Batavia Downs

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs is proud to host the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) County Fair Series on Thursday (July 15) starting at 12:30 p.m. The program that is facilitated by the Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund features stops at tracks in 21 different counties throughout the state and culminates with finals for the top point-getters at Historic Track in Goshen on Sunday (Sept. 5).

"County Fair racing is where our young horses and many young horsemen and women get their start and can learn in a fun environment," said Kelly Young, executive director of the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund.

"We are so excited to add Genesee County racing at Batavia Downs to the schedule this year and provide another outstanding venue for New York-bred horses to compete on the County Fair circuit."

"County Fair is about more than ribbons and awards. Its about the experience and the people you share those experiences with. County fair is embracing the life skills and memories created while being part of the fair. Most importantly its about being a role model, giving back, and making the best better," added Amanda Gallo, president of the Genesee Agricultural Society. 

“It’s been a pleasure working with the Genesee County Fair Society and the New York Sire Stakes to make this happen,” said Todd Haight, director and general manager of live racing at Batavia Downs. “These races are not only beneficial for our local racing community, but also horseman and women throughout New York State.”

There will be 13 races on Thursday -- eight trots and five paces -- and all are non-betting events. Admission and parking are free at the track and race gates will open at noon with the track apron available for fans. Also, free full past performance programs are available for download a www.bataviadownsgaming.com. Everyone is encouraged to come out to the Downs and root on all the aspiring 2- and 3-year-olds. 

The Claude Huckabone III stable, who has 10 horses entered, leads the way for number of starters on the card. Local trainers competing include Doug Ackley, Ryan Swift, John Mungillo, Judy Blaun, Jim Graham, Tammy Cummings, Gerry Sarama, Robert Wittcop, Kirk Desmond and one of the perennial NYSS leading conditioners, Steve Pratt.

Many of the horses racing on this card have already started in other levels of the state sponsored series this year including the NYSS, Excel A and Excel B levels, so the racing promises to be very competitive. 

Three of the four County Fair 2-year-old champions from 2020 will be in action on Thursday as 3-year-olds and include trotting filly Flexible Credit (Credit Winner-Back On Track), trotting colt Ready For Workout (Whataworkout-Oven Ready) and pacing gelding Brave Element (Bolt The Duer-Necessary Element). 

The 72 entrants will compete for total purses of $30,250 and points, as they each try to make their way to the finals this fall.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel announced today that due to circumstances beyond their control, the concert on July 23 will no longer feature Skid Row. Batavia Downs hopes to welcome Skid Row to the summer concert series in the future.

On Friday, July 23^rd, 2021, Slaughter will perform at the Rockin’ The Downs Summer Concert Series.

The legendary rock 'n' roll band has been making music for three decades and is known for performing such hits as "Up All Night," "Fly to the Angels," and "The Wild Life."

Please note that tickets purchased for the Skid Row concert will still be honored on that date. Those wishing for a refund may do so through their point of purchase. Info can be found inside of your ticket confirmation email. Tickets purchased at the Lucky Treasures gift shop may be refunded during normal gift shop hours.

Tickets are available for Slaughter right now on BataviaConcerts.com

Batavia Downs Friday night summer concert series brought Steve Augeri (formerly of Journey) in town last evening.

Augeri and his band performed classics like “Open Arms,” “Stone in Love” and “Separate Ways” that highlighted some greatest hits in the '80s that are still played today.

Next Friday’s show features Molly Hatchet at Batavia Downs.

Photos by Steve Ognibene Photography.

Press release:

On June 24th, a ceremony was held in the lobby at Batavia Downs Gaming as Batavia Downs showcased their $2,300 sponsorship of the Genesee County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit. The money was left at Batavia Downs and was turned into the Sheriff’s office.

When the money went unclaimed, Batavia Downs decided to sponsor the Department’s K-9 Unit. The money will be used to help provide equipment for the unit, headed up by Officer Andrew Mullen and K-9 Frankie.

“We’re happy to help contribute to Genesee County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit,” said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs. “It’s important for our Sheriff to have the resources they need to keep our community safe.”

“We appreciate the support from Batavia Downs," said Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron Jr. “These funds will be put towards K-9 related expenses like food, training and equipment.”

Photo by Howard Owens.

Nineteen million, seven hundred thousand.

That’s the amount in dollars that was bet at Batavia Downs Gaming during the week of June 13-19, a record for the Park Road entertainment center.

Batavia Downs Gaming Marketing Director Ryan Hasenauer reported that figure to Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp.’s directors, who gathered this morning for their monthly board meeting.

WROTB President/CEO Henry Wojtaszek, when asked if it was safe to say that the gaming industry has bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic, simply replied, “Yes. That’s the most money that has been bet on the machines in our history in one week -- $19.7 million.”

Wojtaszek also commented on the Rockin’ The Downs Summer Concert Series, that moves into its third week tomorrow night.

“We’re off to a great start for the Summer Concert Series,” he said. “The first two concerts went well and we’ve sold a lot of tickets for Steve Augeri (formerly of Journey) on Friday night."

In other developments:

• Batavia Bets, WROTB’s interactive online platform, handled almost $2.2 million in May, up more than $1 million (97 percent) from 2020.

Through June 20, handle was $1.2 million – down $79,000 (6 percent) from 2020, but the year-to-date handle of $9 million is up almost $2.9 million (47 percent) from 2020.

Wojtaszek attributes the increase to patrons who turned to horse racing wagering during the pandemic and have found it a favorable pastime.

“It (COVID-19) did cause a lot of people to take a look at horse racing because that really was the only activity available to them at the time,” he said. “But, I think what they’ve seen, they liked because they continue to utilize that service. We have a great rewards rebate program that seems to be working well.”

Additionally, it was reported that $121,737 in surcharge generated in May will be distributed to the corporation's municipalities. 

• Batavia Downs Gaming will be hiring two full-time customer relations managers to “try to take our customer service up a notch,” Wojtaszek said.

“We want to make sure all of the different facets of the operation are coordinated properly and that our customers are looked after, so we’re trying to take it up a notch,” he said, adding that two current employees may be promoted although the positions will go through the Human Relations department.”

• Several resolutions were passed, including three pertaining to legal representation – a $200,000 contract with Harris Beach, $100,000 contract with Hodgson Russ and $5,000 contract with Connors LLP.

Others measures approved were a contract with Canal Concerts Inc., for $3,500 per concert (not to exceed $35,000) to provide setup and oversight services during the 2021 Concert Series, and the purchase of a block of eight tickets with parking in an amount not to exceed $25,200 from Live Nation Marketing Inc., for the 2021 concert series at Darien Lake.

Photo at top: Ryan Hasenauer, Batavia Downs Gaming marketing director, stands next to the Zoom Ball game the facility will be promoting next month. Hasenauer said that during the five Saturdays in July, two customers will be called at random each hour over a four-hour period (7 to 10 p.m.) to play the game. Upon pressing the big red button, the balls -- gold, red, white and blue -- will be blown around and sucked into the "win zone" at the top of the machine. If the player gets all six gold balls in the chute, he or she will win $50,000. Prizes decrease from there -- $10,000 for five, $1,000 for four, $250 and $250 free play for three, $150 and $250 free play for two, $100 and $250 free play for one, and $250 free play even if none of the balls at the top are gold. Ten of the balls in the machine are colored gold. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

In what is being called a "good faith" gesture initiated by Genesee County's representative to the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., the public benefit corporation's board of directors this morning voted to approve host agreements with the Batavia City School District, Genesee County and Town of Batavia to provide payments totaling more than $200,000 over the next four years.

These payments are being made to the taxing jurisdictions in light of Batavia Downs Gaming's recent purchase of the Hotel at Batavia Downs from ADK Hospitality of Buffalo, thus taking the property off of the tax rolls and negating a 10-year payment in lieu of taxes agreement the entities had with the previous hotel owners.

The breakdown of the payments, which add up to $212,508, reveals that the school district will receive $27,000 for 2021, and the school district, county and town will receive a total of $46,377 for 2022 through 2025. Dissecting the latter amount further, the school district will get approximately $27,000, the county approximately $13,000 and the town approximately $7,000.

"Dick Siebert," replied WROTB President/CEO Henry Wojtaszek when asked what prompted the board to propose allocating money to three taxing jurisdictions affected by Batavia Downs Gaming activities. "Mr. Siebert addressed the board and asked them to consider this because he indicated to everybody that we have great relationships with them -- which we do -- and thought it would be a good faith effort to go ahead and do this. It was something that they had counted on because they had a PILOT in place with the former owners of the hotel."

Wojtaszek said the funding covers the amount of the PILOT that would have been in place.

Siebert, a longtime WROTB director and Genesee County election commissioner, said passage of this resolution is "more about the spirit of what we're doing than the actual dollar amount."

"It's not a great deal of money, but it shows than even though we are tax exempt ... it shows our good faith," he said, adding that the county, school district and town have supported the corporation's efforts.

He asked Wojtaszek to formally inform the school superintendent, county manager and town supervisor.

The Rockin' The Downs concert series opened Friday evening with a performance by the Queen tribute band, Almost Queen.

Photos by Philip Casper.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel announced today that due to circumstances beyond their control, the concert on June 18 will not feature Vince Neil. Batavia Downs hopes to welcome Neil in concert next summer.

On June 18^th, Mark Farner’s American Band will perform at the Rockin’ The Downs Summer Concert Series.

Legendary all-American frontman and guitarist Farner was the engine that pulled his band down the tracks to the top of the charts. Known for performing such hits as "I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home),” “We’re An American Band,” a recut of “The Loco-Motion,” and “Some Kind of Wonderful," Farner has been delighting audiences for more than 40 years.

Please note that tickets purchased for the Vince Neil concert will still be honored on June 18. Those wishing for a refund may do so through their point of purchase. Info can be found inside of your ticket confirmation email. Tickets purchased at the Lucky Treasures gift shop may be refunded during normal gift shop hours.

Tickets are available for Mark Farner’s American Band right now on BataviaConcerts.com

No COVID-19 testing and no masks.

Western New York Off-Track Betting Corp. President Henry Wojtaszek this morning confirmed that, as of now, people heading to Batavia Downs Gaming for its summer concert series performances will not be subject to testing for the coronavirus and will not be required to have face coverings.

“Like many of the other facilities across New York State, it’s not a requirement anymore,” Wojtaszek said following the corporation’s directors meeting at the Park Road facility. “Originally, we were going to have a company in the parking lot test them a few hours prior to the concert series.”

Wojtaszek said that attendees will be required to follow the rules and Centers for Disease Control guidelines that are in place at the time.

“We anticipate those outdoor concerts will not require masks, but certainly we will take other steps to make sure we have a safe, clean, friendly environment for our patrons,” he said.

The Rockin’ The Downs concert series kicks off on June 11 with the Almost Queen tribute band and continues for 11 consecutive Friday nights. Other acts include Vince Neil, Molly Hatcher, Don Felder, Tommy James and the Shondells, The Grass Roots, Queensrÿche, and Spin Doctors.

A special Sunday concert has been added to the lineup. On July 18, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform with Strictly Hip, a Tragically Hip tribute band. The concert starts at 6 p.m.; doors will open at 5 p.m.

Currently, maximum attendance is set at 2,500, but Wojtaszek said he hopes for a “bit of an increase,” possibly to 3,000 per concert.

According to a press release issued today, all pairs of seats at the concerts will be spaced six feet apart in accordance with CDC regulations. 

Furthermore, those who have not been vaccinated, including minors attending the concerts, are encouraged to wear a mask while indoors but can take off their mask once outside.

Those attending the concerts will still be required to enter through metal detectors. Some items including weapons, laser pointers and outside food and beverage are not permitted. For a complete list of banned items please visit: https://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/events/concerts/

If rules or regulations regarding testing or vaccinations within New York State change, then Batavia Downs will adapt to any such modifications.

In other developments:

• Wojtaszek said he is keeping an eye on a request for proposal by the New York State Gaming Commission to vendors in the sports betting industry (such as Draft Kings) in anticipation of offering sports betting at Batavia Downs Gaming.

“Legislation that was passed this year and we expect the RFP to go out sometime in mid-June. It will start to come into focus as to how they’re going to implement the sports betting program in New York,” he said.

He advised that the plan is for various OTBs to work together “to try to see if we can have a role in the sports betting industry.”

• Wojtaszek said he also is “paying attention” to the status of an early retirement law for New York counties outside of New York City, noting that it would affect five to 10 employees of Batavia Downs Gaming.

“They (state lawmakers) passed an early retirement for New York City but they haven’t passed one for the rest of the state yet,” he said. “So, that’s what were following and waiting to see just how they act upon it during the last two weeks of the (legislative) session.”

• The corporation’s marketing department is stepping up efforts to revive business at The Hotel at Batavia Downs, which was significantly hampered by COVID-19, Wojtaszek said.

WROTB purchased the hotel from ADK Hospitality LLC, for $7.5 million and has contracted with Hart Hotels to manage the facility through Dec. 31, 2023 at a monthly fee not to exceed $7,000.

“It’s starting to really pick up and we expect it to get back to pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year, acknowledging more than a 50-percent increase in business,” he said.

• Chief Financial Officer Jacquelyne Leach reported that $84,349 will be distributed to the affiliated municipalities in surcharge revenue for April, with earnings for the month at $270,486.

She called the monetary totals “a good start to the second quarter,” attributing much of it to the start of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.

• Director of Branch Operations Sean Schiano reported that through May 23, EZ Bets handled $3.1 million – up more than $1.7 million from the same point in 2020.

Batavia Bets, the track’s interactive online wagering platform, handled $1.6 million in April, an increase of $807,000 from last year. Through May 23, handle for this month was at $1.775 million – up $981,000, and year to date handle is $7.8 million – up $3.3 million from last year.

• The board approved renewing its insurance contract, primarily through Travelers, for another year – realizing a $35,000 savings. The yearly premium is around $1.1 million.

• The board passed three resolutions – a $27,159 contract with Audio Images Sound & Lighting of Batavia for a stage lighting package for the summer concert series; a $166,040 contract with Mark-It-Smart Inc., for promotional items to be given to patrons, and a one-year $287,793 contract with Roberts Communications Network for simulcast reception services at WROTB’s various locations.

• Directors bid farewell to Ronald Darrow, Oswego County representative, who resigned after serving 11 years on the board.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The 2021 Batavia Downs meet is only two months away and the excitement of getting back to normal racing at the oldest lighted harness track in America can be felt throughout the facility.

“Having a new meet start just on its own is reason enough for optimism. But with COVID numbers dropping to new lows in New York and yearlong restrictions now being lifted, everyone at Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel is very much looking forward to the third week of July,” said Todd Haight, GM/director of Live Racing at Batavia Downs.

“There is so much going on at the track these days it’s hard to keep up and being able to welcome all our loyal customers back to the track leaves us with a very high level of anticipation for the season to begin.”

The 2021 Batavia Downs meet kicks off on Wednesday (July 21) at 6 p.m. and runs for 59 dates, ending on Saturday (Dec. 11).

In July and August racing will take place on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. (except opening night), Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 1:15 p.m. Then in September, October and November the schedule shifts to Wednesday, Friday (except Nov. 19 & 26), Saturday with all post times at 5 p.m. December cuts back to just Wednesday and Saturday and both will go to post at 5 p.m.

There are two special matinee cards on Monday (Sept. 6) at 1:15 p.m., which is Labor Day, and Saturday (Nov. 6) at 3:15 p.m., which is Breeders Cup Day.

The stake schedule is enhanced from last year as the New York Sire Stakes will visit the Downs three times during the summer, bringing four of the eight divisions with them. On Wednesday (July 21), which is opening night, the NYSS 2-year-old trotting fillies will be in town. One week later on Wednesday (July 28) the Downs will host an all-stake double-header as 3-year-old pacers of both genders will be on hand. And then on Sunday (Aug. 4) the 2-year-old male trotters will close out the NYSS schedule.

The Excelsior A and B divisions will also be on hand for all the NYSS dates.

Batavia Downs also offers online wagering with bataviabets.com. Opening an account with bataviabets.com allows patrons to wager on all Batavia Downs races as well as every other harness and thoroughbred track racing each day. Plus they can also enjoy some of the top rewards nationwide for joining.

New customers who sign up will receive a $25 bonus after betting their first $100 through the service. Then customers who bet $2,000 or more (based on monthly play) will receive an 8-percent bonus added back to their account. And customers who wager between $500 and $1,999 (based on monthly play) will receive a 5-percent added bonus. Anyone 18 and over can easily open an account online and then bet from their phone, anytime and anywhere.

Batavia Downs Gaming has also brought back the “Rockin' the Downs” concert series and this year it’s bigger and better than ever. There will be a total of 12 Friday night concerts that will be held during June (starting June 11), July and August and include national acts like Vince Neal, Don Felder, Queensrÿche and Molly Hatchet. A complete list of bands, ticket details, dates and times can be found at www.bataviadownsgaming.com.

Press release:

Officials from Batavia Downs today announced they will be partnering with the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments to host a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Friday, May 14^th from 3-7 p.m. on-site at the Park Place Events Center.

The clinic will accept walk-ins and will be offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires a single dose to be administered ("One and done."). The FREE vaccination clinic will be open to the public, and no appointment will be necessary.

As an incentive to help promote participation, Batavia Downs will give all persons who get vaccinated at the clinic $20 in free food and drink. Those who get vaccinated will receive a voucher that will be redeemable anytime at Player’s Club for one week.

Each person who receives a vaccine at the clinic will also receive two entries into a drawing for a pair of Front Row tickets to all 12 Rockin’ The Downs Summer Concerts in the Premium Section. The Season Pass worth of tickets are valued at more than $1,500.

“In order to put the threat of COVID-19 behind us, we need to get as many people vaccinated as possible,” said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs. “For more than a year, we’ve tried to take a creative approach to dealing with COVID. Our Health and Safety Plan has been implemented since our reopening in September.

"We’ve employed innovative strategies to protect our employees and customers. We are proud to be taking the lead when it comes to the ‘new normal’ in our industry. We hope to see long lines on Friday and are excited to help get more shots in more arms. Getting vaccinated will help us & our region get back to normal, allow for local businesses to welcome back more customers and get our economy moving again.”

“We are grateful to Batavia Downs for not only providing a space for this vaccination clinic to take place, but also for helping incentivize those who are looking to get vaccinated,” said David E. Bell, emergency preparedness coordinator for GO Health Departments.

State Senator Ed Rath said, "I commend Batavia Downs and Western OTB for putting together this vaccine clinic for the public. Working to assure that our residents can easily access these crucial vaccines, right in their own backyard is critical. I appreciate the work they are doing to assure that everyone who wants a vaccine is able to receive one.”

By Tim Bojarski, for Western OTB/Batavia Downs​:

While it wasn’t quite as big as winning the lottery, there were smiles galore at the Western Regional Off-Track Betting (WROTB) branch locations and Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel after last Saturday’s (May 1) Run for the Roses.

As has been the case so often since 1974 when the public benefit corporation began accepting Derby wagers, WROTB patrons crushed it at the windows, winning over $1.4 million dollars. Based on total handle from all WROTB simulcast locations including Batavia Bets.com (the corporation’s online wagering platform), that number reflects the amount of money paid out to bettors was 9 percent higher than the national average. 

Three customers ended up being OTB’s biggest winners when they each cashed for $18,912 after all three wagered $48 on a $2 Superfecta box ticket on the winning combination of 7-8-9-14. Two other patrons wagered just one dollar and hit the Superfecta in exact order of 8-7-9-14 and won $9,456. 

WROTB President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek said “It was a thrilling horse race and I’m happy so many of our customers were winners. We thank everyone who bet through a WROTB outlet for their patronage on racing’s biggest day.”

Todd Haight, director/GM of Live Racing at Batavia Downs added “I think we did a good job getting the word out that Medina Spirit was a major player in this year’s race. We also gave several reasons to wager against heavy Derby favorite Essential Quality and it appears several of our customers took that advice.”

It also appeared that those who came to bet in person heeded the advice about masks and social distancing as all locations reported business going off without a hitch. 

“We appreciate everyone following COVID protocols and working with our staff to make the Derby as successful as it was,” Director of WROTB Branch Operations Sean Schiano said. 

Schiano added that preparations are well underway at Western Regional Off-Track Betting for the second jewel of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, the 146th Preakness Stakes, to be run next Saturday (May 15) at historic Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Md.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel is pleased to announce the following additions to the upcoming Rockin’ the Downs Summer Concert Series.

Now kicking off the series on Friday June 11^th is Almost Queen. The Ultimate Queen Tribute show delivers a live performance, showcasing signature four part harmonies and intricate musical interludes. Donning genuine costumes, Almost Queen recaptures the live energy and precision that is the Queen experience.

Closing the Summer Concert Series now on Aug. 27th will be American rock band The Spin Doctors, who will be making their Batavia Downs debut. Forming in the late '80s, this band went on to commercial success with chart topping hits like "Two Princes" and "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" from their smash hit album "Pocket Full of Kryptonite."

These two concerts are being put on in conjunction with Buffalo-based twenty6 Productions. 

“We are excited to begin working with Batavia Downs," said CEO and Founder of twenty6 Productions, Josh Holtzman. “We know people have been waiting for the return of live events and we’re looking forward to putting on great shows at Batavia Downs while adhering to all the safety measures instituted by New York State.”

As per guidance from New York State, capacity for all concerts at this time will be 2,500 ticket holders but more tickets will be added if capacity increases. All concertgoers MUST show proof of:

• A negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of show time;

OR

• A negative Antigen COVID-19 test within six hours of show time;

OR

• Must show proof of completed immunization (14 days since final vaccination prior to event date).

There will be a Rapid Antigen test site in the parking lot the day of the concerts in order to allow ticket holders to get a rapid test on event dates. For concertgoers age 21+ with tickets each test costs $34.95. (For any New Yorker age 18 and up without a concert ticket, the rapid test costs $65.)

It his highly recommended that concertgoers get a vaccine or test prior to concert date in order to avoid any wait times on the day of the show. Concertgoers are responsible for scheduling and paying for any tests.

As per New York State Regulations, pairs of seats will be 6 feet apart and masks must be worn unless a person is seated and eating or drinking.

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 29^th, tickets for all concerts already announced will be available at www.BataviaConcerts.com. Tickets will be available for purchase at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop located in the lobby ONLY on concert days if any tickets remain unsold on concert date.

Due to limited capacity, concert attendees MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. A limit of four tickets purchased per person will be enforced.

If between now and the concert date the regulations change, then Batavia Downs will adopt any modifications. Ticket holders are encouraged to visit www.bataviadownsgaming.com or their social media pages to stay up to date on any new information.

Officials at Batavia Downs Gaming today announced that as a public service to the residents of the Genesee Valley, Rapha Family Medicine of Buffalo will be conducting a drive-thru COVID-19 Rapid Testing Site in the Batavia Downs Main parking lot. Cost is $65 per test.

Drive-thru testing will be available Mondays – Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. beginning on Monday, May 3^rd.

All monies for the test will go to Rapha Family Medicine. Batavia Downs does not receive a portion of the testing fee, nor does it get a fee from Rapha for the right to set up in the parking lot.

The Rapha Team uses a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test, which is quick and minimally invasive. Results are returned within minutes of taking the test.

“We are pleased to have the professionals from Rapha Family Medicine on site," said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs. “Those residing here in the Genesee Valley who are in need of a rapid test will have a convenient, efficient and professional option right in their backyard.”

For more information on testing, interested persons can call (716) 462 4612 or visit raphafamilymedicine.com/testing.

“We are looking forward to seeing and serving the people of the Genesee Valley," said Rapha Family Medicine spokesperson, Greg MacKinnon. “We currently conduct three other rapid testing sites in Buffalo and Niagara Falls and have tested over 5,000 persons in the last few months. We’re grateful to Batavia Downs for providing a place in the community for people to get tested.”

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Batavia Downs’ concert days, Rapha Family Medicine will be onsite for any ticket holders who are not yet vaccinated to receive a test for entry to the concert. The price on Concert Fridays for ticket holders will be $34.95.

The lineup for this summer’s Rockin’ the Downs concert series at Batavia Downs Gaming is nearly complete, the facility’s director of marketing reported this morning following the monthly meeting of the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp.’s Board of Directors.

Ryan Hasenauer said that 11 of the 12 musical artists have been confirmed and the 12^th, which will perform on June 18, is expected to sign on by May 1.

The Friday night series will commence on June 11 with Almost Queen, a Queen tribute band, and conclude on Aug. 27 with Spin Doctors.

“We’re working on tier ticket pricing as some concerts will be priced higher than others, and tickets will go on sale next Thursday,” Hasenauer said.

Other concert series is follows:

June 11 -- Almost Queen (Queen tribute band);

June 18 -- TBA;

June 25 -- Steve Augeri (formerly of Journey);

July 2 -- Molly Hatchet;

July 9 -- Don Felder (formerly of The Eagles);

July 16 -- Tommy James and the Shondells;

July 23 -- Skid Row;

July 30 -- The Grass Roots;

Aug. 6 -- The Machine (Pink Floyd tribute);

Aug. 13 -- Queensryche;

Aug. 20 -- Puddle of Mudd;

Aug. 27 -- Spin Doctors.

In other developments from today’s meeting:

• Chief Financial Officer Jacquelyne Leach reported that WROTB will distribute $80,241 in surcharge revenues to member municipalities for March and $174,752 in operational earnings to the municipalities for the first quarter of 2021.

• Director of Branch Operations Sean Schiano revealed that Batavia Bets, the corporation’s interactive online betting platform, has bounced back significantly when compared to previous months and years.

Batavia Bets’ handle was $1.5 million in March and is more than $1 million thus far in April – increases of more than 60 percent from the previous year. Year to date, the handle is $5.4 million, up more than $2 million compared to the same time period in 2020.

• Directors formally approved the purchase of The Hotel at Batavia Downs from ADK Hospitality LLC, for $7.5 million as well as a contract with Hart Hotels to manage the facility through Dec. 31, 2023 at a monthly fee not to exceed $7,000.

• Directors voted in favor of a resolution to spend up to $40,000 with Hanson Aggregates for materials needed to resurface the harness horse racing track and re-bank the turns.

Todd Haight, director/general manager of live racing, said approximately 1,500 tons of stone dust and racetrack mix will be spread on the track to alleviate problems caused by weather-induced erosion.

He also said he is in the process of finalizing live racing dates for this year.

• President/CEO Henry Wojtaszek said 10 more machines have been added to the gaming floor, increasing the number of “live” machines to about 500. Batavia Downs Gaming has close to 900 machines but some are not in use due to current COVID-19 restrictions.

The wall of the board room at Batavia Downs Gaming includes two reproductions of programs from days gone by. This one depicts the official program from Nov. 16, 1957. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Press release:

Officials at Batavia Downs Gaming today (April 7) announced that they will be conducting an in-person job fair inside the Park Place Room this afternoon from 2-6 p.m.

Batavia Downs is looking for servers, dining hosts, cooks, bussers, bartenders, dishwashers, Player’s Club and gaming hosts, event staff, live racing staff, environmental services staff and security staff. Representatives from each department will be on hand to talk to interested applicants.

No experience is necessary for some positions. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Batavia Downs has full- and part-time positions available with benefits.

Human Resources staff will be on hand to answer any questions. If you are unable to attend, resumes can be sent to HR@westernotb.com.