Ted, owned by Noel and Bill Schmitt of Kenmore, is the 2024 Wiener Dog Race winner at Batavia Downs.
The race capped a Sunday of family fun at the race track, including face painting, pumpkin decorating, balloon animals, a clown, pony and carriage rides, and chatting with author Rollond Eddy.
Press Release:
A pair of $9,500 conditioned trots were featured Friday (October 11) at Batavia Downs on a night that saw winds gusting over 40 mph down the lane.
In the first contest, All About Thechase (Jim McNeight Jr.) sat second while Franks Watching (Ray Fisher Jr.) did all the heavy lifting during the mile. After getting to the half in 1:02.2, Franks Watching was under siege from Slayin Theday Away (Drew Monti) from the half to three-quarters, who was joined by Famous Dan (Kevin Cummings) moving three-wide in the final turn. But it was the tripping All About Thechase who quietly ducked into the passing lane and out-trotted them all to the line where he won by a neck in 2:01.3.
It was the second win in a row for All About Thechase ($11.20) who is owned by the Caprio Stable and trained by Alana Caprio.
The second group saw the off-time favorite Skyway Professor (Dave McNeight III) get away sixth early. But he also got underway quickly at three-eighths in pursuit of the loose leader Rough Tuff Tested (Jim McNeight Jr.), who was rolling to the half in :59. Skyway Professor advanced to second on the outside next to Hellrider (Mike Caprio), but was still 2-3/4 lengths behind the leader at three-quarters. However Skyway Professor started cutting into that lead around the last turn and drew alongside Rough Tuff Tested in the stretch. From there, Skyway Professor got the advantage in deep stretch and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.1.
It was the ninth win of the year for Skyway Professor ($4.00) who is owned by the Out In The Country Stable and Daniel Tybor and trained by Jim Rothfuss.
Driver Joe Chindano Jr. had a grand slam during the night, winning with Arrakis (2:00.4, $3.90), Run Like Hill (2:01, $3.70), Lootable (1:56.1, $83.00) and Tidal shark (1:58.1, $2.90). Arrakis and Run Like Hill were trained by Francis Guillemette, who led all conditioners for wins on Friday.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (October 12) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $641 carryover in the Pick-5 in the first race and also a $3,207 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 12th race.
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.
Summer Slash took advantage of a step back from last week’s Open into a lower conditioned event at Batavia Downs, where she power-moved to victory in the $12,500 fillies and mares pacing feature on Wednesday (October 9) night.
Center Attraction (Jim McNeight Jr.) took the lead passing the quarter and took the field to the half in a pedestrian :59. That prompted True That (Kevin Cummings) to move to the outside and summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) took advantage of the cover from fifth. As the field bunched at three-quarters, Fisher tipped Summer Slash three-wide in the last turn and when they hit the stretch, she was gone. Summer Slash paced to the line clear by two in 1:57 over the rain-soaked track rated as good.
It was the fourth win of the year for Summer Slash ($8.80) who is owned by Ilovemyharnesshorsesummer and trained by Ryan Swift.
There were also two $9,500 conditioned paces for distaff competitors.
In the first, NY Hardcore (Bradley Jackson) sat behind Casie’s Believer (Joe Chindano Jr.) for seven-eighths of the mile before tipping into the passing lane and brushing to the line first by a half length in 1:58.3. Casie’s Believer ($5.20) is owned by Sonia Joly and trained by Francis Guillemette.
The second was won by Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) who pulled first-over at the half to take the lead from Lookatmyart (Kevin Cummings) and then pull away from the field in the stretch by four lengths to win in 1:55.4. Won Surreal Deal ($6.60) is owned by Parsimonious Racing Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson.
Driver Kyle Cummings and trainer Chris Petrelli each scored a hat trick to lead their respective categories on Wednesday.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (October 11) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $2,699 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
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.
Driver Kyle Cummings was on point Saturday (October 5) night at Batavia Downs after winning both the $13,000 Open Handicap trot with Double Class and $13,000 Open Handicap pace PL Quarantine in convincing fashion.
First in the trot, Cummings took Double Class off the gate and trailed from fifth as Power And Grace (Drew Monti) led the field to the half in a tepid :58.4. But that tempo would soon pick up when Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) came calling first-over with Double Class drafting one out and one back. These positions remained unchanged to three-quarters and around the last turn where Double Class tipped three-wide heading into the stretch and then trotted home alone while Cummings high-lined and broke the beam in 1:57.2.
It was the second win in the last three starts and eighth win overall this year for Double Class ($20.40) for owner/trainer Jim Clouser Jr.
Then in the pace Cummings took immediate control of the race with PL Quarantine, who led at every stage of the race. After setting quarters of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:26, PL Quarantine broke away by 2-½ lengths around the last turn and then bolted home on top by three in 1:53.3.
It was the seventh consecutive win for PL Quarantine ($3.60) who is owned by Jane Stanley and his trainer Joe Alba.
Cummings also won with Catch A Lefty A (1:57, $3.00) to complete his hat trick.
A notable win came in the $11,000 mid-level conditioned trot where the venerable trotter Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) employed one of his patented come-from-behind brushes to hit the line first in 1:59 and chalk-up the 65th win of his career. The now 10-year-old Lougazi ($35.20) has now earned $573,259 for his owner Mary Warriner and trainer Ryan Swift.
Mike Deters was the top conditioner on Saturday, sending two from his stable to the winner’s enclosure.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (October 9) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,940 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.
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.
When Drew Monti won the first race at Batavia Downs on Friday (October 4) night with Heavens Fury (2:00.4, $5.10), he reached a major milestone by registering the 2,500th win of his career and he did it on his 30th birthday. The win was only the first of four that Monti had during the evening, putting an exclamation mark on his accomplishment. He also won with Hudsonandbernard (1:57.2, $9.90), I’m Already Gone (1:56.4, $6.10) and Seasiderocket (1:58.4, $7.20).
Monti started driving at New York fairs in 2012 at the age of 17 and won his very first start behind Super Grover at Waterloo, NY. A year later, he got his first pari-mutuel win at Batavia Downs in the fall of 2013 behind Right Back At You who was a heavy favorite at 1-9, and Monti has remained a favorite of trainers and bettors alike on several circuits ever since.
Although racing full time at Batavia Downs where he won the driving title in 2016 and 2018, Monti has also been a regular reinsman at Plainridge Park since 2019 where he has finished in the top five among that driver colony on four different occasions. Over the years, Monti has also competed at The Meadowlands, Yonkers, The Meadows, Woodbine-Mohawk Park, Northfield, The Red Mile and Buffalo.
For his career overall, Monti now has 2,503 wins, 2,393 seconds and 2,253 thirds from a total of 16,957 starts and just under $19.5 million in purses as a result.
Monti’s big night Friday also vaulted him into first place for wins at the current meet at Batavia, as he now sits on top of the list with 55 wins ahead of Kevin Cummings (53), Joe Chindano Jr. (53) and Dave McNeight III (52).
The one race Monti did not win was the $9,500 featured trot where Makes Me Charlie (Jim McNeight Jr.) grabbed the lead past the half and won boldly by 2-¾ lengths in 1:58.1. Makes Me Charlie ($2.90) is owned by Amy Butler and Margaret Butler, who also trains the winner.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (October 5) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,473 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.
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.
Despite his current sharp racing form, Louie The Lilac was grossly overlooked at the windows and sent off at 21-1. However the punter’s snub didn’t faze “Louie” as she blew up the tote board after winning the $13,000 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (October 2) evening.
Louie The Lilac (Shawn McDonough) got away fourth as Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings), It’s Corona Time (Joe Chindano Jr.) and Oaxacan Dream N (Dave McNeight III) all left and paced three abreast around the first turn. As they headed up the backstretch, It’s Corona Time opted out to third while Oaxacan Dream N forged ahead for a long journey as Won Surreal Deal owned the lead at the pegs and wasn’t going to relent. These top two paced to the half in :55.1 before Oaxacan Dream N began to tire from the airing.
As the race approached five-eighths, Louie The Lilac tipped out from third and drew alongside It’s Corona Time as both were still chasing Won Surreal Deal heading to three-quarters. Won Surreal Deal opened up two lengths in the last turn, where Louie The Lilac pulled ahead of It’s Corona Time and then went back to the pylons. At the top of the stretch, McDonough dipped Louie The Lilac into the passing lane and bolted past the tiring Won Surreal Deal to win by a length in a season’s best, 1:54.1.
Louie The Lilac ($45.80) is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.
McDonough, Smith and Torcello also won the $11,000 with True That, who came from nowhere to swoop the group.
True That got away sixth while Shooting Brooke (Joe Chindano Jr.) marched off quarters of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:25.4. At that last station, Dark Eclipse N (Drew Monti) tipped from second to go after the leader and True That was still sixth and third-over in the outer flow. At the top of the stretch, Dark Eclipse N took the lead and looked like a winner. But True That came from the clouds, five wide in the middle of the track and zoomed by everyone to win at the line in 1:55.3.
It was the third win in a row for True That ($11.20).
Besides the two top paces, the owner/trainer combination of Torcello and Smith also lit up the board two other times on Wednesday, as their barn continues to be red hot. Joining their stablemates Louie The Lilac and True That in victory were Scenic Adventure (1:55.1, $3.60) and Stonebridge Hypnos (1:56, $3,50).
Drew Monti was a wizard at the reins on Wednesday, scoring a grand slam during the night, including a natural hat trick in races 12, 13 and 14. Monti won with Bet I’m Lucky (1:56, $17.60), Embrace The Rust (2:01.4, $8.70), Shake me Loose (1:57.1, $5.20) and the already mentioned Stonebridge Hypnos.
Monti now sits one win shy of career win 2,500, which he has an excellent chance of getting this Friday (October 4) when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs at 6 p.m. Friday will also feature a $1,115 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.
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.
With no one hitting the Pick-5 wager again at Batavia Downs on Saturday (September 28) night, there is a $2,112 carryover for that wager in the first race on Wednesday (Oct. 2) night at The Downs and track management has announced that pool will be guaranteed at $7,500 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. Post time for the first race on Wednesday is 6 p.m.
As part of the program, Trackmaster is offering free full past performance programs on the USTA website through this link (https://www.trackmaster.com/freeContent/usta/freeContentFiles/hpl/btv1002x.pdf).
The Pick-5 at Batavia Downs is a 50-cent minimum wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. If all five winners aren’t selected, the carryover amount will then move to the Friday (Oct. 4) night program.
And as always, 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.
There was a pair of $13,500 Open Handicap races highlighting the Saturday (September 28) night card at Batavia Downs and the winners of each put in stout efforts in victory on a rain-soaked night in Genesee County.
The Open pace was up first and won by Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.), who was challenged at every step of the mile.
Villiam took the lead off the gate and crossed-over to the pylons in the first turn. But before he could get to the quarter, Melanion N (Drew Monti) had worked his way up from seventh and was pacing alongside the leader. Melanion N took the lead at three-eighths, but Villiam didn’t allow him enough room to clear so the parked pacer was forced to remain in the breeze. Villiam and Melanion N matched strides to the half in :55.4 and continued to battle onto the second circuit.
As they passed five-eighths, Mirragon N (Shawn McDonough) had moved into contention from the back of the pack and tipped three-wide around Melanion N at three-quarters. As Melanion N started to fade, Mirragon N took the lead from Villiam, but once again Villiam refused to let the horse clear. The pair paced step for step around the last turn until Villiam pulled ahead by a length at the top of the stretch and maintained that advantage to the wire where he won in 1:53.1, which was a new easonal mark.
Villiam ($5.40) got his fifth win of the year for his owner Anthony Evgenikos and trainer Maggie Chindano.
Chindano finished the night with a total of three driving wins.
Three races later, the Open trot was won by the only mare in the field of eight, Power And Grace (Drew Monti), who led at every step of the way to turn away all her male rivals.
Power And Grace left from post seven, grabbed the front and proceeded to dictate the rest of the race. After going comfortable quarters of :29.1, :58.4 and 1:28 without any serious challenge from behind, Power And Grace entered the home stretch and simply pulled away from the field by 2-½ lengths in 1:57.4.
It was the 11th win of the year -- and 67th lifetime -- for Power And Grace ($4.20) who is owned by Hartel Maintenance, Lorner McClure, Brett MacDonald and Reg Higgs. Ronald MacDonald was the winning trainer.
Kevin Cummings was top dog in the bike on Saturday, scoring a grand slam at the lines. Cummings won with Dry Ridge Ace (1:57, $3.10), Dogfight (1:56.1, $17.00), Bet Eightthirtyone (1:57.1, $7.80) and Parmesan N (1:57.1, $3.00).
Ryan Hall was the top conditioner, sending two winners postward.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (October 2) with post time at 6:00 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.
In a press conference in Buffalo at 5 p.m., Mayor Byron Brown confirmed that he is stepping down as mayor in order to become the president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting.
The announcement comes less than a week after the OTB board unanimously approved a contract offer for Brown that will pay him an annual salary of $295,000.
Brown will replace Henry Wojtaszek, who has overseen record revenue growth and profits for the 17 municipalities that own the OTB in recent years. His final day with the OTB is Dec. 31.
Brown said he will retire in the coming weeks without a specific date. His start date at Batavia Downs has not been announced. Board President Dennis Bassett said on Thursday that he expects Brown to start before the end of the year so he can learn about his new role from Wojtaszek.
Bassett praised Brown as the most qualified candidate from a pool of applicants from throughout the United States and from overseas.
"We think that we have done a thorough job to get where we are today," Bassett said on Thursday. "The success we had and what we need for tomorrow to continue our success. And I cannot say it enough that we are extremely fortunate to get an individual like Mayor Byron Brown to lead this organization after the job Henry Wojtaszek has done. I think we've just been extremely fortunate. And we look to continue to grow. We look to continue to venture into things that we have not ventured into before."
The 65-year-old Brown became Buffalo's mayor in 2006. He served in the state Senate from 2001 to 2005. He was a member of the Buffalo Common Council from 1996 to 2001. He has a dual bachelor of arts degree in political science and journalism from Buffalo State College. He worked in sales for a year at Bristol-Myers before starting a legislative staff career.
Wojtaszek's most recent annual salary is $299,000.
One of the primary expectations for Brown as he steps into the new leadership role is to open doors in Albany so that Batavia Downs can grow its business. Bassett has expressed interest in sports betting, online betting, and table games, all potential revenue sources that the state has denied Batavia Downs so far.
"Brown expressed to us that he's taken over a position now that he's managing a corporate entity, and he's looking to make sure that we run this organization in a corporate way and not in a political way," Bassett said.
At Monday's press conference, Brown did not discuss any aspects of his new job or what he hopes to accomplish. He expressed his pride in Buffalo, the job that leadership has done together, especially during recent tough events, and expressed optimism about the city's future.
The marquee event at Batavia Downs on Friday (September 27) night was a $10,000 conditioned claiming trot where Curry Hanover (Shawn McDonough) turned in one spicy performance to dominate his seven rivals.
Curry Hanover moved right to the lead from post one and then would not relinquish it for the duration. With Cartier Zette (Joe Chindano Jr.) trying to keep up in second, Curry Hanover trotted moderate quarters of :29.2, :59.1 and 1:28.2 before coming off the turn last and bolting for home by 5-½ lengths in a season’s best, 1:58.
It was the sixth win of the year for Curry Hanover ($3.60) who is owned by Franklin Meier and trained by Angelo Nappo.
Jim McNeight Jr. put on quite a show in the bike on Friday by winning four races on the card, including a natural hat trick in races two, three and four. McNeight won with Smart N Sassy (1:56.3, $10.60), Batting Stats (1:58.3, $11.40), Catch The Wave (1:58.3, $3.80) and Makes Me Charlie (1:57.3, $3.70).
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (September 28) with post time 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.
Dining and dancing highlighted Thursday evening's celebration of the Genesee County Office for the Aging at Batavia Downs.
The agency was celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Founded on June 1, 1974, the agency's mission is to promote the independence of seniors and improve their quality of life by offering services and providing information, support, and advocacy for those 60 and older.
Currently, the office employs 33 people and receives support from numerous volunteers.
The primary funding for the agency is a federal program authorized by the Older Americans Act.
Photos by Howard Owens
Center Attraction was in perfect position to run down her competition in a thrilling stretch drive in the featured $13,500 Distaff Open at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (September 25) night.
Center Attraction (Jim McNeight Jr.) got away second from post one behind Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) who set the pace in :28, :57.1 and 1:25.2. It was at that last station where Marathon Mary (Drew Monti) pulled from third and advanced towards the leader. The top three mares broke away from the field and when they entered the stretch, Center Attraction slipped into the passing lane while Marathon Mary continued to pressure Won Surreal Deal on the outside. The three sidewheelers paced three abreast all the way to the line where Center Attraction edged ahead by a half length and won in 1:54.3.
It was the fourth win of the year for Center Attraction ($7.50) who is owned by her trainer Robert Anderson, in partnership with Pamela Schieber.
Dave McNeight III and Drew Monti both had driving hat tricks while Chris Petrelli was the top trainer with two wins on the card.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (September 27) with post time 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 Western Regional OTB Board of Directors on Thursday morning, by unanimous vote, approved a contract offer to Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to become the next CEO and president of the OTB.
Brown will receive a salary of $295,000 in the first year, with the possibility of incentive bonuses. The contract will have an annual renewal clause, said Board President Dennis Bassett.
Bassett declined to release copies of the 18-page contract to the press until Brown signs it.
Brown is expected to announce his future plans next week, a spokesman for the mayor's office said.
"We have a unique situation here at Batavia Downs where we have harness racings, we have a casino, we have gaming, we have a number of different avenues in which we endeavor to make sure that we do well," Bassett said when asked to defend the size of the salary. "I'm not so sure that other areas that are in this business have as diverse and as complex an operation as we do here in Batavia Downs, so we think that for what we are asking our new president and CEO to do, that he is being paid comparable."
Henry Wojtaszek, the outgoing CEO and president, makes $264,898.
The 65-year-old Brown became Buffalo's mayor in 2006. He served in the state Senate from 2001 to 2005. He was a member of the Buffalo Common Council from 1996 to 2001. He has a dual bachelor of arts degree in political science and journalism from Buffalo State College. He worked in sales for a year at Bristol-Myers before starting a legislative staff career.
After Thursday's meeting, Bassett reiterated previous statements that Brown was hired primarily because of his extensive legislative background and productive relationship with key powerbrokers in Albany.
"We hope that Mayor Brown's influence and his knowledge of the individuals who work in that environment will help us open doors that we haven't been able to open before," Bassett said.
The OTB is interested into expanding operations into other ventures, such as sports betting and online betting. Bassett has expressed concern that Wojtaszek, a Republican disliked, it seems, by at least some key Democrats, wouldn't be effective in lobbying on behalf of the OTB on those issues.
"The thing that is important for all thriving institutions is change," Bassett said. "Change is good, and change is inevitable, and the most important thing around change is how you manage to change, how you deal with the change. We think that we have done a thorough job to get where we are today, the success we had and what we need for tomorrow to continue our success. And I cannot say it enough that we are extremely fortunate to get an individual like Mayor Byron Brown to lead this organization after the job Henry Wojtaszek has done. I think we've just been extremely fortunate. And we look to continue to grow. We look to continue to venture into things that we have not ventured into before."
Batavia Downs is on pace for its third consecutive year of record revenue and record payouts to the 17 municipalities that are OTB's owners.
As for potential bonuses for Brown, Bassett indicated that the pending contract does not include specific language. The board will develop incentive criteria and the nature of the incentives.
Before Brown can sign the contract, the state's gaming commission must issue him a license to run a gaming operation. Wojtaszek's last day with the organization will be Dec. 31. Bassett said he expects Brown to be able to start his new job before then and enter into a period of training by Wojtaszek.
When the board agreed over the summer to buy out Wojtaszek's contract, they also voted to buy out the contracts of CFO Jackie Leach and VP of Operations William White.
Bassett said Brown, who has spent nearly all of his professional career as a public servant, is ready to step in and run Batavia Downs like a business. To that end, he expects whoever Brown hires to fill those vacancies to be based on business qualifications and not political affiliation.
"Brown expressed to us that he's taken over a position now that he's managing a corporate entity, and he's looking to make sure that we run this organization in a corporate way and not in a political way," Bassett said. "And that's a big 'a-ha,' because I've been on this board 14 years, and I can honestly say, as much as you (the press) may not believe me, the decisions that we've made in this room have never been political," Bassett said.
Bassett noted that for the majority of his tenure on the board, he's been a member of the minority party and only after voting rules were changed did he join the majority (weighted vote based on population). Bassett is a Democrat. Until the change in weighted voting, the large majority of the board were the Republican-run municipalities.
"I have never felt slighted. I have never felt disadvantaged. You know why? Because on this board, we make business decisions," Bassett said. "We make business decisions for 17 municipalities because they're interested in whether we are going to write them checks at the end of each month, and we continue to write them record-breaking checks each and every month, and that's what I'm most proud of."
Press Release:
Tailgating, in the context of sporting events, is defined as fans gathering in the stadium parking lot to build excitement for their team's home game. From the backs of their cars and trucks, football fans enjoy food, drinks, and games for hours. It's a tradition unique to American culture and offers a fun, lively experience.
HomeCare & Hospice (HCH) of Batavia is introducing a new event to their Fall lineup – Tailgate Thursday to be held Thursday, November 7 at Batavia Downs beginning at 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
This tailgate event is where you will eat, drink, and play games – basically a tailgate before the football game that night (exchange out the Raven’s M&T Bank Stadium for the Park Place Event Center at Batavia Downs)!
HCH operates with offices in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Genesee, and Wyoming Counties.
"Our staff was tasked with organizing a 'fun' and 'fund' raising event in our northern service area. This time of year, everyone in Western New York is a Bills fan, and we all love chicken wings. What better combination than football, wings, and fun?" stated Melissa Sullivan, HCH Chief Executive Officer.
Tickets are $35 which includes your tailgate pass, wings, additional tailgate foods, and entry into fun and games. The food staff at the Batavia Downs will be (tentatively) serving up wings in these flavors: mild, medium, BBQ, garlic parm, honey garlic, spicy BBQ, Old bay, Original Buffalo, Teriyaki, and lemon pepper. Of course, there will be celery, carrots and bleu cheese – but the menu also includes Buffalo’s Finest Station of house-made potato chips, pizza logs, mini beef on weck, and pretzel bites. Attendees will have 10 wing tix which they can sample/taste from the variety of wings that will be on hand.
“Support from the corporate and business sector plays a vital role in the success of our event. Their involvement helps raise awareness, attract attendees, and spread the message about our cause to a wider audience. With their support, we can reach more people, enhance community engagement, and increase the impact of our fundraising efforts,” added Ms. Sullivan.
The event needs additional local businesses and organizations to become a 12th man sponsor or a blitz backer to put on this FANtastic event. 12th Man OPTION: This option ($250) includes your company logo/name on our poster, social media posts indicating your participation, event signage, and two tickets to the event (value $80). BLITZ Backer OPTION: This option ($500) includes your company name mentioned in radio ads, company logo/name on poster, social media posts, event signage, and four event tickets (value $160).
The complete roster of events is not firmed up yet, but hoping to add music, trivia contests, football toss games, (pre-recorded) football games streamed on tvs, and pre-game of the Bengals – Ravens game.
Tickets will go on sale September 27 online at homecare-hospice.org/events/, at the HomeCare & Hospice office, 29 Liberty St., Suite 6, Batavia or by emailing snegron@homecare-hospice.org. For more information, please call 716-372-2106.
Saturday (September 21) night at Batavia Downs featured $13,500 Open Handicaps for both the pace and trot and this week, upset winners prevailed in each contest.
The pacers went first and Lip Reader A (Drew Monti) got his third win at Batavia this meet.
Lip Reader A got away sixth while Admiral Hanover (Kyle Swift) led to the quarter in :27.4, where Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.) then blasted by him to take control. As Villiam crossed-over at the top of the turn, Monti was pulling Lip Reader A off the pegs and pushing him through the breeze as the long march to the front began. When Villiam reached the half in :57, Lip Reader A drew alongside his flank and before reaching three-quarters, the pair was locked in a duel. Villiam and Lip Reader A pulled away from the field by three lengths in the final bend and both drivers were highly animated in the urging of their mounts. Villiam and Lip Reader A paced stride for stride all the way down the lane until Lip Reader A got the advantage by a quarter length and won in 1:53.4.
It was the ninth win of the year for Lip Reader A ($11.60) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing Maria Rice trains the winner.
Lip Reader A was one of four winners for Monti on Saturday. He also won with P L Quarantine (1:54.1, $12.40), Heir Of Southwest (1:57.2, $8.10) and Leave And Roll (1:56.1, $19.60).
The trot was the very next race and Biscoe (Jim McNieght Jr.) got his second win in a row while being overlooked by the betting public, despite winning the Open last week.
Biscoe got off to a slow start and was 10 lengths behind the frontrunning Treasured Tee (Joe Chindano Jr.) at the :27.4 quarter. Then as the leader passed the half, Biscoe started moving up on the outside. Treasure Tee looked strong on the point rolling through the backstretch and Biscoe appeared to stall at that same time. But as the race neared three-quarters, Biscoe got it in gear and was trotting up a storm as they headed into the last turn. Treasure Tee was able to hold Biscoe at bay until they reached the top of the stretch, where Biscoe simply trotted away from the field by 3-½ lengths and won in 1:57.
Biscoe ($28.20) got his seventh win of the year for his driver McNeight, who also owns the horse. Jim McNeight does the training.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (September 25) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,290 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.
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.
Double Class has been an Open trotter at Batavia Downs since his first win there in 1:55.3 in July. On Friday (September 20) at The Downs, the trotter essentially made a double class drop to a mid-level condition event and got back to his winning ways in the $10,000 co-featured race of the night.
Sent off at 7-1, Double Class (Dave McNeight III) got away last and 10-½ lengths in arrears as the heavily favored Cartier Zette (Joe Chindano Jr.) coasted through fractions of :28.3 and :58. As they motored in front of the stands, McNeight had Double Class out and moving and quickly advanced towards the leader. Double Class drew alongside Cartier Zette at three-quarters and then they matched strides around the final bend. At the top of the stretch, Double Class showed his, as he swelled up and bolted home under a line drive on top by 1-½ lengths in 1:57.2.
It was the seventh win of the year for Double Class ($16.20) who is owned and trained by Jim Clouser Jr.
In the other $10,000 split of the same class, Bj’s Smitty (Mike Baumeister) sat second behind Simonthediamond (Dan Yetman) through quarters of :29.1, :59.1 and 1:28.4 before sneaking into the passing lane and snapping the leader by a neck at the light in 1:59.3.
Bj’s Smitty ($18.80) is owned by Jennifer Signor and trained by Jacob Baumeister.
Kevin Cummings had a big night in the bike, winning a total of four races during the proceedings. Cummings won with Rearview Blue Chip (1:58.3, $4.60), P L Notorious (1:57.1, $22.40), Mcdelicacy (1:57.1, $6.40) and Pennant Seelster (2:00.2, $5.20).
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (September 21) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $920 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
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.
A patient drive by Kyle Swift helped Dance Ticket register her sixth win of the year in Batavia Downs' $13,500 fillies and mares Open pacing feature on Wednesday (September 18) night.
Forgot Thewallet A (Dave McNeight III) blasted off the gate from post seven and took a lead that would last to the :56.2 half. It was there that Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) charged the frontrunner, followed by Marathon Mary (Drew Monti) and Dance Ticket, as Forgot Thewallet A had no answers for the takeover.
With new leadership in place for the second time around, Won Surreal Deal paced sharply to three-quarters where Marathon Mary tipped to take her shot in the last turn. That left Dance Ticket right behind Won Surreal Deal and that mattered at the top of the lane. Marathon Mary got to the front and looked to be a clear winner, but Dance Ticket dove into the passing lane and flew to the line first by a neck to win in 1:54.2. The time was a new lifetime mark for the mare.
Dance Ticket ($10.20) is owned by 716 Standardbreds and trained by Courtney Wright.
In the $10,000 mid-level conditioned event for female pacers, Imprincessgemma A (Drew Monti) set fractions of :28.2, :59.2 and 1:27.4 before turning for home and hanging on by three-quarters of a length in a 1:57 win.
Elite harness Racing owns Imprincessgemma ($4.20) who is trained by Rachelle Mungillo.
Drew Monti and Joe Chindano Jr. both ended the night with three wins while trainers Rachelle Mungillo and Sam Smith had two wins apiece.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (September 20) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $636 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
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:
Officials at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel are asking for entrants into their Annual Dachshund Races, scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 13.
Up to 80 dachshunds will be racing for the crown of fastest wiener dog in Western New York. Each “heat” winner will receive free play and the top 3 finishers in the championship race will receive free play, food vouchers and a free hotel stay.
Family related activities will also take place including; on site entertainers including face painting, balloon artists and magicians as well as a kettle corn stand, pumpkin decorating, carriage rides, pony rides. Those events will take place from Noon to 2 p.m.
The wiener dog races will commence at 2 p.m. With the Buffalo Football team not playing until Monday Night, patrons won’t have to worry about missing their favorite football team play on Sunday.
If you have a pure-bred dachshund and would like to enter your dog to participate, please call or email Arna Tygart at 585-343-3750 ex 6437 or email at atygart@bataviagaming.com.
Admission and Parking is free.
“Our Annual Family Fun Day and Wiener Dog Races are a staple of the fall here at Batavia Downs,” said President and CEO, Henry Wojtaszek. “We look forward to welcoming families and the community back to our facility for all the activities we have planned.”
Back-to-back $13,500 Handicap Opens for both gaits topped the bill at Batavia Downs on Saturday (September 14) night and fast miles were produced in each by pylon position participants.
In the trot, Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) was a dominant winner after leading at every station in unfettered fashion.
The seven-horse field was scratched down to a five horse start that saw Treasured Tee (Joe Chindano Jr.) leave and cross-over before entering the turn while Biscoe seated from post one. But shortly after passing the eighth pole, McNeight pulled Biscoe and rolled to the front before the quarter. Biscoe then cut the breeze with fractions of :28.3, :58.2 and 1:27.4 with Treasured Tee trying to stay close. When the race came out of the last turn and entered the top of the stretch, Biscoe swelled up and bolted home on top by 5-¼ lengths in 1:57.2, matching his fastest previous win at The Downs this year.
It was the sixth win of the year for Biscoe ($3.90) who is owned by his driver, McNeight Jr. Jim McNeight trains the winner.
Then in the pace, Tiger Baron (Dave McNeight III) also left from the invisible rail and set a tepid pace of :58 to the half. That prompted a lot of action from behind as a multi-horse outer-flow rolled into contention led by Better Take It (Kevin Cummings). As the race headed up the backstretch Tiger Baron picked up the pace, Better Take It stalled in the race, and Mirragon A (Shawn McDonough) moved three-wide in haste, drawing alongside Tiger Baron at three-quarters in 1:26. Mirragon A took the lead in the last turn and held it until the top of the stretch. That’s where Tiger Baron took back control under a highly animated drive by McNeight, and forged ahead by a half length to win in 1:53.3, tying his seasonal mark.
Tiger Baron ($9.10) got his seventh win of the year for owner Courtney McNeight. Dave McNeight Jr. trains the winner.
It was one of three wins for McNeight III on the card.
Drew Monti was the leading driver on Saturday, scoring a grand slam in the bike. Monti won with RD Skippy (1:55, $3.90), Lana’s Desire (1:54, $2.60), Duck Dynasty (1:54.3, $22.60) and Admiral Hanover (1:54.3, $4.60). Monti also had a second and two thirds from his 11 drives.
The Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta was hit in the last race. The single unique winning combination of 2-9-4-6-7 returned $3,832.60 for the 20-cent wager.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (September 18) with post time 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.
Johnny Boy led at every station en route to victory in the $10,000 featured trot at Batavia Downs on Friday (September 13) night.
Kevin Cummings sent Johnny Boy to the front from post one while Four Wheelin (Drew Monti) dropped in second for the ride. Johnny Boy stepped off quarters of :28.2, :59.3 and 1:29.1 with Four Wheelin in tow and the rest of the field trying to stay close. As they came out of the last turn and headed for home, Four Wheelin was out and rolling, trying to make up ground on the leader. And although he cut the margin substantially, Four Wheelin came up a head short as Johnny Boy closed it out on top in 1:58.2.
It was the third win of the year for Johnny Boy ($8.80) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.
Driver Shawn McDonough made longshot bettors very happy on Friday after he won with Sapphire Love Chip who paid $50.50 and Chief Corleone who returned $57.00.
Joining McDonough for driving doubles were Joe Chindano Jr., Drew Monti and Dan Yetman while 13 different trainers each scored one win apiece.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (September 14) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a $2,375 carryover and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
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.
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