{"id":77304,"date":"2026-07-20T12:00:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T16:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=77304"},"modified":"2026-07-20T12:00:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T16:00:47","slug":"genesee-county-live-harness-racing-returns-to-batavia-downs-on-wednesday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/07\/20\/genesee-county-live-harness-racing-returns-to-batavia-downs-on-wednesday\/","title":{"rendered":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Live harness racing returns to\u00a0Batavia Downs\u00a0on Wednesday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Photo courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Batavia, NY — All the preparations are complete and the anticipation to see the horses go behind the gate is high as live harness racing is set to return to Genesee County on Wednesday, July 22 when Batavia Downs hosts the first of 62 fast paced cards of Standardbred competition scheduled to take place during the 2026 summer\/fall season at the oldest lighted harness track in North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The six month session will include the best overnight trotters and pacers in Western New York along with stake action, promotions, good food and a lot of fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nicolle Fortes is the General Manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs and she is eager to get her second year at the helm underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are thrilled to welcome fans, horsemen and horsewomen, and our community back for another exciting season of live racing. We’ve built a schedule and lineup of events and promotions that offer something for everyone, and we look forward to delivering an exceptional racing experience throughout the season. We have a good horse population as our stable area is 30% fuller than last year and that\u2019s good for competitive racing,\u201d said Fortes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Byron Brown, President and CEO of Western Regional Off Track Betting is equally enthused to have the season begin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are extremely excited for the start of another season of great harness racing at our historic track. One of the highlights of this meet will be the return of Sunday matinee racing and brunch in our Clubhouse. I look forward to seeing all of our loyal fans and as always I want them all to love winning at Batavia Downs,” said Brown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s schedule starts with a Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday rotation that will run through the middle of August. Then it switches to Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday for the remainder of the year. All post times will be at a new, earlier 5 p.m. except for all four Sunday summer matinee cards, Labor Day (Sept. 7) and Columbus Day\/Indigenous Peoples Day (Oct. 12), which will all be at 12:15 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New York Sire Stakes will be making eight stops at The Downs this year. Those races will be held on Wednesday July 22, Wednesday July 29, Wednesday August 5, Wednesday August 12, Wednesday August 19, Saturday August 22, Wednesday August 26 and Wednesday September 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, August 22, along with the NYSS stop, Batavia Downs will host its signature race, the $50,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace. This race annually draws some of the finest Open class pacers in North America and was the impetus of the all-time track pacing record of 1:50.2 in 2022.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wagering menu remains the same as in previous years. On a 10-race program, besides win, place and show in every race, there will be three daily doubles, 10 exactas, 10 trifectas, nine superfectas, two Pick-3\u2019s, two Pick-4\u2019s, one Pick-5 and one Jackpot Super High Five, all with low minimum wagers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western New York\u2019s top drivers and trainers will all be returning, led by Batavia Downs driving champion for the last two years, Drew Monti, along with Joe Chindano Jr., Kevin Cummings, Dave McNeight III, and Kyle Cummings, who rounded out the top five from last year.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning training leaders will be headed by The Down\u2019s three time champion, Sam Smith, who will be looking for the grand slam this season. Challengers to him will include Shawn McDonough, David Russo, and Maria Rice, who also finished first five last season. Jennifer Petrelli will be a new stable racing at Batavia on a regular basis this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Batavia Downs will continue to provide free downloadable full past performance racing programs on the website at bataviadownsgaming.com<\/u><\/a> under the live racing tab. The Batavia Downs YouTube channel will also furnish free live streaming of all the races every night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening night promotions include the first visit of the New York Sire Stakes and free printed past performance forms for those in attendance at the track. All WROTB Branches will also provide free printed past performance forms on Wednesday (July 22) and Saturday (25).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then on Sunday (July 26), which is the first matinee of the year, there will be a street legal car show taking place in the Batavia Downs parking lot from 12 noon until 4:30 p.m.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other promotions this year include a free T-shirt giveaway on Saturday (Aug. 22) during the Kane Memorial card and the annual Labor Day Bike Race on Monday (Sept. 7) where eight lucky people will win the actual bikes used in the race. Batavia Downs was the first track to run this promotion and the tradition goes back to the 1970\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will be a handicapping contest on Sunday (Aug. 16) that will offer cash prizes, professional hockey tickets and Free Play on the gaming floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Then there is an entire slate of wagering promotions that will be available all year long to make your gambling dollar go farther.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Early Bird Daily Double offers you $10 in Free Play if you wager at least $10 at the same time on the Early Daily Double.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday\u2019s Non-Winning Ticket Promo invites customers to deposit non-winning tickets wagered on Batavia Downs races into a drawing box to be eligible to win a Batavia Downs Stay and Play package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wednesday Finale Promo lets you earn $25 in Free Play with a $25 Wager on the last race at Batavia Downs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The popular Match Play Free Play Frenzy. Every Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Saturday, if you wager $25 at the same time on the same race, you will receive $25 in Free Play. Wagers must be made on the Batavia Downs race card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And one of Batavia\u2019s most popular contests, the Facebook Photo Promotion, will be available on any day Batavia Downs races. Patrons who post a picture of themselves or their group by the fence of the racetrack with the infield behind them to the Batavia Downs Racetrack Facebook page, will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a Batavia Downs Racing package. One winner will be selected monthly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You must be 21-years of age and a member of Players Club to be eligible for all these promotions. Complete rules are available at the track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, when you come out for live racing at Batavia Downs, there will be no shortage of food and beverage choices as the beautiful Clubhouse and Rail Bar, Fortunes Restaurant, 34 Rush and The Homestretch Grill will all be open for your convenience on all race days. The Clubhouse is featuring a special Southern Style buffet for opening night. You can call 1.585.343.3750 ext 6246 to make reservations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information on these and all events taking place at Batavia Downs this year, please log on to our website at bataviadownsgaming.com<\/u><\/a> or our Facebook page at facebook.com\/bataviadownsracetrack<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs (Photo courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery) Batavia, NY — All the preparations are complete and the anticipation to see the horses go behind the gate is high as live harness racing is set to return to Genesee County on Wednesday, July 22 when Batavia Downs \u2026<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":77305,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[376],"class_list":["post-77304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genesee-county","tag-batavia-downs"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-k6Q","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":66415,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/07\/27\/genesee-county-photos-the-harness-race-season-kicks-off-at-batavia-downs-on-saturday-evening\/","url_meta":{"origin":77304,"position":0},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Photos\/The harness race season kicks off at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening","author":"aka","date":"July 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Kyle Swift is all smiles with his horse Lana's Desire, after placing first in a very close first race of the 2025 Harness Racing season at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening. Kyle Swift goes around the outside to take the first race President and CEO of WROTB, Byron Brown with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250726_181048-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1057&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250726_181048-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1057&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250726_181048-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1057&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250726_181048-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1057&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250726_181048-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1057&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":69136,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/10\/18\/genesee-county-batavia-downs-extends-the-2025-meet-by-four-nights\/","url_meta":{"origin":77304,"position":1},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Batavia Downs extends the 2025 meet by four nights","author":"aka","date":"October 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs Gaming Batavia, NY --- The 2025 summer\/fall live harness racing meet at Batavia Downs was originally scheduled to conclude on Saturday (Dec. 6). However, management at the track announced today that the New York State Gaming Commission has approved their request to add four\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":66338,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/07\/24\/lots-of-history-at-batavia-downs-as-the-85th-season-of-harness-racing-begins-saturday-at-the-oldest-lighted-harness-racing-track-in-north-america\/","url_meta":{"origin":77304,"position":2},"title":"Lots of history at Batavia Downs as the 85th season of harness racing begins Saturday at the oldest lighted harness racing track in North America","author":"aka","date":"July 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From left-Kyle Swift with his mom\/trainer Ryan Swift, Tim McNeight Jr., Tammy Cummings\/trainer\/ mom of Kyle Cummings (right). Back row-Tim Bojarski, Racing Publicist for Batavia Downs Batavia Downs, the oldest lighted harness track in North America, will begin its 85th year of harness racing on Saturday, July 26th, with the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250724_115228-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C778&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250724_115228-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C778&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250724_115228-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C778&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250724_115228-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C778&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250724_115228-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C778&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":64123,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/04\/26\/genesee-county-celebration-of-top-harness-racing-talent-returns-as-batavia-downs-will-host-new-york-sire-stakes-2025-night-of-champions\/","url_meta":{"origin":77304,"position":3},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Celebration of Top Harness Racing Talent Returns as Batavia Downs will host New York Sire Stakes 2025 \u201cNight of Champions\u201d","author":"aka","date":"April 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release ALBANY, N.Y. \u2014 The Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund is proud toannounce that the 2025 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) \u201cNight of Champions\u201d will take placeon Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel in Batavia, N.Y. As the premier event of the NYSS\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image007-scaled.png?fit=1200%2C999&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image007-scaled.png?fit=1200%2C999&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image007-scaled.png?fit=1200%2C999&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image007-scaled.png?fit=1200%2C999&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image007-scaled.png?fit=1200%2C999&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":62052,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/02\/22\/genesee-county-batavia-downs-to-hold-remembrance-ceremony-for-longtime-employees\/","url_meta":{"origin":77304,"position":4},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Batavia Downs to hold remembrance ceremony for longtime employees","author":"aka","date":"February 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Western New York Harness Horseman\u2019s Association to donate $4,000 BATAVIA \u2013 Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced\u00a0that on the last day of the winter meet, prior to racing at 3pm on Monday, February 24th, President & CEO Byron Brown is scheduled to be joined by Family Members and Employees\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":38103,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2022\/12\/06\/genesee-county-batavia-downs-flexes-post-time-for-december-17\/","url_meta":{"origin":77304,"position":5},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Batavia Downs \u201cflexes\u201d post time for December 17","author":"aka","date":"December 6, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs Batavia, NY --- The management of Batavia Downs announced today that post time for the final card of racing for 2022 scheduled for Saturday (Dec. 17) has been changed from 6 p.m. to 3 p.m.\u00a0This was done after the week 15 game between the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Behind-The-Gate-for-2026.png?fit=1774%2C887&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77304"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77306,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77304\/revisions\/77306"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}