by Brian J. Mazurek, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — The 2013 summer-fall meet at Batavia Downs heads into the fall portion of the schedule with live harness racing now being conducted on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Post time is 6:30 p.m. There is one more matinee scheduled this season at America’s oldest light harness track, taking place on Columbus Day.

The guaranteed $3,000 Pick-4 is becoming a very popular wager on Wednesday nights at Batavia Downs and it will continue this week and throughout the entire month of September thanks to the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program, Batavia Downs and the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association. Last week, the pool went well above the $3,000 guaranteed mark and it is expected to climb over that total again.

The Pick-4 wager begins in the third race and can be bet with a 50 cent minimum. As an added bonus, if you are on track and wager $10 or more on the Pick-4 at one time, you will receive a $10 voucher for free play on the Batavia Downs video lottery terminals. It’s a great way to take a chance on hitting the Pick-4 and then taking free shots on the VLT machines and their jackpots.

Program pages for the Pick-4 races are available free through the USTA website.

The feature race of the night, the $6,700 Open II Pace for fillies and mares, will start the Pick-4 sequence. The Mistress, with leading driver Greg Merton, starts from the rail in the field of eight and they are tabbed the 5-2 morning line favorite.

Racing Wednesday night kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a 12-race card. The entire program will be broadcast on Time-Warner Cable, Channel 98 in Rochester and the surrounding area. Track announcer Joe Zambito and Ashley Holliday co-host the telecast.

For more information, including upcoming promotions, race replays, selections and the latest news, go to bataviadownsgaming.com/live-racing.