by Hank Nevins, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — A steady flow of bettors at OTB branches and E-Z Bets helped Western Regional Off-Track Betting realize its best Kentucky Derby in its 38 year history on Saturday.

A total of $1.646 million was wagered at 35 OTB branches and 10 E-Z Bet locations, breaking the mark of $1.594 million set last year. $1.1 million was returned to customers in pay-outs.

“Our branch staff and field volunteers reported fairly steady traffic all day at most locations,” said Michael D. Kane, OTB’s President and CEO. “But we did experience another late-afternoon surge that kept us busy right up to race time.”

As of Monday, the largest known tickets cashed at WROTB were a pair of $1 superfectas that paid $22,619 at the Lyell Turf Club in Rochester and the Phoenix branch in Oswego County.

OTB’s Winner’s Edge picked the exacta of 16-19 with Animal Kingdom winning the Derby at 20-1 and Nehro placing second.

Derby Week excitement extended to Batavia Downs Casino. The Genesee County gaming center had its best week since opening in May 2005 with $10.7 million in coin-in for the week ending May 8.

The second jewel of racing’s Triple Crown is the Preakness on Saturday, May 21, at Baltimore’s Pimlico Racetrack. The third and final event, the Belmont Stakes, runs at New York’s Belmont Park on Saturday, June 11.

All OTB branch locations will take advance wagering for the Preakness on Friday, May 20. WROTB locations and hours of operation can be found online at www.westernotb.com.