Photo of Dougadougadew courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Even though it was getaway day at Batavia Downs as the curtain came down on the 2024 summer/fall meeting on Saturday (Dec. 7) night, the competition was fast and furious during a card that saw drivers Kevin Cummings and Dave McNeight III win five races each while trainer Sam Smith sent four from his stable to the winner’s enclosure on a night he was awarded as top conditioner of the meet.
Cummings winners included Runrunjimmydunn N (1:55.2, $6.30), Out On Bail (1:55.2, $3.50), Johnny Boy (1:58.1, $14.00) and Famous Dan (1:58.3, $3.20), all of which were trained by Smith, and Crystal Beach (1:57.4, $48.20).
McNeight’s successful contingent was made up of Our Night Fury (1:59.2, $6.70), Skyline Blue Chip (1:58.3, $3.20), Mach Le More A (1:56.2, $36.20) who will be covered more later, Shipsaway (1:57, $2.50) and Mason Street (1:59.2, $12.60).
There were co-featured $14,000 races on the closing card and the trot was won by another award winner.
After going 0 for 8 last year in a less than memorable season, Dougadougadew did a complete 180 and capped-off 2024 with his 12th win of the year while matching his career best time in the Open Handicap trot on the night when he was named the Trotter of the Meet at Batavia Downs.
In a very typical start for the chestnut trotter, Dougadougadew (Kyle Cummings) got away last by 10 lengths as El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) parked out the visiting Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) in fast fractions of :28.1 and :57 through the cold, blustery night. As the race headed onto the second circuit, Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) made a first-over move and Dougadougadew was happy to take the cover, one out and one back.
As the race headed towards three-quarters, Big Box Hanover succumbed to the overland grind, forcing Biscoe and Dougadougadew three-wide into the final bend. Biscoe crossed over and Dougadougadew drew alongside and the final furlong became a match race. Biscoe was maintaining his lead, but Dougadougadew kept digging and getting closer with every stride and four pylons from the line, Dougadougadew edged ahead and won by a neck in 1:57.1, tying his lifetime mark.
Dougadougadew ($7.80) made it an even dozen victories and pushed his seasonal bankroll to $85,877 for owners Doug and Tyra Ackley and trainer Tammy Cummings.
Then in the Open Handicap pace, Mach Le More A upset the field in a blanket finish at 17-1.
Mach Le More A (Dave McNeight III) got away sixth as Virgil N (Mike Baumeister) got the field to the half in a tepid :58.4. Bet On Blake (Kevin Cummings) moved into second from a first-over move in turn three while Mach Le More A drafted, fourth on the outside. Positions remained unchanged to three-quarters and Virgil N even started to pull away from the group in the last turn. But Mach Le More A, who was still fourth and three lengths from the leader, had different ideas as he tipped to the middle of the track and mowed down the competition at the wire where he won by a head in 1:56.2 in a photo that saw a mere length separate the top six finishers.
It was the second straight win and ninth of the season for Mach Le More A ($36.20) who pushed his earnings to $91,580 this year for owner Marissa Russo and Fac Racing. Dave Russo does the training.
The $10,000 guaranteed Jackpot Hi-5 pool with an end of season must-pay in the 15th race produced an outstanding payoff to those who caught the number. The 9-1-3-5-2 combination returned $2,120,20 for a 20-cent wager.
As alluded to earlier in this report, meet ending awards were presented by the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs during their Night of Distinction ceremony. Longtime Batavia blacksmith Ray Cable received a Lifetime Achievement Award, Drew Monti and Sam Smith were named driver and trainer of the meet, Dougadougadew was trotter of the meet and Won Surreal Deal was pacer of the meet. All awards were presented trackside to the respective recipients and their connections.
Although the 2024 meet has ended, the track won’t be dark for long as live racing returns to Batavia Downs on Monday (Jan. 6) for the start of the 15-day 2025 winter meet. Racing will be held every Monday and Thursday through Monday (Feb. 24) with all cards having a 3 p.m. post.
Photo of Mach Le More A courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
The Jackpot Super Hi-5 at Batavia Downs has not been hit in several days and as a result, the carryover has grown to $4,723 after Wednesday’s action. With the meet coming to an end on Saturday (Dec. 7), this must be paid out and the track has guaranteed that pool at $10,000 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program.
As part of the program, Trackmaster is offering free full past performance program pages on the USTA website that can be found under the Handicapping link at the top of the page.
The Jackpot Super Hi-5 at Batavia Downs is a 20-cent minimum wager in the 15th race on Saturday with an estimated post time of 10:40 p.m. Post time for the first race is at 6 p.m.
And as always, free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Thurman Thomas is hosting a tailgate party in the 34 Rush Bar on Sunday for the Buffalo Bills at the Los Angeles Rams game.
The tailgate party starts at 4:15 p.m.
Thomas will be at the party and and available for pictures with fans at halftime.
Fans can enter to win prizes at the Players Club start 4 p.m. Prizes in clude Bills gear from Bud Light and club-level tickets for the final two home ages.
Photo of Dougadougadew courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs have announced the horses of the meet at The Downs, whose meet will conclude on Saturday (Dec. 7).
Dougadougadew (Deweycheatumnhowe-Fashionablefilly) has been named trotter of the meet while Won Surreal Deal (So Surreal-Won Ideal Night) has been named pacer of the meet.
Dougadougadew is the highest earning horse at Batavia this meet regardless of gait with $51,315 in earnings and is also the winningest trotter on the grounds with seven victories. He started the meet in lower level conditioned races and worked his way to the top, winning his first of three Open class trots on September 7. For the meet, Dougadougadew has made 17 starts with seven wins, three seconds and one third that give him a 41% win rate while finishing 65% of the time in the money. He also took a lifetime mark of 1:57.1 at The Downs on November 2 to cap off a career year.
Dougadougadew races from off the pace and his three and four wide three-quarter moves have provided a number of exciting finishes over the course of the meet. He is trained by Tammy Cummings and driven by Kyle Cummings for owners Doug and Tyra Ackley.
Won Surreal Deal is the highest earning pacer at this meet, banking $43,750 off of her six wins and four thirds registered from her 14 total starts. She is an upper-level mare who has won three Open paces for distaff participants while hitting the board in that elite class five other times. Her most impressive victory came early on August 13, when she bolted away to a seven length victory in 1:53.4. But the consistent side-wheeler remained a horse to beat through the entire meet as she finished her campaign winning four of her last six starts at Batavia.
Won Surreal Deal has a stellar win rate of 43% and has been in the money 71% of the time for trainer Jeff Sorenson and driver Kyle Cummings, who steered her in 13 of her 14 Batavia starts for owner Parsimonious Racing Stable.
The connections of Dougadougadew and Won Surreal Deal will be presented their awards trackside during the UNY-USHWA Night of Distinction that will be held at Batavia Downs on closing night, Saturday (Dec. 7).
Photo of Won Surreal Deal courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association is proud to announce that longtime Batavia blacksmith, Ray Cable, will be given their 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for his over 60-years of work and dedication to the horses who raced at Batavia Downs.
Cable was born on March 12, 1945 in Effingham, Illinois and followed his father Phillip’s footsteps into the farrier business. He started shoeing at age 12 as an apprentice with his father, who shod horses at race tracks on the Grand Circuit along with many county fairs across the country from their mobile truck shop before coming to Batavia to set up permanently in 1960. Since then, Cable has run his blacksmith shop on the grounds of Batavia Downs ever since.
Cable has shod thousands of horses over the years and from every class ranging from the bottom claimers to the top competing in the Open, from the barns of trainers across the U.S. as well as Canada. Cable has shod some of the best in the business including the locally owned Bay’s Fella (1:51.1, $805,234) who won the $273,458 Breeders Crown Open Pace in 1990.
Ray Cable is one of four brothers that included Chuck, Phillip and Leon, who all became outstanding farriers. Ray’s son, Ray Jr. is also an accomplished farrier and his grandsons Kelly and Chris, who are now both shoeing as well, make up the fourth generation of “Cable shoers”.
Ray Cable will be presented his award trackside during the UNY-USHWA Night of Distinction that will be held at Batavia Downs on the closing night of the meet, Saturday, December 7.
Submitted photos from Cable Shoers Facebook.
Photo of (from left to right) Ray Cable Jr., Ray Cable, Kelly Cable, and Chris Cable.
Photo of Won Surreal Deal courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
The final $13,000 fillies and mares Open Handicap pace of the year was featured at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Dec. 4) night and Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) laid claim to the victory despite dealing with a steady snowfall.
Won Surreal Deal got away fourth as It’s Corona Time (Joe Chindano Jr.) marched to the half in :57.2. It was there that Scenic Adventure (Kevin Cummings) pulled first-over into the breeze and Won Surreal Deal followed behind, one out and one back. Scenic Adventure continued to gain ground to three-quarters where she took the lead from It’s Corona Time, while Won Surreal Deal kept getting closer around the last turn. When they entered the stretch, Won Surreal Deal hooked up with Scenic Adventure and the two mares battled to the wire where Won Surreal Deal got the advantage and won by a neck in 1:56.2.
It was the eighth win of the year for Won Surreal Deal ($5.30) who is owned by Parsimonious Racing Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson.
Joe Chindano Jr. was the top driver on Wednesday after he scored a grand slam in the bike, including a natural hat trick in races four, five and six. Chindano won with Shooting Brooke (1:55.2, $2.60), Miss Rockadali (1:58.4, $6.30), Jacked (1:58.3, $2.50) and Spirit Of Success (2:02, $7.70).
In the night’s 11th race,14-year-old Knocking Around (1:59.3, $2.60) won the 60th race of his illustrious 12-year career for driver Dave McNeight III. Owned by Courtney McNeight and trained by Dave McNeight Jr., Knocking around has made 394 lifetime starts with now 60 wins, 48 seconds and 69 thirds and has earned $668,693 due to his stellar work.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 7), which is closing night for 2024, with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $4,723 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race. And since this is the last night of racing for 2024 and the Jackpot Super Hi-5 will be a must-pay to end the season, the pool will also be guaranteed at $10,000 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Batavia Downs will return after the Holidays on Monday (Jan. 6) for the start of the 15-day 2025 winter meet. Racing will be held every Monday and Thursday through Monday (Feb. 24) with all cards having a 3 p.m. post.
The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs have announced that Drew Monti and Sam Smith are the top driver and trainer for the summer/fall race meet at the Genesee County oval whose season will conclude on Saturday (Dec. 7).
Monti entered the final week of racing at Batavia with an insurmountable lead in the dash driving race with 117 wins, 19 ahead of Joe Chindano Jr. (98) and 24 ahead of Kevin Cummings (93). He also has had 86 seconds and 79 thirds from 562 starts that gives him a .340 UDR, the highest among all drivers at the current meet who have started 150 times or more. And those starts have earned the horses he has driven $790,221 in purses with two race days left in the meet.
Monti also hit two career milestones during the Batavia meet. He scored his 2,500th win and surpassed $20 million in lifetime earnings.
While he also drives full time at Plainridge Park, Monti has posted one of the best overall years of his career to date. After 1,606 starts he has won a total of 235 races with 234 seconds and 196 thirds with $2,211,936 in purses, a total which by the end of the meet will be his third highest haul ever.
This is the third driving title Monti has won at Batavia Downs after taking it in 2016 and 2018.
Photo of Sam Smith courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Similarly, Smith came into the last two days of racing well in front of his competition after already having posted 67 wins, which is 24 ahead of Chris Petrelli (43) and 40 ahead of Shawn McDonough (27) and Maria Rice (27). Smith also had 42 seconds and 53 thirds giving him a .302 UTR and $469,988 in purses.
For all of 2024 including starts at other tracks, Smith has put up career numbers across the board. His horses have made 803 starts with 151 wins, 118 seconds and 115 thirds, giving him a UTR of .317 and earnings of $1,158,721. It’s the single best year in Smith’s training tenure.
This is the second consecutive training title for Smith at Batavia Downs.
Drew Monti and Sam Smith will be presented their awards trackside during the UNY-USHWA Night of Distinction that will be held at Batavia Downs on closing night, Saturday (Dec. 7).
Winter hit Batavia Downs hard on Saturday (Nov. 30) night and a spate of scratches due to weather related transportation issues shortened many of the fields. But the horses that did show up went dashing through the snow and that included the winners of the night’s two feature races.
The $14,000 Open Handicap pace went to post first and Melanion N made it two straight wins with another impressive outing.
Melanion N (Drew Monti) wrestled the lead from Mirragon N (Shawn McDonough) at the :27.2 quarter and then settled on the point in the turn to lead the abbreviated five-horse field to the half in :56.4. Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.) moved first-over at that point, drew near the leader at three-quarters and then stayed close around turn four. But when they straightened for home, the race was over quickly as Melanion N swelled up and bolted for the line on top by 5-½ to win in 1:53.3.
It was the fifth win of the year for Melanion N ($3.30) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Dr. Michael Miller. The winner was trained by Maria Rice who also won with Lip Reader A (1:57.1, $8.20) earlier in the card.
Melanion N was one of four winners driven by Monti on Saturday whose grand slam included a natural hat trick in races six, seven and eight. Monti’s other winners were Mayweather Hanover (1:58.2, $22.40), Lip Reader A and U Bake The Cake (2:00.1, $7.90).
The $14,000 Open Handicap trot was u p next and Bisco tripped out to a late victory.
Mucho Macho (Joe Chindano Jr.) commanded the early fractions of :29 and :59.1 while Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) sat in the garden spot. At the half, El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) and Dougadougadew (Kyle Cummings) advanced one-two in the breeze with El Toro Loco eventually taking the lead at three-quarters, Dougadougadew moving into second and Biscoe getting briefly shuffled to fifth before shaking loose and moving quickly into third.
Around the last turn, El Toro Loco and Dougadougadew were trading leads while Bisco was sneaking closer with every stride. When the straightened for home, Dougadougadew took the lead from El Toro Loco, but Biscoe came flying down the center of the track and collared Dougadougadew in the shadow of the wire to win in 1:57.4.
It was the eighth victory of the year for Biscoe ($6.60) who is owned by his driver McNeight Jr. and trained by Jim McNeight.
Driver Dave McNeight III also had a grand slam on Saturday, winning with Starlitcresentroll (1:57.4, $7.10), Pepper Guy (1:58.1, $29.40), Mach Le More A (1:56, $3.10) and Skyline Blue Chip (1:56.3, $13.80).
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Dec. 4) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $1,149 in the Pick-5 in the first race and a carryover of $4,138 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
There are only two nights of live racing left in the 2024 meet: Wednesday (Dec. 4) and Saturday (Dec. 7). However Batavia Downs will return after the Holidays on Monday (Jan. 6) for the start of the 15-day 2025 winter meet. Racing will be held every Monday and Thursday through Monday (Feb. 24) with all cards having a 3 p.m. post.
Photo of Oaxacan Dream N courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Despite not finishing worse than second in her last four starts, Oaxacan Dream N was overlooked by the betting public and sent off at 20-1. That turned out to be a mistake as the 8-year-old mare turned in a winning effort in the $12,000 conditioned pacing feature for fillies and mares on Wednesday (November 27) night.
Dave McNeight III sent Oaxacan Dream N to the front from post seven and settled on the lead heading towards the quarter. But before they got to that station, Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) came from second to claim that mantle and headed into turn two on top by a length. Positions remained unchanged as the leader paced to the half in :57.1 and three-quarters in 1:26.2 with Oaxacan Dream N tracking from second and no viable threat looming from behind.
Summer Slash continued to control the race around the last turn but when they straightened for home, that was about to change. McNeight dipped Oaxacan Dream N into the passing lane and aggressively drove from there. Oaxaca Dream N responded with a quick turn of foot that propelled her past Summer Slash by a half length at the light where she won in 1:55.1.
It was the 10th win of the year for Oaxacan Dream N ($42,80) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags and trained by Maria Rice.
Earlier in the $10,000 condition pace for female participants, Hurrikane Msrodine (Kevin Cummings) took the lead and paced through quarters of :28.2, :57.1 and 1:27.1 with Atlantic Star (Kyle Swift) pushing the issue the entire way, before turning for home and rebuffing the tripped-out It’s Corona Time (Joe Chindano Jr.) by a half length in 1:56.4.
Hurrikane Msrodine ($5.60) is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.
Four horsemen scored hat tricks on Wednesday. They were drivers Joe Chindano Jr., Kevin Cummings and Dave McNeight III and trainer Sam Smith.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (November 30) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $3,658 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Photo of Hurrikane Msrodine courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Earlier this week, Batavia Downs’ leading driver, Drew Monti, achieved a major milestone when he surpassed $20 million in career earnings, which came over the last 12 years for the 30-year-old reinsman. On Wednesday (Nov. 27) night, Batavia Downs made a special trackside presentation to Monti to commemorate the occasion.
Monti is a third-generation horseman from Depew and has been a regular at Batavia Downs since he was first licensed. He even won his first pari-mutuel race over the Genesee County oval. From that initial victory, the career numbers that pushed him over the $20 million benchmark were 17,318 starts that yielded 2,571 wins, 2,448 seconds and 2,297 thirds.
This year, Monti is experiencing the best year he’s had in the sulky since 2021 after doing double duty between Batavia Downs and Plainridge Park in Massachusetts. All totalled for 2024 to date, Monti is showing 1,579 starts with 229 wins, 230 seconds and 191 thirds with $2,169,076 in the bank.
At the current Batavia meet alone, Monti sits atop the leaderboard with 111 wins -- which is 17 more than his nearest competitor -- and those victories have helped his connection’s horses earn $747,361 in purses as a result. Monti is in position to win his third driving title with only three days left in the meet, having claimed that trophy in 2016 and 2018.
Monti was joined in the winners’ enclosure by family, friends and representatives of Batavia Downs.
The final three live racing days at Batavia Downs for 2024 are Saturday (Nov. 30), Wednesday (Dec. 4) and Saturday (Dec. 7). Post time for all three days is 6 p.m.
Food Network star Anne Burrell captivated a live audience with a cooking demonstration at Batavia Downs this past Sunday. Guests watched Burrell prepare one of her signature dishes while asking questions and receiving culinary tips.
One memorable moment came when an audience member asked Burrell about the best type of white wine to use in recipes. With a smile, Burrell quickly responded, "the cheapest," creating laughter from the crowd.
A Cazenovia native, Burrell’s culinary journey began at Canisius College and continued at the Culinary Institute of America. She then honed her skills internationally, which helped propel her successful career as a chef, television personality, and cookbook author.
Following the demonstration, Burrell hosted a VIP meet-and-greet, where she signed books and engaged with fans, sharing more insights into her cooking knowledge.
A $13,000 Open Handicap for both gaits topped the bill at Batavia Downs on Saturday (November 23) night and each event was won with opposing race strategies.
The pacing feature went to Melanion N who went gait to wire in impressive fashion.
Drew Monti sent Melanion N forward off the gate and got the lead on the outside at the :27.3 quarter. Melanion N then crossed over and backed off the half to a tepid :58 before turning on the jets during the second circuit. Mirragon A (Shawn McDonough) made a first-over move from fifth and pushed the third quarter in 1:26 while getting to within a length of the leader. But that leader, Melanion N, turned the other cheek and simply paced away. Melanion N opened up a 1-½ length margin at the top of the lane and then stretched that out to 3-½ at the line as he bolted home in a snappy :27.3 to win in 1:53.3.
It was the fourth win of the year for Melanion N ($3.20) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Dr. Michael Miller. Maria Rice trains the winner.
Melanion N was one of three winners for Drew Monti on Saturday.
Later, the top trot went to Dougadougadew, who came from way off the pace to score in a thrilling finish.
Kyle Cummings took Dougadougadew off the gate to seventh and trailed by 8-¾ lengths as Power And Grace (Drew Monti), El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) and Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) battled three-deep to the quarter in :28 flat. Biscoe finally cleared, but El Toro Loco was hung out to dry and trotted in the breeze next to the leader to the half in :57 and three-quarters in 1:27. It was at that station that Cummings tipped Dougadougadew four wide, which was a position he would remain in throughout the final turn. When they entered the stretch, Dougadougadew was trotting up a storm, made up ground on Biscoe with every stride and eventually went right by him in deep stretch to win by 1-¾ lengths in 1:58.
It was the 11th win of the year for Dougadougadew ($16.20) who is owned by Doug and Tyra Ackley and trained by Tammy Cummings.
Dougadougadew was also one of three winners for Kyle Cummings and one of two winners for Tammy Cummings during the night.
One of Kyle Cumming’s other wins came in the fourth race with the 7-year-old trotter Discus Hanover, who brushed late and won by a head in 1:58.4 to claim his 50th career victory. Owned by Phil Hale and his trainer Dave Dewhurst, Discus Hanover now shows earnings of $296,238 as a result of his milestone and boasts a lifetime best clocking of 1:53.4 at Vernon Downs two years ago.
The top dash driver on Saturday was Joe Chindano Jr. who got a grand slam with wins behind Prairie Panther (1:56.2, $3.30), American Trademark (1:57.1, $6.70), Vel Mr Nice Guy (1:54.4, $9.20) and Lyons Johnnyjnr (1:55.1, $6.90).
Trainer Mike Deters also had two wins on Saturday.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (November 27) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will also be a carryover of $2,812 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Photo of Dougadougadew courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Photo of check presentation at Elba High School. Pictured are adults: On Left – Ryan Hasenauer, VP of Business Development, Batavia Downs; In Center - Byron Brown, President and CEO, Batavia Downs; Kneeling in Yellow – Heather Dillon, Environmental Services Supervisor, Batavia Downs; In Red Buffalo Sweatshirt – Sara Tenney, Customer Engagement Specialist Supervisor, Batavia Downs; In Greyish/Green Hoodie – Ryan Tenney - McNickel's Bottle And Can Redemption; In Elba Maroon Shirt – Morgan Marcello – Secondary School Principal, Elba; Kneeling in Under Armour ½ Zip – Danielle Cervone, Teacher and Class of 2025 Advisor, Elba; Also pictured are Members of the Elba High School Class of 2025 and members of the Boys Baseball Team.
Press Release:
This past summer, Elba Central School’s Class of 2025 and Boys Baseball team helped clean up cans and bottles after each Rockin’ The Downs show. They earned $1,031.80 by returning the recyclables they gathered to McNickel’s Bottle and Can Redemption.
Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel matched that and added $500 for also helping picking up trash and chairs throughout the concert season for a grand total of $2,563.60!
After scoring an upset win from an outside post last week at Batavia Downs, Mucho Macho moved up in class and did the exact same thing at The Downs in the $9,500 featured trot on a wet and chilly Friday (Nov. 22) night over a track rated sloppy.
John Cummings Jr. left from post seven and shot right to the front with Mucho Macho, who got to the half in 1:00.2 while BJ’s Smitty sat smartly in the pocket. Entering turn three, Jacked (Joe Chindano Jr.) came first-over from third and made his way alongside the leader under a highly animated drive. When they passed three-quarters, Cummings popped the plugs on Mucho Macho and the trotter began to pull away from the field. Coming off the final turn, Jacked faded and BJ’s Mitty dropped into the passing lane at the top of the stretch, trying to make up ground. But Mucho Macho refused to give way and trotted home the best to win in 1:59.
It was the eighth win of the year for Mucho Macho ($14.40) who is owned and trained by Julie Wagonblott.
Joe Chindano Jr. led all drivers on Friday with three victories during the card while Sam Smith was top trainer, winning two.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Nov. 23) with post time at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $2,386 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Photo of Scenic Adventure courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
It was no vacation for Scenic Adventure after high winds and heavy rain blew into Genesee County prior to her race. But the mare treated it like a day at the beach after handling her peers in the featured $11,000 pace for female sidewheelers at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (November 20) night.
Scenic Adventure (Drew Monti) took a quick, easy lead and marched to the half in :58.3 while Truly (Jim McNeight Jr.) tracked from second. With no one applying any pressure from the rear, Scenic Adventure continued to pace smartly and broke away from the field as she passed three-quarters in 1:27.4. Scenic Adventure continued to extend her lead around the last turn and was clear by 3-1/2 lengths as she turned for home. Scenic Adventure then paced to the line unfettered to win by two in 1:57.1.
It was the seventh win of the year for Scenic Adventure ($23.00) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.
The win was one of four for driver Drew Monti, who registered a grand slam during the evening. Monti also won with Bee Still My Hardt (1:55.1, $5.60), Vondell Kemp (2:00.2, $3.30) and Big Bad Mosa (1:57, $14.80) who paced away to a 16-¾ length victory.
Matching Monti for driving wins on Wednesday was Shawn McDonough, who also had a four-bagger in the bike, including a natural hat trick in races seven, eight and nine. McDonough scored with Always B Mimi (1:55.3, $35.00) who is also trains, Keystone Phoenix (1:58, $3.80), R U Talkin (1:58.2, $48.40) and Hurrikane Msrodine (1:58, $8.70).
Sam Smith was the leading trainer on Wednesday after sending three of his students to the winner’s enclosure.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (November 22) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will also be a carryover of $1,481 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
This holiday season, Batavia Downs is celebrating with thrilling offers & exciting events: Bob’s Christmas Resource Day by the Little Free Pantry, a chance to see celebrity chef Anne Burrell, an opportunity to “Get Paid To Stay”, and fantastic Thanksgiving/Black Friday promotions.
An Afternoon with Anne Burrell – Sunday, November 24
Batavia Downs is hosting "An Afternoon with Anne Burrell" at 3 p.m. inside of Park Place, featuring the Food Network star and chef extraordinaire, Anne Burrell. Guests will enjoy live cooking demonstrations, culinary tips, and stories from Anne’s celebrated career.
Tickets for this exclusive event are available at www.BataviaConcerts.com. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot now to watch one of the most beloved chefs in the country! A dinner option is also available for a complete culinary experience.
Bob’s Christmas Resource Day by the Little Free Pantry – November 26
Batavia Downs is thrilled to host a community resource event with the Little Free Pantry. Taking place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, inside the Park Place Event Center, this initiative ensures that local families in need can receive items at no cost and with no questions asked. Batavia Downs is committed to providing resources for support to the local community.
Thanksgiving/Black Friday Happenings – November 28 and 29
WROTB President & CEO Byron Brown & the Board of Directors invite you to come celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with dining specials, gaming promotions, and an unbeatable hotel offer!
Dining Specials: Stop by 34 Rush to enjoy the November specials, such as the Salted Caramel Apple Cider, or Cranberry Turkey Sandwich! More details are available here: https://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/club-bud-light/ No reservations are needed.
November 28 Promotion:
Enjoy Thanksgiving Hot Seats! Use your Player's Club card at any machine between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a chance to win $100 Free Play every hour!
November 29 Promotions:
Bring in any receipt from a Batavia area retailer between 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. today (dated November 29, 2024, valued at $5 or more) to receive $5 Free Play! *Visit Player's Club to redeem. Gas stations & markets do not count. Must earn 5 pts., one redemption per person, per promo period.
Stop by before or after you shop to enjoy Black Friday Hot Seats! Use your Player's Club card between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a chance to win $100 Free Play every hour!
Stay the Night on Thanksgiving with the “Get Paid To Stay” hotel deal! For $129 plus tax, you will receive a hotel room, $60 Free Play per guest (based on double occupancy), a $20 gas card, your choice between Two Premium “On The Rocks” Premade Cocktails or 4 beers at Club Bud Light, and a complimentary breakfast buffet in the morning! Learn more & book at https://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/hotel-deals/.
For more information on these events or to learn about other activities at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel, please visit our website or contact us directly.
High construction costs and high interest rates have temporarily shelved plans to expand the Hotel at Batavia Downs.
The Western Regional Off-Track Betting Board of Directors voted on Thursday to temporarily "pause" expansion plans on the recommendation of outgoing CEO/President Henry Wojtaszek.
Wojtaszek said the executive team sought construction estimates for the proposed expansion and the estimates -- not bids -- came in at $16 million and $16.5 million, which is about $4 million more than the original cost estimate.
"Because of the high cost of the estimate to build a hotel and the high cost of borrowing, we recommended to the board that they delay their decision and come back and review (the proposal) in six months to a year," Wojtaszek.
The Hotel at Batavia Downs is currently an 84-room luxury facility that opened in 2016. It was originally constructed and operated by ADK Hospitality, a Buffalo-based company. It costs ADK $5.4 million to build the hotel. The OTB purchased the hotel in 2021 for $8 million.
Officials were looking at an expansion that would essentially double the size of the hotel, with a new wing added to the north side of the current hotel.
Byron Brown, the new CEO and president, said pausing expansion given the current construction market makes sense.
"The construction companies that reviewed this felt that costs in the construction industry are extremely high right now and that interest rates are high right now, and we should delay seeing if construction costs come back down and if interest rates go down," Brown said. "And, you know, one example of this is if you even look at reporting on the Bills new stadium project, construction expenses have ballooned by over $560 million over original estimates."
Asked about the possibility of new import tariffs, as promised by the incoming White House administration, raising the cost of construction, thus making the project even more expensive to pursue, Brown said, "That's why we made the recommendation to delay moving forward with the hotel expansion, so that we would give the board the opportunity, with the management team to look at these things and to look at the costs, and if costs come back in line, then we would be able to move forward. And if costs don't come back in line, that would be something that the board would need to consider."
The board, Wojtaszek said, will likely look at a scaled-down expansion (fewer new rooms) at its December meeting to see if it could be financially feasible.
The board may also be asked to authorize construction BIDs to see if maybe they come in lower than the estimates, Brown said.
As he stepped into his new role as president and CEO, Bryon Brown noted that the hotel has helped contribute to revenue growth at Batavia Downs and he said he supported expansion.
"(The hotel) has led to this corporation becoming a lot more profitable," Brown told The Batavian in October. "So purchasing the hotel in the first place was a very good decision. From my perspective, just being able to evaluate this during the week that I've been here, I think expanding would be a good decision as well. But again, I don't want to try to speak for the board."
Brown said delaying expansions is a disappointment for all concerned.
"The management team and the board are all disappointed. I'm disappointed," Brown said. "You know, we did not anticipate the numbers being this high with the increase in construction costs and interest rates, but we have to make a sound business decision, and that's what we're doing by recommending that the hotel expansion be delayed at this time."
Western Regional Off Track Betting (WROTB) President and CEO Byron Brown presented representatives from the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR) with a check for $25,215.30 to help those who been affected by breast or gynecologic cancer.
On September 27, a dinner and night at the races fundraiser with raffles to benefit the BCCR was held inside the Batavia Downs Clubhouse. Businesses and donors located in Western NY sponsored several races that night. Some monies came from the local harness racing community as some owners, trainers and drivers donated all or a portion of their earnings from the night to the BCCR. Through the dinner, donations, raffles and auctions for items, the event raised $25,213.30.
“I'm honored, along with the Batavia Downs Board of Directors, to present a check of over $25,000 to the Breast Cancer Coalition,” Brown said. “Breast Cancer Awareness Month just concluded in October but our focus should be year around with more than 360,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. Early detection is critically important because - so the quicker you act the bigger the impact.”
"The Breast Cancer Coalition Community is profoundly grateful for the incredible support Batavia Downs provides year after year,” said Christina Thompson, President and Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Coalition. “While we appreciate every contribution to our organization, the unwavering dedication from Batavia Downs and its staff holds special meaning. Their support extends beyond October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month—they stay engaged with us throughout the year, referring friends and family to our programs. They also recognize how challenging it is for a community-based organization to secure the vital funding needed to deliver our exceptional programs and services to survivors across Central and Western New York. Thanks to Batavia Downs’ enduring partnership, we can continue serving our community with the care and resources they rely on.”
Photo of (from left to right) Henry Wojtaszek, General Counsel – WROTB/Batavia Downs, Dennis Bassett, Chairman – Board of Directors, WROTB/Batavia Downs, Byron Brown – President and CEO, WROTB/Batavia Downs, Jodie Antoniadis, Development Manager, Make-A-Wish Western New York, Mary Hazel, Development Director, Make-A-Wish Western New York. Submitted photo.
Press Release:
Western Region Off Track Betting (WROTB) and Batavia Downs President and CEO Byron Brown was joined by staff from Make-A-Wish Western New York, as Batavia Downs Presented them with a check for $9,310. These proceeds were from this past summer’s Chair Rentals, Glow in the Dark Jewelry and Can Coolers sales at Batavia’s Rockin’ the Downs Outdoor Summer Concert Series.
“On behalf of the Batavia Downs Board of Directors, I want to recognize and thank the volunteers of Make of Wish Western New York for making this happen,” Brown said. “Through their efforts over $9,300 was raised to help children with critical illnesses. Hopefully with the money raised another wish can come true.”
Throughout the 9 concerts of Batavia Downs’ Rockin’ The Downs Summer Concert Series, volunteers at the Make-A-Wish chair-rental booth rented out chairs and sold glow jewelry and Make A Wish branded can coolers. The chairs were adorned with the Make-A-Wish logo and the message: The person sitting in this chair is helping to transform lives.
“Make-A-Wish is incredibly appreciative of our partnership with Batavia Downs for the “Rockin’ the Downs” Summer Concert Series to raise both awareness and crucial funds to help support children and families fighting critical illnesses, not only in the Batavia community but throughout this 17-county region,” said Ben Marchione, Regional Director, Make-A-Wish® Western New York. “Thank you to all the concert goers who supported this year’s efforts and to Batavia Downs for making it possible. It is only through vitally important partnerships such as this that we are able to continue to serve our essential mission. We are very thankful for the opportunity.”
The 2025 Concert Series lineup is expected to announced before year’s end.
Kristina Gilbert shares her family's "cancer journey" during the annual Genesee Cancer Assistance dinner Saturday at Batavia Downs. Photo by Joanne Beck
Every year Sue Underwood, executive director of Genesee Cancer Assistance, asks one or two people to share their story for the nonprofit’s annual dinner, and this year she thought that Kristina Gilbert, whose family had dealt with cancer multiple times, was a perfect candidate.
It took a little self-convincing for Gilbert to agree.
“When Sue asked me, I was kind of taken back, but then I remembered my promise to my sister. It was to keep her story and her memory alive for all of us,” Gilbert said during the annual gathering Saturday night at Batavia Downs. “So I hope that, if anything, you can take away that cancer does not discriminate, but it also doesn’t take away the hope that we all have and that it is a journey. We can all come together and we can fight it together, and we all have a purpose in this world.”
Her family’s cancer “journey,” as she called it, began in April 2019, when she took her sister Candy to the emergency room with excruciating pain in her right side. After a CT scan, the doctor discovered a cyst on her ovary, and a spot at the very bottom of her lung that turned out to be cancer.
Her ovary was clean, but the spot on her lung had to be removed, Gilbert said. Her sister was told by the doctor that if she had to have cancer, that was the “best kind.” She did not require chemo or radiation, and Candy just celebrated five years of being cancer-free this past summer.
Although her sister was fortunate to have good health insurance and was not in need of GCA’s financial assistance, Gilbert learned more about the nonprofit because she andUnderwood attend the same church. That was information that Gilbert unknowingly would turn to in the future.
In April 2022, her sister Carrie made a trip to the ER for what she thought were kidney stones. After a CT scan, doctors again discovered cancer. This time, however, it was already at Stage IV, and in her liver, spine, bones and lungs.
“We were beyond devastated when a trip to the ER, when you’re thinking of kidney stones, turns out to be a terminal illness,” Gilbert said. “Carrie received radiation to help with the bone and spine cancer, and after that was completed, she started chemo. It wasn’t long after she started chemo that her hair began to thin and fall out.”
That’s when the family recalled GCA and its Simply Beautiful, Simply Renewal program that provides services and education to help those dealing with effects of cancer look and feel their best with wigs and makeup.
Carrie met Nickie Fazio, who worked with her to find a wig — of just the right type, color, tone and fit — and help her to feel comfortable with the new look.
“When Carrie went and got her wig, she was elated. She was so excited. She asked my mom if she could drive her over to our office, social services, so we could see her. I could see her smile a mile away. She was so excited, and she looked beautiful. It was exactly how I remember her hair just long and straight with a little curl. And she was excited because she put the barrette and everything in it, and she said it was the first time she finally felt more like herself,” Gilbert said. “It was this past April 14 that Carrie lost her battle with cancer. We said goodbye to her way too soon.”
The funny — and sad — thing is, she said, that wasn’t the end of the cancer journey. Their mom, Bonnie, was diagnosed with colon cancer while taking care of Carrie. She received 12 rounds of chemotherapy and, despite the unpleasant side effects, she continued to show up for treatment and to care for her daughter. In fact, “she was the best caregiver Carrie could have ever asked for,” Gilbert said.
GCA did help her mom with financial assistance to offset some costs not covered by insurance.
“I work on the insurance side of business, and it's sad that people who need care are often struggling to get the care that they need. And it's foundations and organizations like this that are fantastic, and I know my family is grateful for that. No amount of money is too small or too big. It's been a crazy year, but I can say that, without a doubt, it's brought us closer. And I can't thank Genesee County Cancer Assistance enough. It's not just the money side or anything that helped us. It's the fact that they’re family, and to this day, every Sunday, Sue says, ‘How are you doing, Christina? How's your family? How's your mom? Is there anything you guys need?’” she said. “And as a matter of fact, I talked to Sue that day that Carrie passed away. We were trying to find a bed for Carrie, and Sue was trying to help us. They care for not only the patient, but the family, and they are with them the entire journey, and even after, so I thank you all so much, and I hope that our story helps you all a little bit tonight, thank you.”
The event theme was “Night at the Downs,” complete with red carpet, and it drew about 315 people, making it the largest attendance ever, Underwood said. Last year brought in 290 people for what began as a social event and evolved into an evening filled with basket raffle announcements and a card game with one prize for the last man, or woman, standing.
“This originally started out just to be a social thankful gathering. It's November, time to be thankful, and we didn't even have the basket raffle. And then we had people saying, where's your basket raffle? So it's never really meant to be a fundraiser. It has kind of, of course, turned into a little bit of that because the baskets are all donated, and so we get to have those proceeds. But we just originally just wanted the time where we could kind of end the year out and have people come together and hear some stories. And so we've tried to pick some speakers that have great meaning to what we do and why we do what we do,” Underwood said. “So for this year, specifically, it was nice. We did introduce our new, simply, beautiful, enhanced program. So that was fun. We always just try to have a game to get the crowd engaged, and Chapin was a $3,000 sponsor for us this year and offered to bring that board. And we were so excited to be able to change it up with this red carpet theme. So yeah, it was fun.”
Kate Willson, owner ofMeraki Beauty and newly opened The Beauty Lounge by Meraki in downtown Batavia, has taken on the Simply Beautiful, Simply Renewed program, which has been enhanced to include pampering beauty services in addition to the wigs program.
“We've been there about six years, and our heart is all about just showing love in our community and being there for our people. So it's been really cool to be able to now open a spot and continue to share that love all throughout town. And it's been really awesome to get to start working with Genesee Cancer Assistance and to start providing services to them. I myself am a hair stylist and not a public speaker. So here I am, but I love what I do and being behind the chair, and so it's been such an amazing gift to be able to work with people who are undergoing treatment and help them find a way that fits them perfectly,” Willson said. “So I've just been loving that. It's been really, really cool, and the relationships that we built with those people have just been out of this world. So it's been an odd time for me to take on something new, to be honest, because I am quite busy in my businesses, but it has been such a beautiful piece of giving back too, and just like giving me so much more energy for everything that I'm doing. So I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be here with you.”
The program began with wigs, however, since she opened the spa in July, “we decided it would be a great addition to add in more services, because sometimes you might be totally comfortable without your hair.”
“And we're finding that a lot of people are really happy like that, which brings me a lot of joy too, that it's like I can help them in restoring now, so we can talk about products and helping them to help their scalp and build their health now, as they continue to move through the process, the journey after cancer,” she said. “And so now we're going to be offering services at the spa. So we're going to be doing facials, manicures, pedicures … so it's going to be really rejuvenating and just a good little piece to come in and relax. And that truly is what we're all about, that still remains.”
Underwood said that she has observed over the last couple of years that not everyone loses hair during treatment, which makes these spa services more inclusive for patients no matter what they are experiencing, she said.
“There might be something like that that would interest the patient, that would, as she said, make them feel renewed, relaxed, refreshed. And that piece is very important when you're battling your journey,” Underwood said. “So we're very thankful for Kate.”
Sue Underwood, left, executive director for Genesee Cancer Assistance, talks about the Simply Beautiful, Simply Renewed program with Kate Willson, who is taking over the program. Photo by Joanne Beck
Kate Willson, owner of Meraki Beauty Photo by Joanne Beck
Mike Sheehan, left, Larry DuBois and third from right, Debbie Lakas, LaRae Taylor and Chrissy Blatner, all of Chapin International, flank Genesee Cancer Assistance Executive Director Sue Underwood, center, in front of the board donated by Chapin for GCA's "Night at the Downs" dinner Saturday at Batavia Downs. Photo by Joanne Beck
Attendees play the elimination game by holding up cards as an announcer draws one card at a time, and if it doesn't match what's being held up, that person has to sit down. Photo by Joanne Beck
