Open action was on tap at Batavia Thursday February 24, 2023

Batavia, NY — Hard work by Kim Crawford and his track crew put aside the effects of an overnight ice storm that negatively impacted a large swath of Western New York, and ensured that the Thursday afternoon (Feb. 23) card was held as scheduled. And despite sloppy conditions with intermittent freezing rain throughout the day, the card went off without a hitch. Three $13,000 Open … Continue reading Open action was on tap at Batavia Thursday »

Batavia featured Pop-Up Series finals February 21, 2023

Batavia, NY — Four finals of the Western New York Pop-Up Series headlined the card at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 20) with a total of $63,000 distributed between those events. In the $12,000 Trackmaster 70 pace, Ellieonthemove (Kevin Cummings) struck an early lead and maintained that position for the duration of the mile. After setting quarters of :29 :59.3 and 1:29.1, Ellieonthemove paced home … Continue reading Batavia featured Pop-Up Series finals »

Who’s Got The Move upsets at Batavia Downs February 17, 2023

  Batavia, NY — A substantial class hike made punters overlook Who’s Got The Move’s convincing 4-½ length victory from just last week and their wagering discard provided big dividends for those who came back for more as Who’s Got The Move repeated and won the $9,500 co-features pace at Batavia Downs on Thursday afternoon (2-16) at 39-1. Who’s Got The Move (Dave McNeight III) … Continue reading Who’s Got The Move upsets at Batavia Downs »

Jim Morrill Jr. gets career win 8,000 at Batavia Downs February 14, 2023

Batavia, NY— Driver Jim Morrill Jr. achieved another major milestone in his stellar career at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb.13) when he drove Sportskeeper ($4.70) to an easy gate to wire, 1:56.1 victory in the seventh race to achieve his 8,000th lifetime win in the sulky. Morrill would also win with Gorgeous View (1:58.3, $7.00) and Silver Buckeye (2:00.2, $8.40) for the hat trick to put … Continue reading Jim Morrill Jr. gets career win 8,000 at Batavia Downs »

Long-shots aplenty at Batavia Downs Thursday February 10, 2023

Batavia, NY — It was a warm and wet Thursday afternoon (Feb. 9) at Batavia Downs and despite the sun making a cameo appearance for a couple of races, the wet conditions may have contributed to only three favorites winning in 12 races on a day where big payouts were the norm. The top trot was a $9,500 conditioned event that saw Explosive Leggs (Dan … Continue reading Long-shots aplenty at Batavia Downs Thursday »

Batavia Downs sets another record handle on Monday February 7, 2023

Batavia, NY — It was just last week that Batavia Downs set its own handle bar higher after seeing $340,602 pass through betting portals both at the track and at simulcast outlets. That total became the highest on record since Western Regional Off Track Betting reopened the Downs in 2002. However on Monday (Feb. 6) — only one week later — that record was broken … Continue reading Batavia Downs sets another record handle on Monday »

Kevin Cummings wins six at Batavia Downs February 3, 2023

Batavia, NY — Kevin Cummings, who was Batavia Downs’ leading driver of 2022, moved back into first place for dash victories in 2023 after winning six of the 11 races programmed on Thursday afternoon (Feb.2) including winning five in a row from race three to race seven. Cummings won with Outkast Blue Chip (1:59.1, $6.50), Finkle Is Einhorn (2:00.3, $4.90), Explosive Leggs (2:03, $4.90), JK … Continue reading Kevin Cummings wins six at Batavia Downs »

Batavia Downs sets a new all-time betting mark on Monday January 31, 2023

Batavia, NY — It was an historic day for the oldest lighted harness track in North America on Monday (Jan. 30) after the bettors came out in force and pumped $340,602 through the windows (from all sources) on 13 races to set a new all-time single card betting mark at Batavia Downs. That total is the highest handle since Western Regional Off Track Betting reopened … Continue reading Batavia Downs sets a new all-time betting mark on Monday »

Batavia Downs cancels Thursday card January 27, 2023

Batavia, NY — Due to unsafe track conditions, Batavia Downs canceled racing for Thursday (Jan.26). The $10,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool will be carried over to Monday (Jan. 30). Post time for Monday is at 3 p.m. By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs kicked off WNY Racing Series Monday January 24, 2023

Batavia, NY — On Monday (Jan. 23), Batavia Downs began a four week Pop-Up Racing Series for Western New York-based Trackmaster pacers and trotters with preliminary leg classes going for between $6,000 and $9,000 each (depending on class). Monday saw 10 series races go postward and these events provided some very competitive racing. The best pacing effort of the day was turned in by Sportskeeper … Continue reading Batavia Downs kicked off WNY Racing Series Monday »