Batavia, NY — The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs has announced that driver Kyle Swift will receive the 2023 Rising Star Award during the Night of Distinction awards presentation that will be held at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 9). After driving at fairs and in qualifiers for two years, the 18-year-old Kyle Swift earned his … Continue reading Kyle Swift named Rising Star at Batavia Downs »

Batavia, NY — Persistent rain and a sloppy track set the stage for racing at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Dec. 2) but the inclement conditions didn’t prevent Ricky B Sharp from excelling in the $15,000 Open I Handicap trotting feature. Credit List (Kyle Cummings) grabbed the first lead before relenting to Staghouse (Ray FIsher Jr.), who pulled past the eighth to take the front … Continue reading Ricky B Sharp cut through the mud at Batavia Downs »

Batavia, NY — For the second time this meet, Jim McNeight Jr. visited the winner’s enclosure five times during the Wednesday night (Nov. 29) card at Batavia Downs to further enhance what has been a career year for the 27-year-old reinsman. His first foray with five came on October 6. McNeight won with Mach Of Shame (1:59, $6.90), Fear Her Touch (1:57.2, $13.80), Chipper Daisey … Continue reading Five more wins for Jim McNeight Jr. at Batavia Downs »

Batavia, NY — After bouncing back from an untimely break last week and despite a jump in class for this start, Johnny Boy got back in the win column by taking the $15,000 Open I Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 25). Kevin Cummings sent Johnny Boy to the front, grabbed the lead past the quarter and then controlled the race … Continue reading Johnny Boy upsets top trot, Morrill wins five at Batavia »

Batavia, NY — After a convincing victory off class relief last week, Louie The Lilac moved back to the feature race and won again in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Nov. 22). Kevin Cummings fired Louie The Lilac to the front and led every step of the way. After setting the pace at :28.1, … Continue reading Louie The Lilac doubles up in Batavia feature »

Batavia, NY —  With no winner of the Pick-5 last Saturday (Nov. 18), there is a carryover of $3,035 for that wager on Wednesday (Nov. 22) and Batavia Downs will be offering a $10,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool. This is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and free program pages courtesy of Trackmaster will be available on the USTA’s website under the Handicapping/Strategic Wagering links. The Pick-5 wager … Continue reading Batavia offers $10,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool Wednesday »

Batavia, NY — Jim Morrill Jr. put on a driving clinic at Batavia Downs Saturday night (Nov. 18) winning nine of the 13 races on the card. Morrill’s run included a natural hat trick in races two through four, a natural grand slam in races seven through 10 and victories in both feature races. Morrill also had one third and posted an unbelievable .778 UDR … Continue reading Morrill breaks Batavia track record with nine wins Saturday »

Batavia, NY — The Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association has announced that the organization will be donating $2,500 to help the victims of the unscrupulous act of arson that killed 30 horses and devastated the horsemen and women stabled at Tioga Downs on Thursday (Nov. 9). The WNYHHA will join the large number of associations, tracks and fellow horsemen across North America who have … Continue reading WNYHHA to donate $2,500 to Tioga Downs fire victims »

Batavia, NY — It’s been seven weeks since Louie The Lilac had her picture taken at Batavia Downs, but that all changed on Wednesday night (Nov. 15) after she easily handled a group of mid-level conditioned mares in the $11,500 feature race. Kevin Cummings got away fifth with Louie The Lilac as Isla Seelster (Drew Monti) led at the half in :58.1. Bet I’m Lucky … Continue reading Louie The Lilac back on top in Batavia feature »

Batavia, NY — Prior to the start of racing on Saturday night (Nov. 11) at Batavia Downs, members of the the local driver, trainer, groom and owner colony gathered trackside for a moment of silence to remember and honor their peers at Tioga Downs who lost their horses and their livelihoods as a result of a despicable act of arson that befell that track this … Continue reading Batavia horsemen and women honor Tioga victims Saturday »