by Todd Haight, promotional marketing specialist, Batavia Downs Casino

Batavia, NY — The Batavia Downs Casino stakes season goes into overdrive beginning on Friday night (September 3).

Through September 21 over $1 million will be up for grabs in New York Sire Stakes money, including September 18, when over $250,000 alone in purses will be offered. The only night bigger in Downs history is when America’s oldest lighted harness track hosted the $286,000 Breeders Crown trot, back in 1988.

This Friday night features New York Sire Stakes County Fair Finals for 2- and 3-year-old pacers and trotters, with each offering purse money of $8,000.

The first County Fair Final begins in race 2, the 3-year-old pace. It’s Only Roni, a filly by Noble Abilty-Theoneandonlyvroni, part of a trainer Joe Robbins entry, could be the horse to beat. The entry has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite by Racing Secretary Joe Zambito.

Action continues in race 4, the 3-year-old trot. Doug Ackley’s Vagra (Dream Vacation-Agra), already a 12-time winner this season, takes on the Dream Vacation-Dusty Girl filly Dream State. Trainer Dave Dewhurst hands the lines over to Downs dash leading driver Jack Flanigen.

The final for freshman trotters goes as race 8. Lofty Dreams, a full brother to Dream State, bred by Kindergarden Stud Inc., starts out as the 5-2 favorite. Steve Pratt owns the colt, already a seven-time winner this season. Jack Flanigen gets the return call on Lofty Dreams, who in one other Batavia Downs appearance locked wheels and was taken out of the race.

Last, but not least, the 2-year-old pacers get their turn in race ten. Perhaps the most contentious of the four Fair Finals, this one figures to have handicappers scratching their heads. The solid field of eight has combined to win 32 races so far this season.

Post time for the opener is 6:40 p.m.

Listed below is the remaining Batavia Downs New York Sire Stakes schedule.

September 3
$8,000 County Fair Finals
2-Year-Old Pace
2-Year-Old Trot
3-Year-Old Pace
3-Year-Old Trot

September 4
$150,000 NY Sire Stake — 3-Year-Old Colt Pace

September 8
$130,000 NY Sire Stake — 2-Year-Old Filly Pace

September 10
$150,000 NY Sire Stake — 3-Year-Old Filly Trot
$12,500 NY Late Closer — 2-Year-Old Colt Pace

September 15
$12,500 NY Late Closer — 3-Year-Old Colt Trot

September 17
$150,000 NY Sire Stake — 3-Year-Old Filly Pace
$12,500 NY Late Closer — 3-Year-Old Filly Pace

September 18
$130,000 NY Sire Stake — 2-Year-Old Filly Trot
$150,000 NY Sire Stake — 3-Year-Old Colt Trot

September 21
$12,500 NY Late Closer — 2-Year-Old Colt Trot