Horse Racing

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The winner's circle at Batavia Downs Gaming may very well turn into Marcus Melander's own little private party room on Saturday night. Hypnotic AM, the 2-year-old filly trotting sensation from the Melander stable, and Gimpanzee, the 3-year-old colt trotting star he trains, will be prohibitive favorites during the 30th annual New York Sire Stakes' Night of … [Read more...] about Melander’s trotting stars headline NYSS Night of Champions at Batavia

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

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

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