by Hank Nevins, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Up to 70 race cards for the 2009 Batavia Downs harness meet will be televised in the Time-Warner Rochester region on Channel 98, beginning this evening, it was announced today by Michael D. Kane, Vice President, OTB and Racing Operations.

Channel 98 is on Time-Warner’s basic digital package. The coverage area extends from portions of Niagara and Erie Counties eastward through all or most of Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Yates and Steuben counties. Nightly race programming will begin at 7 p.m. and complete at about 10:30 p.m., according to Kane. Racing analyst Todd Haight returns for his seventh year and track announcer Joe Zambito for his fifth as co-hosts of the simulcast show.

“We are very excited about continuing our partnership with Time-Warner,” Kane said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Batavia Downs to once again showcase its live racing product to new customers and to provide our long-time racing fans with the nightly races in the comfort of their homes.

“Discussions for simulcasting 47 Batavia races on WGRZ-TV’s Universal Sports Channel 114 in Buffalo and Erie County are continuing.”

Kane reminds harness fans that OTB provides telephone betting through its Dial-A-Bet service. Patrons may phone 1-800-724-4000 to establish an account.

Batavia Downs Casino is owned and operated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation. In addition to being America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track, the facility at 8315 Park Road is home to over 600 of the most popular slots and Grandstands Bar & Grille.