Batavia Downs
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Photos courtesy of Paul White
News and notes......by Todd Haight
Michael Norway, Emily Sallome, Kaley Falkowski, Tyler Pingrey
7-09-10 Batavia, NY --- Batavia Downs has announced a brand new scholarship race to give away $7,500 for college-bound students. The event will feature students from area schools, accompanied by professional drivers, in a dash for the cash on Saturday, September 11.
“We are really pleased to be able to help support the education of students in our community in such a unique way,” said Batavia Downs General Manager Michael D. Kane. “We hope the students who participate not only walk away with scholarship funds, but also a greater understanding of the sport of harness racing.”
The students and their professional driving partners are: Emily Sallome of Batavia High School with Mike Pokornowski; Kaley Falkowski of Batavia High with Jim Mulcahy; Eric Harrower of Batavia High with Ron Beback, Jr.; Michael Norway of Oakfield Alabama High School with Mike Baumeister; and Tyler Pingrey from Notre Dame High School with Jim Graham.
This summer the students will attend at least five training sessions at the track with their driver to learn the safety and skills needed to drive a horse. Then between the fourth and fifth live harness races on September 11, they will line up behind the starting gate and compete for scholarships of $3,000, $2,000, $1,200, $800, and $500, depending on their finish.
“Five organizations came together to sponsor these scholarships as an investment in the youth of this community,” explained Kane. “This scholarship event is sponsored by the horsemen, breeders, owners, and raceways of Western New York through the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State, the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association, Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs Casino.”
Harness Horse Breeders is partnering with other New York tracks this summer to offer scholarships to students across the state.
Batavia Downs, America’s oldest lighted harness track, opens its 64th racing season on Monday, July 26, for 72 racing dates. Racing will be at the new post time of 6:40 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. There will also be a special 1:15 p.m. post on Sunday, Aug. 29. For more information, visit www.batavia-downs.com .
7-29-10 NEW 6:40 POST TIME AND PICK 6 WAGER FOR 2010 SEASON
BATAVIA, NY – Batavia Downs Casino is proud to announce the 64th season of live, harness racing in the heart of Western New York. Pacers and trotters will meet at America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track for 72 exciting dates of racing, beginning Monday July 26th.
The 2010 season features a new post time of 6:40 PM for all evening races. Three matinees will take place on August 29th, September 6th, and October 11th, each with a post time of 1:15 PM. For all racing promotional giveaways and handicapping contests, patrons may begin swiping their Player’s Club cards at 5 PM at Players Club.
“The new 6:40 post time is designed to be more convenient for our patrons,” says Michael D. Kane, Vice President of Operations and Live Racing at Batavia Downs Casino. “The new time should also increase the nightly handle, especially in the early races,” he added.
New Wagering Menu
New for the 2010 season is a Pick 6 wager on races 7-12 with a $2 minimum The Pick 6 will start out with a guaranteed pool of $1,000. Based on past popularity of Batavia Downs Casino’s annual Pick 6 Contest, the new nightly Pick 6 wager is sure to be a hit with race fans.
“We are excited about the new Pick 6 and believe it will be a nice addition for our patrons,” Kane remarked as he discussed the addition of the first pari-mutuel Pick 6 being offered in sixty-four seasons at Batavia Downs Casino.
Also new this season is a fourth Daily Double. The Late Late Daily Double for races 10-11 has been added to the wagering menu. This will be in addition to the previous Early Daily Double (races 1 & 2), Mid Daily Double (races 4 & 5), and the Late Daily Double (races 8 & 9).
For more information visit www.bataviadowns.casino.com