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Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs post time today -- Wednesday, Aug. 2 -- is 5 p.m., also Breast Cancer Coalition auction

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

When Batavia Downs opened last week Wednesday (July 26) post time was at 6 p.m. That post time was only for opening day. Starting this week (Aug. 2) post time switches to 5 p.m. today, Aug. 2, and will stay 5 p.m. on Wednesdays for the remainder of the year.

The current live schedule for the meet is Sunday afternoon at 1:15 p.m., Wednesday at 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. Monday will replace Sunday in September and go at 5 p.m.

Please log onto www.bataviadownsgaming.com and click the “Live Racing” tab for complete paddock and Lasix schedules for each day. 

Also on Wednesday this week, Batavia Downs will conduct its annual Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester fundraiser. The auction runs from 5 p.m. until the last race in the Paddock room.

Some of the silent auction items up for bids include two suite tickets to the Bills-Raiders game on Sunday (Oct. 29), four suite tickets to the Sabres-Capitals game on Tuesday (Nov. 7), a Batavia Downs Hotel racing package, a recliner courtesy of Max Pies Furniture of Batavia, and other Sabres and Bills merchandise.

In A Single Bound, Chip Walther, Funknwaffles win NYSS at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

In A Single Bound with driver Billy Dobson.

 By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Perfect summer weather and a lighting-fast track greeted the glamour division of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) on Sunday afternoon (July 30) as the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers invaded Batavia Downs to compete for $119,000 in purses.

In the first $39,900 division, In A Single Bound was peerless as he pulled away to an easy victory.

In A Single Bound (Billy Dobson) yielded the lead to Ideal Wheel (Jim Morrill Jr.) for about an eighth of a mile before retaking command at the quarter, and from there the race was effectively over. In A Single Bound paced strong on the lead that he would increase as the race progressed.

When they hit the three-quarters in 1:24.1, Dobson gave his charge a tap to let him know the race wasn’t officially over and In A Single Bound responded like Superman, opening up ten around the last turn before flying home to a six-length advantage in 1:52.3.

“He raced well, he went pretty good. He kind of pulled up on the backside when he was by himself but he took back off when I asked him so that’s good. He’s eligible to the Empire Breeders Classic and it’ll be nice to see what he can do against those kind of horses” said Billy Dobson.

It was the seventh win of the year for In A Single Bound ($2.40) and fourth in NYSS action. The 3-year-old gelded son of Roll With Joe out of Armbro Bianca is owned by Dennis and Simone Noud and is trained by Monica Krist.

Chip Walther with driver Marcus Miller.

In the second $39,200 split, Chip Walther held off a late challenge to win his second of the year.

Chip Walther (Marcus Miller) left and dropped in the two-hole behind Octane Blue Chip (Corey Callahan) but then changed his mind and decided to take the lead. Having accomplished that by the quarter, Miller then led the field to the half in :56.3.

As they motored up the backside Serious Major (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled first-over and paced up alongside the leader and put his head in front as they hit the last turn. But Chip Walther turned away that challenge before digging in down the lane to hold off all comers and win by a length in 1:53.1.  

“He went good, that was a good mile. He’s a little lazy; he didn’t used to be like that last year but I think that’s okay because when you do ask him to go, he does go on,” said Marcus Miller.

It was the second straight win of the year for Chip Walther ($4.50), both of which were in NYSS action. The 3-year-old son of Art Major out of Bittorsweet Terror is owned by the Ervin Miller Stable, Paymaq Racing, the Nick Surick Stable LLC and Louis Willinger and is trained by Erv Miller.

 Funknwaffles with driver Corey Callahan.

In the final $39,900 division, Funknwaffles showed his dominance with an open-length victory.

Funknwaffles (Corey Callahan) dropped in fourth off the gate and was soon third after avoiding a breaking America’s Fleet (Kevin Cummings), who then regained pace and hung outside the favorite. Not wanting anymore road trouble, Callahan quickly pulled Funknwaffles and put him on the lead by the three-eighths, where he would then proceed to destroy the field.

Callahan kept Funknwaffles in tight rein for the next quarter, stringing out horses behind him. When they hit the five-eighths, he shook the lines once and the party was over.  Funknwaffles opened up an immediate three-length lead and really started to pace. Under a line drive with Callahan sitting in the easy chair, Funknwaffles rounded the final turn and paced away to a seven-length lead down the lane, crossing the wire wrapped-up like a birthday present in 1:53.2.

“He’s such a good little horse, he’s like a little sports car. He’s real handy; you can do whatever you want. I think he’s better chasing horses but I didn’t want to take a chance of getting pinned in there so I moved him to the lead and he did everything from there” said Corey Callahan.

It was the fourth win of the year for Funknwaffles ($2.50), all four of which were in NYSS races. The 3-year-old gelded son of American Ideal out of Hatsoff Hanover is owned by Crawford Farms Racing and trained by John Butenschoen.

Funknwaffles stars in NYSS action at Batavia Downs on Sunday

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

New York Sire Stake (NYSS) 2-year-old champion Funknwaffles is back in the state to defend his title in 2017 looking better than ever and he will lead a fine group of 3-year-old male pacers into Batavia Downs on Sunday afternoon (July 30) to battle over a total of $118,300 in purses.

Funknwaffles (American Ideal-Hatsoff Hanover) won eight out of nine starts last year, earning $257,284 in purses. He capped off his Empire State run by winning the $225,000 NYSS final at Yonkers Raceway, setting a new track record of 1:52.3 for age, sex and gait.

This year he has started out on fire, winning all three NYSS events he’s entered as well as racing in Grand Circuit events including the $500,000 Max C. Hempt Memorial at Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs where he finished second to Fear The Dragon in 1:49.3.

This year Funknwaffles has already earned $222,699 on the strength of his seven starts and just registered a new lifetime mark of 1:50.4 at Saratoga Raceway last week, which was also a new track record for 3-year-old male pacers.

Trainer John Butenschoen has named “The Captain” Corey Callahan to drive once again and the heavy 3-5 morning line favorite will start from post six in race four which goes for $39,900.

(Corey Callahan)

There will be some stiff competition for the favorite in this race from Geez Joe (Roll With Joe-Beach Bretta) as he comes into the contest a picture of consistency. After being lightly raced at two, the time he was given to develop has definitely paid off for his connections this year.

Geez Joe has won four of his last six starts, finishing second in the other two. He took a lifetime mark of 1:51.2 at Vernon Downs in an Excelsior A contest on June 18 and just missed tying it at Saratoga Raceway last week in the same division going 1:51.3. He has amassed $57,050 in winnings this year on the strength of 11 outings and steps up to the NYSS from the Excelsior A for this event. Marcus Miller will once again be in the bike behind Geez Joe for his father, Erv Miller.

Being overlooked at 6-1 from post five is Talent Soup (American Ideal-Tessa Hanover). He has two fast-timed seconds in NYSS action this year, but it’s the races around those you must pay attention to. Talent Soup has faced the best 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings in North America in the Rooney at Yonkers Raceway and the Hempt at Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs. Unfortunately he drew bad posts in both and was chasing 1:49.2 and 1:47.4 miles. He was raced timed in 1:50.1 and 1:49.1 in those events and those are big time performances, period. He just finished second in 1:51.4 in the NYSS at Saratoga and he is ripe for an upset for driver Billy Dobson and trainer Bruce Saunders. 

In the first $39,200 division, In A Single Bound (Roll With Joe-Armbro Bianca) has been racing like Superman this year having already won six out of nine starts and being a perfect four for four in NYSS action and that has inflated his bankroll to $90,588.

Last week, In A Single Bound cut the mile that eventually led to the track record set by Funknwaffles. And although he finished third in the race, In A Bound had nothing to be ashamed of as he did all the heavy lifting and was still only beaten by two lengths.

Monica Krist trains In a Single Bound and has assigned his regular driver Billy Dobson to run the show again this week and they have drawn post one and are listed at 2-1.

Also in the race is Pointomygranson (American Ideal-Sangaal) who although is winless this year, set the track record of 1:53.2 for 2-year-old geldings at Batavia Downs last year in NYSS action. He knows this track well and is in a perfect position to play spoiler for his trainer Chris Ryder and driver Brett Miller.

(Brett Miller)

And the final $39,200 split looks to be a pretty evenly matched affair with a slight nod going to Serious Major and Chip Walther.

Serious Major (Art Major-Seriously) took a 1:50.3 mark at Hoosier in an overnight event before starting in NYSS action this year. There he scored a first and second in two consecutive starts before entering the Ron Burke stable on July 1. Since then Lasix was added before a front end try that fell short in his last outing. This horse has ability and back class and will get support at the windows. Jim Morrill Jr. picks up the lines for Ron Burke and will leave post two at 9-5.

Chip Walther (Art Major-Bittersweet Terror) was qualified twice after a break in his first NYSS attempt at Buffalo and he’s come back from that schooling in good order. He has since finished second in an Excelsior A race at Yonkers and he won last week in a NYSS event at Saratoga in 1:53.1. This horse took a mark of 1:50.3 and made $126,655 last year and he now looks to be on a path to have similar success.

The Marcus and Erv Miller team will start Chip Walther from post five at 2-1. (Inset photo on right is Marcus Miller.)

There are also two $15,000 divisions of the Excelsior A series on the card in race one and seven.

Post time for the first race is 1:15 p.m. 

(Photos courtesy of the USTA)

State Police history on display where it started, Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

The first troopers to deploy in Western New York was in Batavia's Exhibition Park in September 1917, so Al Kurek thinks it's appropriate that displays celebrating the 100th anniversary of the New York State Police be held at the same location, now known as Batavia Downs.

"I started collecting historical memorabilia after I retired in 1990 and I've been doing it every day since then," said Kurek, who lives in East Pembroke. "This is our 100th anniversary and we have an active retired trooper organization in Batavia.  We meet monthly and we decided to put this together as our last hurrah before we hit, oh, I don't know what you want to call it, but, you know, we're all in our 70s and pushing 80s."

There are vintage patrol cars, motor cycles and uniforms on display, as well as the accouterments of the trade, from billy clubs, pistols and handcuffs to crime scene cameras and forensic tools. There are also historical documents, including photos and info on every trooper to work in Troop A.

"We've got videos and memorabilia from the 66 and 77 snow storms, Kurek said. "We have a little bit on the Attica riot. We have the 3407 plane crash in Clarence, the 1980 Olympics, which everybody kind of likes. We've got a canine that will be here today and tomorrow -- nothing on Saturday -- but we have a German Shepherd here on Sunday."

The exhibition is open today, tomorrow and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. each day.

Kurek also invited troopers and their families to bring in any items related to the history of Troop A.  

Drivers racing for bigger purses at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia Downs opened its 71st season Wednesday night with a big crowd and record purses for drivers.

Todd Haight, director of living racing, said the Downs has been able to boost the purses because increased revenue from the gaming floor and the concert series this summer helped bring more people to Batavia Downs, and also generated revenue that could add to the purse pool.

The bigger purses mean more big name drivers. This season, Ake Svanstedt, from Sweden, and Jason Bartlett joined the field.

The track also moved up start times this season. Haight said the new start time is closer to the final race time for the thoroughbreds at other tracks, so OTB betters around the state are more likely to stick around for harness racing. That means bigger prize pools for wagers, Haight said.

This is also the first full season the Batavia Downs Hotel has been open, and on opening night for the race season, all the rooms were booked, Haight said.

He also highlighted the food service at the gaming facility and the special promotions that will be taking place throughout the year.

“We really think it’s going to be another good year,” Haight said.

Ake Svanstedt won the fourth race driving Natalie Hanover.

Batavia Downs 2017 live meet kicks off on Wednesday

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The 71st season of live harness racing at America’s oldest lighted track opens on Wednesday (July 26) and runs through Saturday (Dec. 16). This year’s schedule features 71 race dates including seven matinee cards.

The live schedule this year has new post times. Racing will be presented on Sunday afternoons at 1:15 p.m., opening Wednesday at 6 p.m. (then switches to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays for the remainder of the meet) and Friday and Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. to begin the season. Monday will replace Sunday in September and go at 5 p.m.

The finest standardbreds in the Empire State will be on hand as the New York Sire Stakes will be making eight stops at the Downs this year, each worth an estimated $100,000 for the contestants. Mark your calendars for Wednesday (July 26), Sunday (July 30), Sunday (Aug. 6), Sunday (Aug. 27), Friday (Sept. 1), Wednesday (Sept. 6), Friday (Sept. 8) and Wednesday (Sept. 13) to see some of the best racing all year.

Once again the local action will be highlighted by the very popular claiming series that the track introduced last year. Mid-level claimers who accumulate points throughout the year will vie for championship final purses of between $15,000 and $20,000 for each respective division in November.

Many familiar faces will be returning to drive this year including last year’s dash title winner Drew Monti, runner-up Jim Morrill Jr., Ray Fisher Jr. and Larry Stalbaum.

Monti accumulated 117 wins at the Downs last year before moving to the Meadowlands to drive when this meet concluded. Morrill was right behind him in second with 112 tallies and Fisher was third with 98. Stalbaum never showed up at the Downs until Saturday (Nov. 5) but made the most of his cameo appearance by winning 32 races in only 18 nights.

This year all four are sporting equally impressive numbers and the competition on the track looks to be fierce from start to finish. To date, Stalbaum has won 206 races, earned $1.08 million and has a UDR of .372, Monti has won 155 races, earned $964,900 and has a UDR of .304, Morrill has won 132 races, earned $1.01 million and has a UDR of .333 and Fisher has won 109 races, earned $705,458 and has a UDR of .319.

“The start of a new meet is always busy and exciting and I am really looking forward to getting the horses back on the track” said Todd Haight, director/GM of Live Racing. “We have some great stake action on tap, a good overnight program in place and a very tough driver colony that competes very hard every race. This is definitely a meet that will offer value for our bettors.” 

For the fans, another lengthy slate of 20 promotions dots the live schedule and offers something for everyone that comes to Batavia Downs all year long.

Starting at 4:30 p.m. on opening night, fans will receive a free racing programs and magnetic racing schedules while supplies last. Programs will be available at the program stands and the magnets can be obtained by swiping your Player’s Club card at member services.

Sunday (July 30) is Old Fashion Day when hot dogs and soft drinks are only 50 cents and draft beer is $1. Items are available from noon to 4 p.m. on the track apron and at the Homestretch Grill. Batavia Downs is the only harness track that still offers concession items at this price during the Old Fashion Day promotion.  

Every Sunday in August is Dollar Sunday. Draft beer, hot dogs and soft drinks will all be $1 from noon until the final race of the afternoon.

On Saturday (Aug. 12) there is a great promotion to highlight the newest addition to the track, The Hotel at Batavia Downs. Starting after the fifth race and for four consecutive races after that, 12 names will be randomly drawn to win a free night’s stay at the beautiful new facility. Any Player’s Club member who swipes their card before 7 p.m. will be automatically entered to win. Patrons do not have to be present to win and can only win once.

There will be a gold rush at the Downs on Saturday (Aug. 19) when five sealed boxes will be given away to randomly drawn contestants. Four will contain a one ounce silver bar but one will contain a one ounce pure gold bar valued at $1,500. The promotion is sponsored by TAG Jewelers of Cheektowaga (www.tagjewelers.com ). Any Player’s Club member who swipes their card before 7 p.m. will be automatically entered to win.

Sunday (Aug. 27) is the very popular Family Fun Day and Wiener Dog races. There is a full slate of free fun for kids of all ages including pony rides sponsored by Castilone Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (www.castilonechryslerdodgejeep.net ), Pringles the Clown, Jason the Juggler, Mr. Scribbles and booths set up on the apron including face painting, sand art and sno-cones.

Then following the live harness racing action, the Wiener dogs hit the track for the “Dachshund Dash” sponsored by Genesee Feeds of Batavia. Up to 10 heats with eight dogs per heat will line up before the championship field is decided. There, the top three dogs will earn their owners Clubhouse buffets and gaming Free Play packages valued up to $200. And all dogs entered will be rewarded with a “doggy bag” full of gifts.

Labor Day (Sept. 4) brings back the annual drivers' bike race and chicken bar-b-que. A tradition since 1975 the drivers' bike race pits eight of the Downs' top reinsmen against each other on a different kind of bike; a 10-speed. The contest is held after the seventh live harness race and the bikes are randomly given away after the race to eight lucky patrons who correctly put their name in the box of the winning driver. Entry slips will be distributed between noon and 2:30 p.m. and must be deposited before the seventh race. Winners must be present to win. 

The bike race is sponsored by Crazy Cheap Cars of Oakfield (www.crazycheapcars.com ) and the chicken bar-b-que is sponsored by the Center Street Smoke House of Batavia (www.centerstreetsmokehouse.com ).

“With the new hotel added to the property last year, many groups have been here for different functions. We have aggressively promoted live racing to them and are looking forward to many new fans attending starting this Wednesday night,” Haight said. “Our concert series has brought in tens of thousands of people this summer, many of which were new to the track. We hope our promotions keep them coming back to watch the races all season long.”

For more information and updates as they happen, log onto the track's website at www.bataviadownsgaming.com and click on “Live Racing.” Follow us on Facebook as well (www.facebook.com/bataviadownsracetrack )!

Troopers to celebrate century of service with four-day event at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

The New York State Troopers will celebrate a century of statewide service July 27-30 with an event to be held daily on those dates from noon to  6 p.m. at Batavia Downs Gaming & Casino. It is located at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.

As always, admission and parking are free.

Here's what you can look forward to at the Downs' event:

  • Largest historical display about the NYSP in Western New York
  • Vintage Motorcycles & Troop Cars
  • Fingerprinting Demonstration
  • Trooper Exam Information
  • Historic Photos & Videos
  • Canine Demonstration

Wiener Dog race announced for Aug. 27

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Do you have a speedy Dachshund? That’s what Batavia Downs officials are wondering as they have announced that registration is opening for the 2017 Genesee Feeds Dachshund (“Wiener Dog”) races that will be held on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 27).  

All entered dogs will receive a doggie bag of gifts courtesy of Genesee Feeds of Batavia. The owners of all heat winners will receive $25 in gaming Free Play and the top three finishers in the championship race will receive Clubhouse buffet certificates and $100, $75 and $50 (first through third) in Free Play for the gaming floor. The winner’s total prize package including the gaming Free Play is valued at $200.

Dachshund owners wishing to participate should call Batavia Downs Wiener Dog race coordinator Arna Tygart at (585) 343-3750, ext. 6437, or Sara Tenney, ext. 6430, and leave a message. Staff will call back to confirm. The races are limited to the first 80 dogs that register.

The Wiener Dog races will begin at approximately 4:15 p.m. and are the final event on the annual Family Fun Day at the Races at America’s oldest lighted harness racetrack. Admission and parking are free.

Batavia Downs donating Lee Greenwood tickets to local veterans groups

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced that they will be donating 800 tickets to the upcoming Lee Greenwood concert to local Veteran Organizations. The concert takes place on Friday, July 21st.

“Lee Greenwood and his song 'God Bless the USA' are synonymous with our great country and we’re honored to have him play here," stated Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel President & CEO, Henry Wojtaszek.

“We work closely with other veteran agencies in the area and wanted to give back to all the local veterans who have fought to defend our freedoms.”

The tickets will be handed to representatives from various local Veterans agencies in a brief ceremony on Monday, July 17th, at 10:30 a.m. in the Batavia Downs Lobby by their Made in America satellite store.

Tickets to the Lee Greenwood show can be purchased at Bataviaconcerts.com or in person at the Made in America store in the Batavia Downs Lobby.

Three opening acts will play beginning at 5 p.m., including country recording artist Ricky Lee, Alyssa Trahan, and the band Gypsy Souls. Doors open at 4 p.m.

"To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan." (Abraham Lincoln)

Lou Gramm packs a crowd outside Batavia Downs

By Steve Ognibene

Rochester native Lou Gramm packed in a large crowd of fans in Western New York at Batavia Downs racetrack last evening. 

On this warm summer night people gathered all around the local area to hear “Lou Gramm the Original Voice of Foreigner” and his band play classic hits like, "Cold as Ice," "Double Vision," "Midnight Blue" and "Juke Box Hero," plus many more from his days with his former band Foreigner.

Fans were singing from their lawn chairs, dancing on the lawn and jamming out those classic revival tunes from many years since the 1970s to now.

This was the fourth outdoor summer concert part of Batavia Downs concert series with two remaining, Marshall Tucker band next Friday, July 14th, and Lee Greenwood on July 21st.

Dennis DeYoung headlines at Batavia Downs

By James Burns

Batavia Downs gambled and beat the weather again for the second concert series featuring Dennis DeYoung. A very good sized crowd was on hand for the concert. There were a lot of people at the concert and the casino but somehow it did not feel crowded. Batavia Downs seems to know how to run a good party. The crowd seemed to love the concert and be having a very good time. 

Dennis DeYong sounded as good tonight as he did when he was topping the charts. The next concert is Eddie Money June 30th. Tickets are only $10.

Photos: Taste of the Track at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

There was a big turnout yesterday for Taste of the Track at Batavia Downs, with several food vendors providing a variety of treats, along with retail vendors and live musical performances, including the Batavia High School Jazz Ensemble.

Stall applications for Batavia Downs 2017 meet are now available

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs

Horsemen wishing to race at Batavia Downs for the upcoming summer/fall meet please note that stall applications are now available for download on the track's website (www.bataviadownsgaming.com). Simply click Live Racing>Horsemen>Stall Application and Agreement. The complete 2017 racing schedule can be found at Live Racing>Live Racing Schedule.

Stall applications are also available at the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association (WNYHHA) website (www.wnyhha.net) or at the WNYHHA office located at Buffalo Raceway.

Race Secretary Joe Zambito has advised that all stall applications must be received by the track no later than Friday (July 7). The backstretch opens for tack on Tuesday (July 18) and horses may begin arriving in the barn area on Thursday (July 20).

The 71st season of live harness racing at America’s oldest lighted harness track features 71 race dates including seven matinee cards. The meet opens on Wednesday (July 26) and runs through Saturday (Dec. 16).

Live racing will be presented on Sunday afternoons at 1:15 p.m., Wednesday evenings at 5:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. to begin the season. Monday will replace Sunday in September and go at 5 p.m.

Once again, the 2017 meet will be highlighted by the very popular claiming series that the track introduced last year. Mid-level claimers accumulate points throughout the year and then vie for championship final purses of between $15,000 and $20,000 in November for each respective division.

All stable inquiries should be directed to Todd Haight, director/GM of Live Racing at 585-343-3750, ext. 6322.

Lonestar headlines first 'Rockin' the Downs'

By James Burns

Batavia Downs was the luckiest place in town today. Against all odds and predictions, the weather was great for tonight’s  opening of a six-concert series “Rockin’ the Downs."

Four acts took the stage in a festival atmosphere in the center of the Batavia Downs track. The track estimated that more than 3,000 were in attendance. Food and beverage vendors lined the viewing area for those who came to see tonight's headliner, Lonestar.  

The band met with Batavia Downs VIP players backstage before the show and signed a guitar that was auctioned off after the concert. The proceeds of the guitar auction raised more than $600 for the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Former Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas, below, elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007, made an appearance at the concert to speak to the crowd. Afterward, he hung around to see Lonestar and take pictures with some of his fans. 

Next up, on Friday, June 23rd, is Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx.

Photos: Festival of Hope at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

Genesee Cancer Assistance held its annual Festival of Hope today at Batavia Downs, which included a crossing-training competition as well as basket raffles, music, a live broadcast by WBTA, and other events.

UPDATED: Batavia Downs announces traffic and shuttle plan for Sunday's Lonestar concert

By Billie Owens

UPDATE 4:09 p.m.: The shuttle times have been changed slightly, see information in bold below. Also everyone will be allowed to bring lawn chairs, both VIP ticket holders and General Admission.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced facility details for all those attending this Sunday’s Lonestar concert being held onsite.

Some area intersections could be under the direction of local law enforcement. If that is the case, please use caution and pay attention to directions given by police. Please allow for extra travel time due to increased traffic volume.

Please note that anyone visiting Batavia Downs after 3 p.m. on Sunday will see parking lot attendants in our main lot directing you on where to park your car. Please follow their directions as the facility attempts to streamline the parking process with the anticipation of increased car volume. The valet will be open as per usual so those who do wish to valet their cars do have that option.

Two shuttles run by Regional Transit Service will be operating from 3 to 8 p.m. 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. and then again from 9 p.m. until midnight 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. to and from all local chain hotels to Batavia Downs. If you are staying or parking at any of these local chain hotels, we ask that you do take the shuttles to help reduce traffic congestion.

Once onsite, there is no tailgating or drinking of alcoholic beverages in the parking lot. This will be enforced by our staff.

Inside the venue, lawn chairs ARE permitted for everyone -- General Admission area only and VIP ticket holders.

Concert will take place rain or shine so ponchos and umbrellas are permitted as well. Please note that no coolers, outside food and beverages, weapons or firearms are permitted onsite or at the venue. All bags and purses will be subject to search.

Doors open at 3 p.m. with the first musical act starting at 4 p.m. If possible, arrive early to avoid traffic. Tickets can be purchased online at BataviaConcerts.com or in person at our Made in America store in the Batavia Downs Lobby.

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