Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- New York Prime tied Outlaws Ransome for the winningest horse at the 2009 Summer-fall meet when he took the featured $8,000 Open Handicap, Saturday night (Nov-7.) at Batavia Downs Casino.

In eight Batavia starts, New York Prime has won seven and finished second in the other. He’s won 18 races this year which makes him one North America’s best, only three horses, Shortest Distance, Bell On Wheels and Real Expresso have won more.

Tom Agosti sent New York Prime right to the top and they were cruising on the lead in :59.3. Approaching the five-eighths the real race started when last week’s Open winner, Arm and a Leg with Kevin Cummings, moved alongside to challenge.

The two best pacers in Western New York put on quite a show as Arm and a Leg gained command at three-quarters in 1:28 but couldn’t clear.

Around the final turn Arm and a Leg was still in front but feeling pressure from both sides as New York Prime was beginning to fight back at the rail while Oh Gee Whiz and Ron Beback. Jr., were advancing three-wide. At the top of the stretch all three pacers were across the track.

Down the lane it was a determined New York Prime who fought back to score a neck victory over a very game Arm and a Leg in 1:56.3. Oh Geez Whiz wound up third.  

New York Prime, a 6-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight, is trained by Alex Giuliani for owners Richey Edward Myers, Jeffry Myers, Robert Marsjanik and Robert Stern.

2009 Downs dash leading driver Kevin Cummings and Ron Beback. Jr., scored hat tricks on Saturday night while Tom Agosti had a driving double. Jim Graham, Alex Giuliani and Ron Beback. Jr., conditioned a pair of winners each.

Racing resumes on Tuesday night, this will be the last Tuesday of the season. It will also be the final opportunity to take advantage of one of the best deals ever offered at America’s oldest lighted harness track. Purchase one clubhouse buffet at the regular price ($13.95) and receive $10 back in Casino free play. Post time is 7:05 p.m.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Ultra Racing Stable's talented distaffer Party News went from last to first to win the Wednesday night featured $8,500 Filly and Mares Open at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
Party News, a 5-year-old daughter of Party At Artsplace, recorded her ninth win of the 2009 campaign in 1:56.4, a new seasonal mark. Troy Boring was in the sulky for trainer Cliff Keene. The $4,250 share of the purse put Party News at just under $50,000 in earnings this season.
 
Natural Spring and Tom Agosti, the leader into the home stretch, finished second while last week's Mares Open winner Pembroke Primo (Kevin Cummings) wound up third.
 

Batavia Downs Casino is currently racing Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Post time is 7:05 p.m. The 2009 Summer–Fall meet concludes on December 5.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino
 

Press Release:

Batavia, NY--Arm And A Leg, a 6-year-old Nobleland Sam gelding out of the Towner’s Big Guy mare Kelly’s Hat Trick, quickly took the lead from post 5, and never looked back, to win for the 12th time this season in the featured $8,500 Open Handicap Pace for owners Mark J. Jakubik and John P. Cummings Sr., in 1:55.3, at Batavia Downs Casino, on Saturday night (Oct. 31).
 
With regular reinsman Kevin Cummings in the bike, Arm and a Leg cut all the fractions in the race, 27.4, 57.3, and 1:26.4 en route to a three-length score over New York Prime with Tom Agosti. Oh Geez Whiz (Ron Beback Jr.,) was farther back in third.
 
New York Prime, who was parked out to almost the half from his assigned outside post position, suffered his first defeat in Western New York after winning six in a row. He remains a serious candidate for October horse of the month.
 
The win raised Arm and a Leg’s seasonal earnings to just under $80,000 and lifetime earnings to $210,000. John Cummings Sr., is the trainer.
 
Kevin Cummings, Troy Boring and Jack Flanigen all had driving doubles. Training doubles went to Jim Compton and Laurie Patistas.
 
Batavia Downs Casino is currently racing Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday nights, post time is 7:05 p.m. The 2009 Summer-Fall meet ends on December 5.
 
In addition to live harness racing Batavia Downs Casino offers simulcast wagering from some of North America’s top tracks and Video Gaming. The gaming floor featuring over 600 gaming machines is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press Release

Batavia, NY --- The razor-sharp pacer New York Prime raised his Batavia Downs Casino record to a perfect six-for-six when for the second week in a row he won the featured $8,500 Open Handicap pace on Saturday night, Oct. 24.

New York Prime is now a perfect four-for-four since being claimed for $8,000 on Sept. 25 by trainer Alex Giuliani for owner Richey Edward Myers of Phoenix, Az. Once again Tom Agosti was in the sulky.

New York Prime bided his time towards the back of the pack and pulled third-over as Meadows invader Friday Nite Lights (Sam Schillaci) cut the half in :58.1.

Passing the five-eighths pole, the longshot Oh Gee Whiz, with Ron Beback, Jr. aboard, was now in the front with Arm And A Leg (Kevin Cummings) and New York Prime now second and third at the three-quarters, in 1:27.2.

At the top of the stretch, Oh Gee Whiz was still there, but New York Prime was closing-in and paced on past Oh Gee Whiz in deep stretch to win by three-quarter lengths, in 1:57.3, over a sloppy racetrack.

Arm and a Leg finished third.

New York Prime, one of North America’s winningest horses this year, won for the 17th time this season. He’s a 6-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding.

Reinsman Kevin Holliday, driving as good as ever after missing the first six weeks of the meet because of an injury, had a driving triple, while dash-leading driver Kevin Cummings and Ray Fisher, Jr. had driving doubles.

The summer-fall meet’s leading conditioner, Sherri Holliday, had a training triple.

Batavia Downs Casino offers one of its best deals ever when racing resumes on Tuesday night. Purchase one clubhouse buffet at the regular price of $13.95, and receive $10.00 back in Casino free play. Post time is 7:05 p.m.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press Release

Batavia, NY --- A very sloppy racetrack and a first-over trip couldn’t stop the razor sharp Joe Page from repeating in the Open Handicap Trot on Friday night at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
Once again former Downs regular Sam Schillaci was in town to drive for trainer Mike Delano. Joe Page is a 4-year-old Mr Lavec-Well Cast gelding that is owned by Joe Cicatello.
 
Getting away fifth in the field of seven, Schilliaci tipped Joe Page to the outside after three-eighths of a mile and they began to advance, moving into second, two lengths behind the front running A Work In Progress with Ken Holliday at the three-quarters in 1:30.4.
 
Down the lane Joe Page trotted up to and on by a determined A Work In Progress to win by one length in 2:01.2. Zapphappy Kash with Hall of Famer Clint Galbraith finished third.
 
The win was his sixth of the season and put Joe Page over the $100,000 mark in lifetime earnings.
 
Troy Boring was the driving star of the evening, guiding home four winners. Tom Agosti and Jack Flanigen had driving doubles. Trainer Sue Stockwell had a training double.
 
America’s oldest lighted Harness Track is currently racing every Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday night. Post time is 7:05 p.m.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press Release:

Batavia, NY -- Taking a big step up in company didn’t stop Natural Spring from pulling the mild upset in the featured $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace on Wednesday night at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
Natural Spring, claimed for $14,500 by owner Richey Edward Myers in her last start, paid back immediate dividends when she went on to a 5-1/4 length score in 1:55.4, which lowered her seasonal mark by over a full second. Tom Agosti was at the controls for Alex Giuliani. Sun Belle Perfect with Ron Beback, Jr. was second while Memphis Glow with Troy Boring finished third.
 
Racing resumes on Friday night (Oct.23). Post time is 7:05 p.m.
 
Todd Haight
Batavia Downs

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- The much improved Joe Page went from last to first to win the featured $8,500 Open Handicap Trot on Friday night at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
With former Downs regular Sam Schillaci in town to drive for trainer Mike Delano, Joe Page settled in seventh as the field of Western New York’s best squaregaiters was led by Jack Sparrow and Jim McNeight through fractions of :29, :59.3 and 1:28.4.
 
Around the final turn Jack Sparrow was still the commander of the fractions but Joe Page was gaining with every stride. Down the lane it was Joe Page with all the momentum as he trotted right by Jack Sparrow to a 1-1/4 length score in 1:58.4, a nice mile on a chilly night. Jack Sparrow held on to the second spot while A Work In Progress with Ken Holliday wound up third.
 
Joe Cicatello owns Joe Page, a 4-year-old Mr Lavec-Well Cast gelding who recorded his fifth win of the year and raised his seasonal earnings to over $27,000.
 
The summer-fall meet's leading chauffeur Kevin Cummings visited the winner's circle three more times while the red-hot Jack Flanigen had a driving double including scoring with 40-1 shot Knob Hill Splash.
 
Racing is currently being conducted at America’s oldest lighted Harness Track every Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday night. Post time is 7:05 p.m.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Photo: Joe Page with driver Sam Schillaci defeating Jack Sparrow in Batavia Downs featured trot. Courtesy of Paul White.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- It was billed as Super Saturday night (Oct. 10) at Batavia Downs Casino, with the biggest trot and pace of the year, a retirement ceremony for one of the most popular horses to ever race at the Downs, a check presentation for charity and a t-shirt giveaway.

The pacing event was the track’s showcase event of the season, the seventh annual $40,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial. On Super Saturday, two super horses finished one-two.

Taking complete advantage of his rail post draw, the classy pacer Foiled Again went wire-to-wire to win the Kane Memorial.

With Matt Kakaley in the bike for trainer Ron Burke, Foiled Again fired out of the starting gate, seated his main rival Special Report heading into the first turn and put up all the numbers en route to a 3-1/2 length score in 1:52.3. Special Report with Larry Stalbaum finished second best while Eagle Real One (Gareth Dowse) was farther back in third.

“I won the Battle of Lake Erie with him (Foiled Again); he’s perfect on a half,” Kakaley said. “Once I got the front end and a second quarter breather I knew it was over.”

The victory put Foiled Again (Dragon Again-In A Safe Place) over the $550,000 mark in seasonal earnings for owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and JJK Stables.

The third annual $10,000 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot was contested earlier on the card and it was Scorpion Moon who took home the lion’s share of the purse money for driver Jack Rice and trainer Tracy Brainard. Scorpion Moon overtook the front running Baby Boy Grin (Larry Stalbaum) at the three-quarters and went on to a 4-3/4 length win in 1:58.2. The much improved Fessup Fred (Jimmy Whisman) trotted up to be second while Baby Boy Grin held on for third.

Scorpion Moon (Armbro Scorpion-Angies Nugget) was able to turn the tables on Baby Boy Grin, who defeated him four days earlier at Pocono Downs. The win was his fourth of the 2009 campaign for owners Tracy Brainard and Andrew Herzog.

Racing fans were able to say goodbye to Rockysbreezybuddy with a special winner's circle ceremony. The 2003 Kane Memorial winner earned $230,000 in his career and will be retired to trainer Peter Arrigenna’s farm in Piffard, New York.

Batavia Downs presented Mercy Flight with a check for $15,634.35, thanks to sponsorship of races, a silent auction and a golf tournament. Doug Baker, the president of Mercy Flight of Western New York, was trackside for the presentation.

Racing resumes on Tuesday night, Oct. 13. Post time is 7:05 p.m. The summer-fall meet continues through December 5.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Volunteers for Animals had a few pets at the Farmers' Market at Batavia Downs this morning (they'll be there for another hour).

It was oh-so-tempting to take one of these puppies home, especially the black-furred guy up front in this picture. While I leaned down, he came over, jumped on my lap, licked my face and whispered in my ear, "I want to be Pachuco's brother." 

Alas, we have no room for another dog, but perhaps you do.

In a year in which New York has seen growth in lottery revenue, Batavia Downs is among the most successful video gaming facilities in the state, reports the Ithica Journal:

The largest was a 10 percent revenue increase at Batavia Downs Race Track, which is owned by Western Regional Off-Track Betting. Western OTB was criticized when it bought the track in the late 1990s, but the success of the terminals has offset losses on the racing side, allowing Western OTB in recent years to return profits to the counties it serves.

Western OTB has had about $250,000 in losses at its betting branches this year, but has had a profit of about $1.5 million at the video-lottery facility, which has 605 machines, officials said.

Overall in New York, video lottery terminal sales grew 3.3 percent in the first half of the fiscal year. Mega Millions sales were up 37 percent.

The trend across most of the rest of the nation for state-run lotteries has been downward.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- The 7th annual $40,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial pace headlines a terrific card of racing on Saturday night, but for some racing fans the night could be bittersweet.
 
Rockysbreezybuddy, a standout on the local circuit for much of the decade and the 2003 Kane Memorial winner, is being retired.
 
The horse they simply call "Rocky" will see his career officially end with a special winner's circle ceremony after the 6th race. He will then lead the post parade for this year’s Kane Memorial.
 
Owned by William Brown and trained by Peter Arrigenna, the 11-year-old In the Pocket gelding earned $230,181 in his career. In 258 lifetime starts, he had 53 wins, 32 seconds and 43 thirds, and took his lifetime mark at Vernon Downs of 1:52.2 in 2003.
 
“Rocky let us know when he was ready. After his last start at Batavia he came off sore in the left front," Arrigenna said. "He's been too good of a horse to try to race him in cheap claimers. I called Billy and told him it was time to retire him."
 
Rocky broke his maiden at Rosecroft Raceway with Betsy Brown (sister of Bill) driving in October of 2000. His last victory, with Troy Boring in the sulky, was in February of this year, at Buffalo Raceway.
 
“Rocky was a perfect horse to be around, you never had to worry about him hurting anybody,” Arrigenna said.
 
His daughter, Mandy, referred to Rocky as "her Saturday night date at the track.”
 
Rocky was owned by both Bill and Betsy Brown. Betsy trained him at Rosecroft until he came to the Western New York circuit at age 4.
 
"He was so use to a 5/8th track that when he left the gate at Buffalo, he had the 7 hole, he didn't know how to make the first turn," Arrigenna said. "I thought he was heading out the outside fence.”
 
“He had talent and the rest is history. I never thought when we got him he would have made over $200,000, the hard way in overnights and most of it before slots. He won Opens at Batavia, Buffalo, Vernon and Monticello for us, and of course the Kane."
 
“He was a pleasure to have in our Opens,” Racing Secretary and Track Announcer Joe Zambito said. “You always count on him to put on a good show and from an announcer stand point he was fun to call because he was a fan favorite. He would be charging home every week.”
 
On Saturday he'll merely be jogging when he leaves the Batavia Downs oval one last time, taking with him a lifetime of memories for so many.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press release:
 
Batavia, NY --- Ron Viola, Dave Venniro and Jim Graham’s Allamerican Improv parlayed a perfect trip into his first ever Open Handicap win on Saturday night (Oct.3) at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
In rein to Ray Fisher, Jr., the talented 3-year-old Artiscape colt sat in behind the front running Arm And A Leg (Kevin Cummings) the entire trip, angled out at the top of the stretch and got up in the final few strides to notch his third win of the season in 1:55.1. Scotts Royce Rolls (Jimmy Whisman), a victim of stalled cover for the second week in a row, wound up third.
 
Allamerican Improv, a stakes winning freshman, raised his 2009 earnings to more than $35,000. He’s earned more than $160,000 lifetime. Jim Graham is the conditioner.
 
Racing Fans are reminded that next Saturday night figures to be one of biggest nights of the season with the $40,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace, the $10,000 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot and the retirement ceremony of popular local pacer Rockysbreezybuddy.
 
The Summer/Fall meet continues through December 5 with racing every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night. Post time is 7:05.
 
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- A sloppy racetrack couldn’t rain on the parade of Robin of Locksley from winning his first $8,000 Open Handicap pace of the Summer-fall meet, Saturday night (Sept-26) at Batavia Downs Casino.

Using his good early gate speed, reinsman Ron Beback Jr., put Robin of Locksley on the lead and they went wire to wire to win by a head in 1:58.2.

Turning for home “Robin” appeared to be in hot water as a first over Scotts Rolls Royce (Jimmy Whisman) was up to challenge and the favorite, Arm and a Leg (Kevin Cummings), was gearing up three-wide on the far outside but they were all in futile chase as “Robin “ was able to dig in and hold on. Arm and a Leg wound up second and “Scott” finished third.

Robin of Locksley won for the 6th time this season for owner Pete Spaeth and trainer Bob Gruber III. The 7-year-old son of JK Outlaw raised his lifetime earnings to over $185,000.

Bob Gruber also conditions Escape Pass, who was victorious in the co-featured $7,000 Open II pace.   

Leading driver Kevin Cummings continued with his hot hand guiding home five more winners, he had 4 on Friday night. D J Millner scored a four-bagger on the training side.

Batavia Downs Casino is currently racing Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday nights, post time is 7:05 p.m.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Photo: Robin of Locksley with Ron Beback Jr. holding on over Arm and a Leg and Kevin Cummings to win the featured $8,000 Open Handicap, Saturday night at Batavia Downs Casino.
 

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY --- For the second week in a row A Work In Progress was victorious in the weekly trotting feature, Friday night (Sept-25) at Batavia Downs Casino.

Just like last week, Ken “Doc” Holliday put A Work In Progress on the lead and they put up all the numbers en route to a 1-1/4 length score, in 1:59.3.
The improving Manfromnantucket (Jack Flanigen) closed down the center to be second, while Jack Sparrow (Jim McNeight) rallied from last to be third.

A Work In Progress, a 5-year-old, altered son of SJ’s Caviar is owned Betty Tauber of New Brunswick, N.J. and trained by Sherri Holliday. The winner’s share of the $8,000 purse raised his season’s earnings to more than $39,000. He paid $4.30 to win.

Leading dashwinning driver Kevin Cummings extended his lead by driving four winners on the Friday program. Former Downs regular Sam Schillaci and Ken Holliday had driving doubles.

America’s oldest lighted harness track is currently racing on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Post time is 7:05 p.m., eastern.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Photo: A Work In Progress with Ken Holliday winning the $8,000 Open Handicap Trot, Friday Night at Batavia Downs. Courtesy of Paul White.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- The pocket rocket, Outlaws Ransome, was up in time to win the featured $8,000 Open Handicap, Saturday night (Sept-19) at Batavia Downs Casino.

Recently claimed for $10,000 by Richey Edward Myers of Phoenix Arizona, Outlaws Ransome continues to pay back high dividends as he’s moved all the way up to the handicap ranks. Tom Agosti was in the sulky for trainer Alex Giuliani.

Getting away second behind the front running Robin of Locksley (Ron Beback Jr.), Outlaws Ransome simply bided his time in the 2-hole until the field of six turned for home. Down the lane Agosti guided Outlaws Ransome to the passing lane and they were able to reel in “Robin” by a head in 1:55.3. Arson Ant (Troy Boring) who finished fourth was placed third.

Outlaws Ransome ($9.70) notched his 8th win of the season and raised his 2009 earnings to over $33,000.

Batavia Downs Casino is currently racing Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday nights, post time is 7:05 p.m. In addition to live harness racing Batavia Downs Casino offers simulcast wagering from some of North America’s top tracks. The casino floor featuring over 600 slot machines is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Photo courtesy Paul White

Tom Agosti had quite a Friday.

The Batavia Downs driver was thrown and dragged after the horse he was training broke his bit.

Agosti was taken to Erie County Medical Center for examination.

He returned to the Downs in time for the evening races.

And he he drove home FOUR winners that night.

Agosti suffered some minor scrapes and some back discomfort, but is fine according to Todd Haight, Downs spokesman.

The horse, according to Haight, is fine, too.

Mercy EMS is enroute to Batavia Downs Casino and Racetrack, 3315 Park Road, for a report of a jockey who has fallen from a jogging cart at the track.

UPDATE: Medics are on site after entering the Richmond Avenue gate.

UPDATE (1:30 p.m.): Emergency responders are enroute to Erie County Medical Center.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- It was a special night in Western New York as the Downs honored former leading driver Gaston Guindon, and a special horse, Arm and a Leg won the featured $8,000 Open Handicap.

With 2009 leading reinsman Kevin Cummings in the bike, Arm and a Leg notched his fourth Open win of the 2009 Summer-Fall meet in 1:55.3, for owners Mark Jakubik and John Cummings Sr.

Arm and a Leg ($3.70) fired out of the gate from his assigned outside post and put up all the numbers, including a :30.2 second quarter breather, enroute to a neck victory over a  fast closing Triple Bars with Jimmy Whisman, Sparky and Tom Agosti wound up third.

The victory was the 11th of the season for Arm and a Leg who raised his seasonal earnings to almost $70,000. The 6 year-old altered son of Nobleland Sam is trained by John Cummings Sr. 

I had a great evening “The Gasser,” Gaston Guindon said, “I can’t believe how many of my friends came out to see me.” The French-Canadian raced in Western New York for 29 years. “The memories I have of this track are incredible, I want to thank all the people I drove for especially Dennis Cummings, I think we won about 700 races together.”

America’s oldest lighted harness track is currently racing every Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday nights, post time is 7:05p.m.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino 

Photo of Arm and a Leg with driver Kevin Cummings holding off Triple Bars to win Downs feature. Courtesy of Paul White

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Lee Deyermand’s  Fessup Fred, a razor-sharp 7-year-old altered son of Super Freddie, made it three in a row winning Friday's (Sept. 11) featured $8,000 Open II Handicap Trot at Batavia Downs Casino.

With the summer-fall meet’s dash-leading driver Kevin Cummings in the sulky, Fessup Fred left enough from his rail post-position to string out A Work In Progress (Robert Verney) and a three-wide Jack Sparrow (Jim McNeight) as the field of seven clicked the first quarter beam in 28.2.

Moving up around the clubhouse turn on the payoff half and heading to three-quarters, Fessup Fred assumed command and trotted strongly to the wire for a 1-1/4 length score in 1:58.4.

Craiger with Jimmy Whisman closed from far back to be second while A Work In Progress finished third.
 
D J Millner is the conditioner of Fessup Fred ($5.20), who won for the sixth time season and raised his lifetime earnings to over $118,000.
Kevin Cummings was the driving star of the evening guiding home five winners. He also won with Shrewsbury Falcon, Midnight Jogger, Clay Hill King Pin and Educator. Jack Flanigen had three winners on the program while Ray Fisher had a double.
Racing resumes on Saturday night, post time is 7:05 p.m. The Downs will honor Gaston Guindon with a special night, he will be in track lobby from 6 until 7 p.m. to meet and greet his many friends and race fans. “The Gasser” was one of the leading drivers at the Genesee Country oval from 1969 until the early 90’s.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

A spokesman for the task force reviewing Off Track Betting operations in New York wrote to The Batavian yesterday to say:

With reference to the item on the Genesee County Legislature's opposition to a purported takeover of regional Off Track Betting corporations, I wish to assure your readers that the New York State Task Force on the Future of OTB has proposed nothing of the kind.

Joseph Mahoney, public information officer for the New York State Task Force on the Future of OTB was responding to an article The Batavian posted about the Genesee County Legislature passing a resolution opposing any state takeover of OTB, specifically, Batavia Downs.

By this time, Assemblyman Steven Hawley had been very clear that there has been no discussion in Albany of any such takeover.

What I find curious was the wording of Mr. Mahoney's message to The Batavian. He said there has been no proposal. That leaves unsaid, could there be a proposal?

So I wrote back to Mr. Mahoney and asked that and other specific questions such as, "Is there anything on the table that could, possibly, maybe reduce the amount of local control, control of the current operators?"

Mr. Mahoney's response: Visit our web site. 

Well, among the first documents I open is the minutes from the group's first meeting, June 25, in which Chairman John Van Lindt is reported to say  that topping the list of possible outcomes of the Task Force's work is "consolidation to achieve cost savings by efficiency of operations."

To me that sounds like centralization of OTBs, which logically implies a state takeover, don't you think?

In the next meeting, Aug. 2, Van Lindt made a motion that requires OTB's to have early termination clauses in any new contracts. That sounds like a prelude to centralizing administration.

Placed on the agenda for the next meeting: "Various options for continuation of OTBs in the state, e.g., joint venture with tracks, consolidate, privatize with or without consolidation, maintain status quo."

OK, so consolidation isn't the only option, but it's on the table.

At that meeting, Aug. 25, during public comment, Charles Hayward, president the New York Racing Association, includes a suggestion to consolidate operations and overhead "(accounting, marketing, insurance etc.)."

So, Mr. Mahoney is right: There is no proposal, at least in a formal sense, to consolidate OTB operations, but the idea certainly seems to be on people's minds.

Mahoney in his initial e-mail:

The goal of the Task Force members is a clear one: They wish to increase the level of revenue produced by OTB corporations -- especially to local governments.

But Mahoney never directly answered this question, and I think it's an important one for the task force to address: "With a successful operation like Batavia Downs, why should the state intervene at all? Shouldn't we assume the current operators know what they're doing and don't need outside intervention?"

Making bigger government entities is no way to increase efficiency or improve profits for the communities that host these operations.

The allegation by critics of the task force is that this is an opening for a revenue grab by the state fueled by the failures of downstate racing and OTB operations. The task force's own meeting minutes are not terribly reassuring that there isn't some truth to that concern.