Batavia, NY — Rocknroll Shelli got a perfect trip right to the stretch where she took the passing lane to victory in the $9,000 Open II-III Handicap pacing feature on opening day of the 2026 winter meet that greeted contestants with a good track and intermittent rain.  Rocknroll Shelli (Kyle Cummings) settled in second behind Way Too Sweet (Shawn Gray) who led the field to … Continue reading Rocknroll Shelli takes shortest route to Batavia feature win »

Batavia, NY — Live harness racing action returns to Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Jan. 13) as the 2026 winter meet gets underway at the oldest lighted harness track in North America. The January/February session will take place every Tuesday and Thursday through February 5, with post time at 3 p.m. This is the fourth year in a row that The Downs will host this overcoat meet and Nicolle … Continue reading Batavia Downs 2026 winter meet starts Tuesday »

Batavia, NY — The curtain fell on the 2025 summer/fall harness racing meet at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 20) and the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association doled out awards to the meet’s leading driver, trainer and horses in trackside presentations during the program.  Drew Monti was named the driver of the meet after he ran away with the … Continue reading Monti and Smith named Batavia Downs leading horsemen of the meet »

Batavia, NY — A shipper from Saratoga Raceway and a local 10-1 shot made up a pair of literal outsiders who captured easy wins in the closing night features on Saturday (Dec. 20) at Batavia Downs, while fighting near hurricane force wind gusts that plagued the entire card.  The $12,500 Open I-II Handicap pace was first to be contested and Spa invader, Hunter Hill, made … Continue reading “Outsiders” ran away with Batavia features on closing night »

Batavia, NY — The final night of racing for 2025 at Batavia Downs is this Saturday (Dec. 20) and the track is going out with a bang as they offer two carryover pools with huge guarantees and mandatory payouts for both, and featured in the first and last races of the night. After racing concluded on Wednesday (Dec. 17) without anyone hitting these wagers, there … Continue reading $20,000 in guaranteed pools with must-pays at Batavia Saturday »

Batavia, NY — When Joe Chindano Jr. won the seventh race at Batavia Downs with Mr. Cool Seaeyre N (2:04, $3.00) on Wednesday (Dec. 17) night, he registered his 1,000th career driving victory on a statement night that saw him win a total of four races.  Chindano was introduced to harness racing by his father, Joe Sr. and mother Theresa, who operate their own racing … Continue reading Joe Chindano Jr. gets 1,000th driving win at Batavia Downs »

Batavia, NY — With the 2025 summer/fall harness racing meet coming to a close at Batavia Downs, it’s time for the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association to once again name the top performers of the session during the UNY-USHWA Night of Distinction awards ceremony that will be held on Saturday (Dec. 20), which is the final night of racing … Continue reading Five horses vie for honors on “Showdown Saturday” at Batavia Downs »

Batavia, NY — After successful meetings with the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association, the Board of Directors of Western Regional Off Track Betting have announced that they will host live winter racing at Batavia Downs in January and February for the fourth straight year. The eight day meet will be conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting on Tuesday (Jan. 13) and ending on Thursday … Continue reading Batavia Downs announces 2026 winter racing dates »

Batavia, NY — The card of racing scheduled for Wednesday (Dec. 10) evening at Batavia Downs was canceled due to adverse weather conditions leading to unsafe racing conditions. Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 13) at 5 p.m. There are only three days of racing left in the 2025 summer/fall meet that concludes on Saturday (Dec. 20).  By Tim Bojarski for … Continue reading Wednesday racing cancelled at Batavia Downs »

Batavia, NY — When Kevin Cummings won with Tymal Envoy (1:58, $5.08) in the ninth race at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 6) night, he registered the 5,000th win of his illustrious 36 year career.  Cummings comes from a family steeped in harness racing lineage. His father John Cummings Sr. and brothers John Cummings Jr., Tony Cummings and Todd Cummings all trained and drove at … Continue reading Kevin Cummings gets his 5,000th driving win at Batavia Downs »