Wiener Dog Races

Photo courtesy of Batavia Downs. Pictured is last year's winning wiener dog, "Piglet," and his owner, Heidi Kaiser.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The "Dog Days of Summer" at Batavia Downs means it's time for the annual Genesee Feeds Wiener Dog Races. That popular event is once again happening this Sunday afternoon (Aug. 28) with post time for the first Dachshund race scheduled for approximately 4:20 p.m. after the completion of the live 11-race live harness racing card.

Last year, Heidi Kaiser’s Dachshund, “Piglet,” made his third Downs appearance and cruised to a comfortable victory defeating nine other fleet-footed Wiener-racers in the championship final.

On Sunday, seven heats will be contested with each heat winner scoring a $25 free play voucher to Batavia Downs Gaming. The heat winners will then return for a championship race where the winning owner getting $100 in free play, second place finisher gets $75 in free play, and the third place finisher receives $50 in free play. The owners of the top three finishers will also get two complementary buffets in the Batavia Downs clubhouse.

All entrants will receive doggie bags for their athletes from the official sponsor of the Wiener Dog Races, Genesee Feeds of Batavia.

The Wiener Dog Races are one of the biggest promotions of the season at Batavia Downs and the main event of "Family Fun Day" at the races.

"Family Fun Day is one of my favorite live racing days,” said Director/General Manager of Live Racing, Todd Haight. “The kids always have a great time. You can bring the whole family out because there is something for everyone and you can eat, drink and enjoy everything going on for the entire afternoon and it costs next to nothing.”

Treat the kids to a fun, affordable day out with $1 Sahlen's hot dogs, soda, and snow cones and free pony rides from 2-4 p.m., sponsored by Castilone Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep of Batavia. There will also be special appearances by Pringles The Clown, Mr. Scribbles, Jason the Juggler and other fun activities for kids of all ages. And everything is presented in a clean, safe environment where they can just enjoy themselves.

Admission and parking are free and live harness racing action begins at 1:15 p.m.

Submitted photo (of some previous contestants and their handlers at the starting line) and press release:

Do you have a speedy Dachshund? That’s what Batavia Downs officials are wondering as they have announced registration opening for the Genesee Feeds 2016 dachshund (wiener) dog races to be held on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 28.

The wiener races that begin approximately 4:15 p.m. are the final event on its annual Family Fun Day at the Races at America’s oldest lighted harness racetrack.

All entered dogs receive a doggie gift bag courtesy of Genesee Feeds. The owners of all heat winners receive gaming free play, and the top three in the championship race, receive Clubhouse buffet certificates and free play for the gaming floor.

The winner’s total prize package including the gaming free play is valued at $200.

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

Press release from Batavia Downs

The third time racing in the annual Batavia Downs Wiener Dog races sponsored by Genesee Feeds was the charm for Heidi Kaiser’s dachshund “Piglet." He cruised to a comfortable victory defeating nine other fleet-footed wiener dogs in the champion final.

Ten elimination heats were conducted to determine the final field.

Sarah Farley’s “Ruby” rallied on the far outside to out finish Adrienne Pender’s “Pablo” for second. "Pablo” was the most impressive heat winner and appeared to be the dachshund to beat.

The owners of top three finishers all received gaming free and Clubhouse buffets. All participants received a doggy bag from Genesee Feeds. 

The beautiful day included a first time ever visit by harness ambassador Sydney Weaver. The 15-year-old, known to everyone in North American harness racing, and her parents Lisa and Don Weaver were special guests of Batavia Downs.

Attendance for the dog races, the final piece of Fun Family Day was estimated at 3,200.

Photos by Howard Owens.

In the fourth race, the wiener dog "Wienie," owned by Debbie Odrobina and who relied on a wheeled cart for its hindquarters, was attacked by another competitor. The dogs were separated and put back in the race, but the other dog turned on "Wienie" again. "Wienie" was allowed to run again in a subsequent race, and was a clear crowd favorite, but he got a slow start the second time around and ambled up the track.

Press release:

Representatives from Batavia Downs announced today that there's a dearth of dachshunds to race in Sunday’s Family Fun Day Wiener Dog Race.

Each year 80 wiener dogs vie for glory after live racing is completed on Family Fun Day. Pony rides, face painting, sand art and other family activities take place from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23^rd with Wiener Dog Races beginning a little after 4 o'clock.

“With Family Fun Day being a little earlier than last year we’re hoping that last year’s racers and anyone new hoping to get in this year didn’t forget about it,“ said Ryan Hasenauer, director of Marketing at Batavia Downs.

“All entered dogs receive a Doggie Gift Bag courtesy of Genesee Feeds and the owners of all race winners, and the top three in the final race, receive free play for the gaming floor.

Dachshund owners wishing to participate should call Batavia Downs’ Wiener Dog Headquarters at 585-343-3750, ext. 437, and leave a message. Staff will call back to confirm.

Owned and operated by 15 Western New York counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, Western Regional OTB is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia, NY. WROTB owns and operates 28 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility.

Press release:

Registration begins today (July 22) for one of the most popular promotions of the season at Batavia Downs Gaming -- the annual dachshund or “wiener dog” races, which will be held on Sunday, Aug. 23.

Sponsored by Genesee Feeds of Batavia, a total of 10 heats will be contested with eight wiener dogs competing in each. The first race will begin after the last live harness race of the day, which will be approximately 4:20 p.m. The wiener dog races are the final feature of Family Fun Day at the races. The 2015 live harness racing season gets under way on Monday, July 27.

Last year, Kristy Drabek’s 2-year-old dachshund named Brinkley stormed down the stretch of America’s oldest lighted harness racetrack to win the championship final after competing for the first time ever. The official margin of victory was a half (dog) length. Six-year-old Pablo Penders, owned by Adrienne Penders, surged at the wire to nip 5-year-old early leader, Ruby, owned by Sarah Farley, for second.

The first 80 dogs entered will receive a canine gift bag courtesy of Genesee Feeds of Batavia. But the dogs won’t be the only winners here; their human counterparts are in line for a nice payoff as well. Each “puprietor” will be eligible to receive some nice prizes if their pet pooch proves prolific.

The owners of each heat winner (10 in all) will receive $25 in gaming free-play. And the winning, second and third place owner in the championship final will receive $100, $75 and $50 in gaming free-play respectively along with two complimentary clubhouse buffets each as well.

To register or for more information, all owners should call Arna Tygart at 585-343-3750, ext. 437, during regular business hours.

Photographer Amanda Earl covered the wiener dog race at Batavia Downs. 

Press release from Batavia Downs:

Kristy Drabek’s 2-year-old dachshund named Brinkley stormed down the stretch of America’s oldest lighted harness racetrack to win the championship final of the 2014 Genesee Feeds wiener dog races on Sunday afternoon at Batavia Downs Gaming.

The official margin of victory was a half a (dog) length.

Six-year Pablo Penders, owned by Adrienne Penders, surged at the wire to nip another 5-year-old, early leader Ruby, owned by Sarah Farley, for second.

Over 70 fleet-footed wiener dogs participated in the annual races that act as the final piece of Family Fun Day at the races.

Brinkey’s win was worth $100 in gaming free for his happy owners while second and third paid off $50 and $25 in free play, respectively.

Reigning champion Gordon, who has won the last three years, did not enter.

“It was a great crowd and a great day,” Todd Haight, Director/GM of live racing, said. “Our marketing department put together a plethora of activities and it certainly brought a huge crowd.

Batavia Downs video:

By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs

Of all the promotions presented during the live harness racing meet at Batavia Downs each year, the Dachshund or “wiener dog” races have become the most popular. Since 2005, thousands of fans have congregated at the fence in front of the grandstand to position themselves for the best view of the starters in each of the carded heats.

This year the wiener dog races will be held Sunday, Aug. 24, during Family Fun Day at Batavia Downs. Sponsored by Genesee Feeds of Batavia, a total of 10 heats will be contested with eight wiener dogs in each race. The first race will begin after the last live harness race of the day, which will be approximately 4:20 p.m.

For the last three years, a fleet-footed flyer named Gordon has won this annual event. But he is not entered in the race this year so his reign as champion is over. Gordon's retirement will be welcome news for the other doggies who will be storming down the home stretch because, with the favorite out of the race, the field is wide open for a new titleholder.

The first 70 dogs entered will receive a canine gift bag courtesy of Genesee Feeds of Batavia. But the dogs won’t be the only winners here; their human counterparts are in line for a nice payoff as well. Each “puprietor” will be eligible to receive some nice prizes if their pet pooch proves prolific.

The owners of each heat winner (10 in all) will receive $25 in gaming free-play. And the winning, second- and third-place owner in the championship final will receive $100, $75 and $50 in gaming free-play, respectively, along with two complimentary clubhouse buffets each.

Besides the wiener dog races, other highlights of the Family Fun Day will include free pony rides from 2-4 p.m. (sponsored by Castilone Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep of Batavia), a bounce house and appearances by the ever popular Pringles the Clown, Mr. Scribbles and Jason the Juggler.

There will be $1 Sahlen’s hot dogs and $1 sodas available from noon until 4 at the concession on the track apron. Cotton Candy and Snow Cones will also be available for $1 all afternoon.

A 12-race card of afternoon harness racing is scheduled on Family Fun Day with the first post slated for 1:15. Admission and parking, as always, are free.

Gordon, owned by Lindsay Ryan, notched a three-peat today in the annual Wiener Dog Race at Batavia Downs.

Gordon bested a field of 72 wieners that converged on the Downs from all over WNY.

The grand prize was a $100 free play at Batavia Downs Casino.

Lindsay Ryan, extremely happy with Gordon’s victory, was hinting of retirement for her fleet-footed canine.

“He’s going to be seven next year and we will have to see what happens, maybe it’s time for Gordon to retire. I’d like to give someone else a chance to win,” Ryan said.

Finishing second, two-dog lengths behind Gordon, was Daisy owned by Vernon Marzolf while Max owned by Chris Cummings and Isabella owned by Victoria Small tied for third.

Tater who was in Heat #4 enjoys a post race snack.

Gordan in the final race.

Winner Gordan and Lindsay Ryan with their prize.

Press release:

Late August is considered the "Dog Days of Summer" and it also must mean it's time for the annual Petco Wiener Dog races. The popular event is once again part of "Family Fun Day" at the races, this Sunday afternoon (Aug. 25) at Batavia Downs with the dachshund race competition getting under way at approximately 4:15 p.m., after the completion of the live 11-race harness racing card.

Gordon, owned by Lindsay Ryan, is the two-time defending champion. He dead-heated with another wiener dog legend, Jake Arnold, in 2011 and then scored an extremely narrow win last year. He'll try to make wiener dog history by winning this event three consecutive years in a row.

There will be up to 10 heats with each winner scoring a $25 free play voucher to Batavia Downs Gaming. The heat winners then return for a championship race with the winning owner getting $100 in free play, second place gets $75 in free play while the third place finisher receives $50 in free play. The owners of the top three finishers will also get two complimentary buffets.

The first 70 entrants also receive doggie bags from the official sponsor of the Wiener Dog races, Petco of Batavia.

"It's a day we look forward to every year and judging by the size of the crowd we draw, so do our fans," said Batavia Downs General Manager of Live Racing Todd Haight.

Besides $1 Sahlen's hot dogs, soda, draft beer and snow cones, there will be free pony rides for the kids from 2-4 p.m. sponsored by Castilone Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep of Batavia, along with appearances by Pringles The Clown and Mr. Scribbles.

The live harness racing action begins at 1:15 p.m. Admission and parking is free.

Attention weeny dog owners! There are 20 spots still open for the highly anticipated and prestigious wiener dog races this Sunday, Aug. 25, at Batavia Downs.

The goal is to have 80 dogs from all over Western New York vie for the championship.
If you want your dog to experience the thrill of competition and, possibly, the sublime joy of victory, then call Sara Tenney at Batavia Downs to secure a spot. Phone is (585) 343-3750, ext. 309.

Each heat winner gets $25 in Free Play. There are scheduled to be 10 heats and then a championship Final. The top three dog owners in Final receive free play.

The hot dog action is part of Batavia Downs' annual "Family Fun Day," which runs from 2 to 4 p.m. The Downs will also feature 11 horse races, free pony rides, Pringles The Clown, Mr. Scribbles and $1 hot dogs and sodas from noon to 4 p.m.

Bring the entire family for a special matinee racing time Sunday at 1:15 p.m. and enjoy a fun day around horses. Watch these local wiener dogs race down the track for prizes! This is fun for the whole family.

Parking and admission are totally free! Batavia Downs is located at 8315 Park Road Batavia.

Press release:

For the second year in a row, Lindsay Ryan’s “Gordon” proved he’s still the fastest dachshund in Western New York, when he won Sunday’s Petco Wiener Dog Races at Batavia Downs.

In front of the largest crowd ever to witness the annual event, 75 dogs squared off in 10 elimination heats with each elimination heat winner returning for the championship final.

The fastest 10 dogs left their handlers and roared by the historic half-mile tracks home stretch and after videotape review it was determined that “Gordon” had indeed narrowly crossed the finish line first.

Tom Grimm’s “Isabella” was a very close second while Christopher Cummings “Max” finished right there in third.

“Gordon’s” accomplishments earned her owner $200 in casino free play. Second and third place was worth $100 and $50 in casino play for their respective owners.   

The wiener dog races are the final event of Family Fun Day at the races held each year on the last Sunday afternoon in August.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Press release:

The annual Petco Wiener Dog Races, the final activity of Family Fun Day at the Races, takes place Sunday afternoon (Aug. 26) at Batavia Downs Casino. Post time for the first of 12 exciting harness races is 1:15 p.m. Family Fun Day activities begin at 2 p.m. and the hilarious Petco wiener dog races begin shortly after the last harness race, approximately 4:20 p.m.

One year ago, the Championship final was declared a dead-heat after online video appeared to show that the final results, between two-time defending champion “Jake Arnold” and the robust newcomer “Gordon” may not have been correct.

The following day after reviewing video and photographs of the final heat the results were overturned and a dead-heat was declared.

"We have a full field of 80 signed up and ready to go,” said Todd Haight, general manager of live racing. “The dogs should begin arriving at 3 p.m. through the main entrance to be registered.”

"The prize structure for the top three finishers in the Championship final will be $200 in casino free play for the winner, $100 in free play for the second-place finisher and $50 in free play to the third-place finisher, " Director of Marketing Ryan Hasenauer said.

"New this year, all elimination heat winners are guaranteed $20 in casino free play while everyone that enters a dog will receive $10 in free play."

Family Fun Day activities include free pony rides, sponsored by Castilone Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Batavia, and special appearances by Mr. Scribbles and Pringles the Clown.

A live radio remote by Kiss 98.5 FM will be held featuring DJ Nicholas Picholas.

Paddock room food specials include $1 Sahlen’s hot dogs and soda from 12 until 4 p.m. For more information please visit www.batavia-downs.com.

It's official -- it's a tie.

Batavia Downs officials announced late this afternoon that, after spending hours reviewing all available pictures and video of the 2011 Wiener Dog Race, the final match ended in a dead heat.

Lindsay Ryan, owner of first-year runner Gordon, will receive $200 in free play at the casnio. 

After Sunday afternoon's race, when Jake Arnold, owned by Jane Smart, was declared the winner, Smart received the $200 in free play prize.

Hours after the race, evidence began to surface suggesting that Jake Arnold wasn't a clear-cut winner, leading Batavia Downs officials to delay certifying the race results.

A rematch is in the works, tentatively set for Sept. 24. Officials are waiting from confirmation from the Jake Arnold camp.

“It’s simply too close to call," said Todd Haight, general manager of live racing. “I know there is video out on the Internet that appears to show Gordon in front, but our official photo-finish camera shows both dogs hitting the line simultaneously. So in all fairness a dead heat was the right way to go.”

The rookie Gordon came a breath away from upsetting defending champion Jake Arnold.

In a statement released by Batavia Downs, Lindsay Ryan said, "We came to the dog races because we wanted to get my friend's mom, who has cancer, out of the house. We knew Gordon would run his heart out for her and he did. She had so much fun. I am so happy with how things turned out." 

Officials are reviewing the photo finish of the Wiener Dog Race at Batavia Downs on Sunday afternoon.

The official results will be announced Monday morning, according to Todd Haight, general manager of live racing.

Haight said he wants to review the photos more closely and talk with officials who were in the upstairs booth to better understand what they saw.

A handful of people on the ground after the race thought Gordon won, but a ruling came from the upstairs booth that Jake Arnold had pulled out another victory.

Haight released photos of the finish that seem to show Gordon, owned by Lindsay Ryan, beating odds-on favorite Jake Arnold (wearing pink and #7) by a head. Jake Arnoald is owned by Jane Smart.

"I feel bad for Jane and Jake Arnold, but as of right now it appears Gordon won by a head," Haight said.

If the results are overturned, Arnold will have failed at his try at a threepeat. If Gordon is declared the winner it will be a major upset for the first-time competitor.

Photo below: Gordon and Lindsay Ryan.

Previously: Wiener Dog Races: Jake Arnold does it again

UPDATE 11:18 p.m.: Race results are under review.

For the third-straight year Jake Arnold bested a large field of eager wiener dogs -- and some not so eager -- to take the 2011 Wiener Dog Race championship title.

A large crowd of wiener dog race enthusiasts were on hand to cheer for their favorite hungry little dachshund.

Jake Arnold, a 4-year-old owned by Jane Smart, won the big race in a photo finish, beating out first-year entrant Gordon, owned by Lindsay Ryan, and long-time rival Rudy, an 8-year-old owned by Ron Schiller.

Rudy, a previous race winner, finished second ton Jake Arnold for the previous two years.

In all, 63 elongated canines raced at the Downs on today.

More photos in the slide show below (if you have trouble viewing the slide show, click here.) 

To purchase photos from this event, click here.

"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: