by Mary Bucceri, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Add Batavia Downs to the list of sites conducting qualifiers for the $60,000 World Harness Handicapping Championship to be held April 19 at Meadowlands Racetrack.

The Batavia Downs qualifier will be held on Friday night (April 4).

Entry fee to compete in the qualifier is just $10 and the entry fee includes $10 returned back in gaming free play for the first entry. Two entries per person are permitted. The contest will be capped at 150 entries.

The winner of the Downs qualifier receives entry into the World Harness Handicapping Championship, valued at $800, hotel accommodations for two nights and $500 in expense money. The winner’s total prize package is valued at $1,550.

The top ten finishers receive prize money as follows: second place-$250; third place-$150; fourth place-$100; and fifth place-$50. Players finishing sixth through tenth all receive $25 in gaming free play.

The contest consists of races 1-10 at Buffalo Raceway and races 1-8 at the Meadowlands.

Players are required to make a total of nine mythical wagers on the 18 designated contest races in which a minimum of five contest wagers must be made on Buffalo Raceway. The remaining four contest wagers can be placed on either Buffalo Raceway or the Meadowlands.

Each contest wager will consist of a mythical $2 win-place wager. No best bet selection is required. Only one mythical wager is allowed per designated contest race.

Both advance payments and walk ups the night of the contest are accepted, but to insure a seat in the qualifier it is strongly recommended to mail in a check to: Western OTB/Batavia Downs, 8315 Park Road, Batavia, NY 14020. Attn Todd H.

“We look forward to conducting these qualifiers every year,” said Todd Haight, general manager of Batavia Downs racing. “As in the past we expect a very good turnout.”

Complete rules can be found at this link.

Pending New York State Gaming Commission approval, opening night at America’s oldest lighted harness track is slated for July 23.