduled it's going to be a great day to be at the racetrack anyway."

Among the Family Fun activities scheduled for the kids are appearances from Pringles the Crown and Mr. Scribbles along with free pony rides. These events take place from two until four.

Food specials, beginning at noon, include $1.00 Sahlen Hots, Sodas, Popcorn and Snow Cones. A special clubhouse buffet will be served for just $7.95.

And finally after the last harness race of the afternoon its the annual wiener dog races, sponsored by Petco.

A total of 56 dachshunds will compete in 7 heats with the winner from each heat returning for a championship final. The owners of the top three finishers in the finals receive Casino free play. For more information visit www.bataviadownscasino.

Tioga Invader Biggest Big Bertha scores in Downs Feature

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

BATAVIA, NY – In the $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace on Wednesday at Batavia Downs, it was the Tioga Downs invader, Biggest Big Bertha, who sizzled the mile in 1:55.1 and took home the $4,500 top prize. The final time was just three ticks off the older mares track record.

Trained and driven by Rick Plano, Biggest Big Bertha made every pole a winning one but had to withstand a serious bid by 4/5 favorite Nora Lee and Kevin Cummings in deep stretch en route to a neck win. Artistry In Rhythm and Ken Holliday were up for third.

Biggest Big Bertha is a 9-year-old mare by Little Steven. She is owned by Marilee Keene. The fractions for the event were :29, :58.1 and 1:26.3.

Be sure to join us this weekend for exciting Live Racing promotions this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Batavia Downs Casino. Post time for Friday and Saturday is 6:40 PM. Friday evening is our annual Italian-American Night. On Saturday evening three lucky patrons will have a chance to win up to $1,000 as they enter the Cash Cube! Registration begins at 5 PM at Player’s Club.

Sunday marks the first matinee of the 64th Live Racing Season, with a post time of 1:15 PM. The famed Weiner Dog Races will follow Sunday’s racing action. The 56 dashing dachshunds will compete in 7 heats and take to the track shortly after the last harness race at approximately 4:20 PM.

Wiener Dogs highlight busy weekend at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

(Batavia NY) --- The always popular Wiener Dog Races will be featured as part of the Family Fun Day matinee at Batavia Downs Casino this Sunday August 29. First post time is 1:15 p.m.

There will be seven heats at the end of the 12-race harness card (about 4:20 p.m.) with a maximum of eight dogs each, followed by a “championship heat” between the winners of the seven qualifying events. The 100-yard event is staged on the track in front of the home stretch.

“The wiener dog races are very entertaining,” said Michael D Kane, Vice President of Operations and Live Racing. “We encourage the entire family to come out for this event on Sunday. It’s the perfect way to wrap up our family fun day of entertainment,” he added.

Mr Scribbles and Pringles the Clown will entertain the children from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in The Paddock Room. There will also be pony rides, $1 snow cones, Sahlen hot dogs and soda. A special clubhouse buffet will be featured for $7.95.

This year’s wiener dog race is sponsored by Petco on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia.

The weekend begins with Italian-American Night Friday evening when Oakfield Attorney Raymond Cianfrini is honored by The Downs as its Italian-American-of-the-Year. A special clubhouse buffet with an Italian flavor will be featured along with live music by the Formula Band.

Saturday night, three race fans will be drawn at random to enter the Casino’s Cash Cube and the chance to grab up to $1000 in cash. Sign-up begins at 5:00 at Player’s Club.

Batavia Downs Casino is owned and operated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation.

Photos: Norte Dame football practice

By Howard B. Owens

There's been something in the air the past couple of days that has the feel of "fall is almost here." Perhaps it's the drop in humidity.

Fall, of course, means more than gold, brown and yellow leaves. It also means football.

For local high school programs, practices are now in full swing.

The first games of the season are scheduled for Sept. 3.

On that date, Holley will be at Oakfield-Alabama for a 7 p.m. game; Hornell will be in Batavia for a non-league game at 7 p.m.; In another non-league match up, Le Roy is in Livonia at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Attica visits Notre Dame for a 1:30 p.m. league match up. Also at 1:30, Pembroke is at Alexander and Barker is at Elba/Byron-Bergen.

More pictures from today's practice for the Notre Dame squad after the jump:

Muckdogs play double-headers tonight and tommorrow

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Muckdogs will have two back-to-back double-headers on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 25 and 26 due to wet field conditions on Tuesday evening. Game time is 6:05 p.m. both days with gates opening at 5 p.m.

Any ticket purchased for Tuesday's game can be exchanged for two tickets to any future Muckdogs regular season game.
 
Wednesday is Homer’s Birthday Bash. In celebration, we will be giving out free ice cream bars to the first 250 fans courtesy of Hershey’s Ice Cream.

It’s also Drug Free Communities Family Four Pack where fans can get four general admission tickets, four hot dogs, four 12 oz. sodas and a 2010 Program for ONLY $30. Plus you’ll receive a FREE prize pack courtesy of Drug Free Communities.
 
Thursday offers the Knot Hole Game presented by Turnbull Heating and Air.
 
For tickets, call the Muckdogs Box Office at 343-5454, ext. 1005.

Tuesday's Muckdogs games cancelled because of wet field conditions

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Muckdogs did not play as scheduled Tuesday against Williamsport because the field at Dwyer was deemed too wet.

As a result, fans will be able to enjoy back-to-back double-headers tonight and Thursday, both beginning at 6:05.

In the NY-Penn league, double-header games are scheduled for only seven innings.

Muckdogs in pennant race with nine home dates left

By Howard B. Owens

There are nine home dates left in the 2010 Batavia Muckdogs season.

Will these be the final professional baseball games played in Batavia, the birthplace of the New York-Penn League?

At 6:05 p.m., the Muckdogs (34-26) open a double-header with Williamsport (35-27), followed by Wednesday and Thursday games with their division rival. Both teams are two games out of first place in the Pinckney division.

Jamestown is in first with a record of 37-25. The Jammers will be in Batavia on Sept. 2 for one game.

Fifth-round draft choice Nick Longmire remains among the league leaders in hitting, with 39 runs scored, five triples, eight homers and 44 RBIs.

Infielder Joey Bergman is among the top 10 hitters with a .315 average.

Justin Edwards leads the pitching staff with a 2.81 ERA while Andrew Moss has notched six wins.

Zach Russell, with a 1-3 record and 2.38 ERA is expected to start tonight's first game.

Dan Dickens Wins August 21, Batavia Downs Casino 1,000 Handicapping Contest!

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Congratulations to Dan Dickens of Batavia, the winner of the August 21, 2010 Batavia Downs Casino $1,000 Handicapping Contest! Dan bested 353 other contestants with a top score of 46 points to claim the $500 top prize.

A three-way tie for second place between Rick Case, Gary Macomber and Luann Furano, each 45 points, proved to be unbreakable as they selected the same winners during the nine race contest. Each will receive $150 for their fine efforts.

Three contestants finished with 44 points but it was John Hutchinson, with a tiebreaker total of $33.50 that was able to secure the fifth spot and take home $50.

All prize money can be picked up beginning on Wednesday, August 25, at 5:00 p.m. at Players Club. The next free handicapping contest of the season takes place, September 18. Many thanks to all that participated and Good Luck!

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