Racino To The Rescue !
Batavia Downs LogoBatavia Downs, opened in 1940 as a lighted nighttime harness racing facility, located on the old Genesee County Fair Grounds site in Batavia. The track is a half mile oval, located between Buffalo and Rochester. Batavia Downs actually went out of business in the nineties, before returning to live racing in 2002 with the prospect of casino wagering on the horizon. In 2005 VLT's became a reality for Batavia Downs. The track has a glass enclosed grandstand and clubhouse, with an additional covered open air seating area. There is parking for 1,900 cars and the stable area has stalls for around 800 horses.
Only 7 Days LeftBatavia Downs has had a checkered past dating back to 1940 when it was on of the first harness track to run under the lights. It was also the only track in the history of New York State to have it's license revoked.
The track also survived a devastating fire and multiple closures before being rescued by a racino style format.
I first visited Batavia Downs in 1978 when times were good. I remember a packed racetrack on that Saturday night. I also remember many drives to Buffalo passing a decaying closed racetrack which you could see from the New York Thruway. If not for a racino format I never would have been able to return to Batavia Downs. It won't take long to realize that racing is only secondary at Batavia, as you walk in. As you enter the building bright light beckon you to the casino area, but if it's racing your after your diverted to a little door where you enter an area that looks like it's from the forties. This space has betting terminals with a simulcast area. The only redeeming factor for me was outside on the apron, with plenty of seating right next to the action. There is also a great little stand where you can get an awesome sausage hoagie, but get in line early because they sell out fast.
Batavia continues to run a split schedule with Buffalo Raceway. Racing is conducted through the summer into the late fall. In 2020, like most other tracks Batavia Downs will run without spectators, there is a loophole but it will cost you.
In 2016, a 84 room hotel was added to the track, well to the casino. Somehow they squeezed this thing in, between the track and the road that goes by the track. I would guess half the rooms overlook the track, on the lower floors you could probably carry on a good conversation with the drivers, your so close. Here's the loophole you can't go to the track but you can go to the hotel. I don't know about betting, you'll probably need an online account, no problem the rooms have free Wi-Fi. So for a couple of hundred a night you can sit outside your room and lose more money. Oh! did I mention the bad news, the hotel is completely blacked out and you can't go if you wanted to. Well maybe in 2021, lets hope.