by Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — An electrical transformer that supplies power to the track lighting system blew prior to the start of the first race Saturday night (Nov. 1) at Batavia Downs causing the cancellation of the entire live card of racing.

With none of the lights that illuminate the far turn operational, it was impossible to conduct racing with any semblance of safety.

Todd Haight, Director/GM of live racing at the Downs, said, “We regret the inconvenience for our horsemen and patrons but there was no way we could have conducted the races. Our electrician told us it would have been hours before the proper conditions alone could have been achieved before the repair itself could have begun. Given those parameters our only option was to cancel.

“We will make the necessary repairs to the problem and be ready to hold our next scheduled live card this Wednesday night (Nov. 5).”

The outage did not affect any of the lights in the grandstand, clubhouse or casino areas and the property remained open for simulcasting and gaming as scheduled.