Press release
Batavia, NY — Horsemen and women, and racing fans alike should be advised that, due to the Buffalo Bills playing the first regular season game in their new stadium on Thursday (Sept. 17), post time for the live card of racing at Batavia Downs that day has been moved to 2 p.m. to free up the evening for harness racing members of Bills Mafia.
Nicolle Fortes, Director/General Manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs, sent the request to the New York State Gaming Commission and they approved the change.
“The Buffalo Bills will host their home opener at the new Highmark Stadium that evening. Given the significant regional interest surrounding the opening of the new stadium and the anticipated audience for this event, we believe adjusting our post time would be beneficial to our race program, horsemen and women, and patrons. This adjustment will eliminate an overlap between our live racing program and the Bills home opener kick-off, while providing the best opportunity to maintain attendance, viewership and wagering on our races,” said Fortes.
After this one-time amendment, all remaining post times on Thursdays will revert back to the regularly scheduled 5 p.m.