by Todd Haight, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — On Friday night, October 19, Batavia Downs Gaming will hold their final free handicapping contest of the season.

A total of $750 will be up for grabs in which the winner will take home $400, the second-place finisher will receive $200, the third-place finisher will bring home $100 and the fourth place finisher picks up $50.

You must be a Players Club member to participate. Contest forms are available at Players Club beginning at 5:30 p.m. and can be submitted until post time of the first race, which is 7:05 p.m.

Players Club members are required to handicap the first nine races on the Batavia Downs program and will receive points based on how their selections do.

Patrons are also required to select one best bet in which they will receive double points. The top four point-getters take home the prize money.

All prize money will be available to be picked up starting on Wednesday night, October 24, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Players Club.

Batavia adds two more superfectas

Racing fans, please be advised of the new wagering format. Beginning on Friday night, October 19, Superfecta wagering will now be offered on races three, five, eight and 11.

According to Mike Kane, Vice President of Racing and Gaming, “the change was made at the request of our racing fans that wanted more opportunities to take advantage of the 10-cent supers we now offer.”

Pick-6 Carryover Jackpot is now $1,600

Once again no one correctly selected all six winners in the weekly Pick-6 contest, which means the carry-over jackpot for Wednesday night, October 24, will be $1,600.

The free Pick-6 contest is sponsored in part by the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association.

The Pick-6 contest requires racing fans to select the winners of races four through nine on the Wednesday night Batavia Downs program.

The contest is open to all Players Club members. There is no charge to become a Players Club Member. Sign-up to play begins at 5:30 p.m. at Players Club. If no one gets all six winners correct, the pool increases each week until it is hit.

This year the Pick-6 contest will be held on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons that begin in November. On the final Saturday matinee of the meet, which is December 1, all monies in the carryover jackpot must be distributed to the person or persons selecting the most winners.

Best Breeders’ Cup party in Western New York

Be at Batavia Downs Gaming on Saturday, October 27, as we hold our annual Breeders’ Cup party in the historic track’s clubhouse. For just $10 (an $18 value) racing fans will receive the following:

• Coffee and donuts from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
• Lunch buffet from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., featuring beef of weck, pulled pork and italian sausage along with assorted salads and dessert.
• Breeders’ Cup t-shirt (while supplies last)
• $2.00 gaming free play
• Breeders’ Cup program and Batavia Downs program
• Coffee and soda will be free from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sitting begins at 10:30 a.m., first Monmouth race is at 11:00 a.m. First Breeders’ Cup race is 12:30 p.m.

Call for reservations at (343) 3750, ext: 300, walk-ups accepted.

In addition to live harness racing, Batavia Downs Gaming offers the best of simulcast action, Wednesday through Sunday, fine food in the clubhouse and video gaming. The gaming floor, which features 591 video gaming terminals, is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, from Sunday through Thursday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information visit www.bataviadownsgaming.com.