Lucrative claiming championships at Batavia

Batavia, NY—The harness racing action will be fast and furious among the local horsemen and women this weekend as there will be total purses of $176,600 distributed among the 13 races at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 11), making it the largest pool of cash to be distributed among the local racing community this year on a non-New York Sire Stake card.

The reason for the increased purse is the seven final legs of the Claiming Championship Series that have been going on the entire meet.

Since the beginning of the season, mid-level claimers accumulated points throughout the year and those who were highest in their divisions became eligible for championship final purses. Divisions contested included $4,000, $5,000-$6,000 and $8,000-$10,000 claimers on the pace and $4,000-$5,000 and $7,500-$10,000 claimers on the trot. Points were awarded to the top-five finishers of each race and accrued all year.

On Saturday, the $4,000 and $4,000-$5,000 categories will compete for $15,000 in their respective finals and all other categories will vie for $20,000.

The first four finals are carded as races one through four which are four of the five, early Pick-5 wager races. The final three divisions go as races 10 through 13 which include the late Pick-3. There are also eight stable entries within the seven races and that will make the wagering both interesting and challenging.

"This is always a very exciting night of racing in Western New York. It's for the bread and butter of our industry; the claimers" said Joe Zambito, Race Secretary and Race Caller at Batavia Downs. "I'm not sure where you can race $4,000 to $10,000 claimers year round and have the opportunity to race for purses like ours."

Also on Saturday's card are the weekly featured paces comprised of the $10,000 Open, $9,000 Open II and $8,500 Open III.

Post time for the first race on Saturday is 6 p.m.