by Todd Haight, marketing coordinator, Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — Three divisions of New York bred 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters, with purse money of $12,700 each, highlight the 12-race Wednesday evening (August 19) Batavia Downs Casino program. The action gets underway at 7:05 p.m.

Race two kicks off the Late Closing action. Aruba Vacation, by Dream Vacation, starts out at 5-2 on the morning line for trainer/driver Dan Daley. Aruba Vacation has earned over $7,300 after making four lifetime starts — three against New York Sire Stakes competition and one in the Tompkins-Geers at Tioga. Also entered is the locally owned Wrinkle This, a Wrinkle In Time colt who is already a three-time winner, his last victory coming at the Caledonia fairgrounds.

Division two is carded as race five. Another Dan Daley juvenile, Sun Island, figures to get most of the attention. The CR Excalibur gelding comes off a second place finish in a $30,786 NYSS event at Saratoga. George Ducharme, trainer of Downs 2-year-old track record holder Donttellmywife, sends out the Malabar Man colt He’smyman. Local reinsman Jack Flanigen will be at the controls.

Race ten will be the final Late Closer of the evening. Incentive Hall, fresh off a second place finish last Sunday afternoon in a $25,149 New York State Fair event, looks poised for a big effort. The Conway Hall colt is trained by Jim Mulcahy. Kevin Cummings will be back in the sulky.

Batavia Down Casino auction to benefit Mercy Flight

Sunday, August 30, will be a day for “winners and wieners” at Batavia Downs Casino.

Officially designated as “Family Fun Day,” an auction featuring a variety of items signed by NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and the wildly popular wiener dog races will highlight the day’s activities. All proceeds from the events will benefit the Batavia site of Mercy Flight of Western New York.

The auction will be held from noon to 5:00 p.m. in The Paddock Room on the lower level of The Downs. The autographed Kelly items include a #12 jersey, an official Jim Kelly Hall of Fame football and an official Bills helmet. They were donated by Thomas and Catherine Barzycki of Great Lakes Plastic in Buffalo.

A full matinee card of harness racing begins at 1:15. The popular wiener dog races follow the last race of the day, approximately 4:30 p.m. Eight wiener dogs will race in five heats with the top finisher from each heat competing in a five-way final. Owners of the top three finishers in the final will receive free play for Batavia Downs Casino. All participating dogs will receive “doggie bags” from Pet Supplies Plus, the official sponsor.

Batavia Downs Casino is also sponsoring a golf tournament to benefit Mercy Flight. It will be held at Terry Hills Golf Course on Wednesday, September 16.

Anyone wishing to donate items to the auction or learn more about the Family Fun Day events or the golf tournament may contact Promotional Marketing Specialist Todd Haight at (585) 343-3750 (Ext. 445).