By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Carryover Fever has hit Batavia Downs Gaming. The Pick-5 wager has not been hit for four consecutive harness racing programs, prompting management to guarantee a track-record Pick 5 wagering pool of $35,000 on Friday night. First-race post time is 6 p.m. The multi-race wager starts in Race 1 and ends in Race 5, and obviously has the potential for a … [Read more...] about Batavia Downs-record Pick-5 pool at $35,000 on Friday
Horse Racing
Harness racing’s demise greatly exaggerated
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The general impression for years has been that the sport of harness racing, especially in Western New York, has been at best treading water. Batavia Downs Gaming is bucking that trend. While the track is just nine race programs into the 65-race-day 2019 season, there has been an unexpected wagering resurgence. Handle from all sources — one-track, … [Read more...] about Harness racing’s demise greatly exaggerated
Kentucky Derby: Rubbin’ is racin’ … until there’s an ambulance and euthanized horse
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Until Saturday, "Country House" was just something featured every week on HGTV. But thanks to Kentucky Derby No. 145, it's now the latest two-word entry in the urban dictionary for controversy. Country House, an improving-by-the-day thoroughbred trained by Bill Mott, was declared the winner of the Kentucky Derby after the unofficial first-place … [Read more...] about Kentucky Derby: Rubbin’ is racin’ … until there’s an ambulance and euthanized horse
Les Hulet, former jockey at Finger Lakes Race Track, has died
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Former Finger Lakes Race Track jockey Les Hulet, whose Hall of Fame riding career was defined by dignity and integrity, died on Friday after a short battle with brain cancer. He was 69. As Mr. Hulet's obituary at southernutahmortuary.com says, "Ever the winner, Leslie J. Hulet beat us all to the finish line." Mr. Hulet was a five-time riding champion … [Read more...] about Les Hulet, former jockey at Finger Lakes Race Track, has died
Foiled Again, harness racing’s richest horse, at Batavia on Friday
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The Foiled Again Farewell Tour rolls into Batavia Downs Gaming on Friday night. Foiled Again, the richest horse in harness racing history, will circle the Batavia Downs oval one last time as his final season of racing nears an end. Now 14, Foiled Again faces mandatory retirement on Jan. 1. His very last race will be on Dec. 31 at The Meadows in … [Read more...] about Foiled Again, harness racing’s richest horse, at Batavia on Friday