by Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — There are many promotions and schedule changes at Batavia Downs over the next nine days and here is a look at the line-up.

This Saturday (Oct. 6) has an early post of 4:45 p.m. and promises a full night of entertainment. The featured race on the live racing card is the $15,000 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot, named for the long-time western New York trainer/driver whose specialty was diagonal-gaited Standardbreds. Schroeder raced some of the best trotters of his era at Batavia Downs and even competed in the 1993 Hambletonian with Collier St Joey.

Among the entrants of that race is the French-bred trotter Bioness (Sam Bourbon-Quiradelle D’hilly) who was purchased and imported this spring through the French American Trotting Club program developed by the Standardbred Owners Association of New York. Since coming to the U.S. Bioness has won three out of seven starts, taking a mark of 1:54.3 at Pocono and has earned $88,970 in the process.

Fans attending the races Saturday can take advantage of the Match Play promotion. Wager a minimum of $25 with a mutuel clerk on any Batavia Downs Gaming live harness race at the same time between 4:30-7 p.m. and receive $25 in gaming free play.

After the races on Saturday, there will be a live tribute concert to American Graffiti in the Paddock Room. Tickets are $10 and seating is on a first come basis.

Then on Columbus Day Monday (Oct. 8) enjoy the Batavia Downs annual matinee racing card with a special 1:15 p.m. post. Purchase a chicken barbecue (provided by the Center Street Smoke House) for $10.95 from noon to 3 p.m. in the clubhouse and receive $10 in gaming free play.

If chicken isn’t your pleasure there will also be $1 Sahlen’s hot dogs, draft beer and soda at the Homestretch Grill and on the apron from noon until after the last race. All live racing programs will also be only $1.

Then there is a schedule change that needs to be noted. There will be no racing on Wednesday (Oct. 10) and Thursday (Oct. 11). Wednesday was canceled due to a lack of horses and Thursday was simply moved to Saturday (Oct. 13), which was not originally scheduled. Saturday’s post time will be 4:15 p.m.

Friday (Oct. 12) will remain as scheduled with a 6 p.m. post time.

Saturday (Oct. 13) will feature a special Texas Barbecue in the clubhouse with pulled pork and chicken and all the fixings to go along with it for only $16.95. And everyone buying the barbecue will receive $15 in gaming free play. The clubhouse and buffet both open at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information on live racing at Batavia Downs please log on to www.bataviadownsgaming.com.