Sep 8, 2018
SCHENECTADY — The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund Friday announced Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel as the host of the 2019 New York Sire Stakes Finals, also known as the “Night of Champions.” The fund’s Board of Trustees selected Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel at a scheduled board meeting that afternoon, following a proposal submission process. The date for the 2019 Finals has not been set.
The Development Fund invited racetracks from across New York state which host New York Sire Stakes events to submit proposals. Tracks were considered on various criteria, including the offering of a 24-hour detention barn, ability to promote the event and offer an exciting fan experience. Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel was chosen based on the merits of its proposal and its capacity to host the championship finals for the top state-bred 2 and 3-year-old Standardbred horses.
“Batavia Downs Gaming is extremely proud and excited to have been selected to host the 2019 New York Sire Stakes Finals,” said Todd Haight, director/GM of live racing at Batavia Downs Racetrack. “This series has annually been a centerpiece of our live racing presentation since its inception in 1965, as our track has been so committed to the development of New York-bred horses going back to the 1950s when we facilitated our own colt and filly stakes.”
The 2018 “Night of Champions” is scheduled for Sept. 22, hosted by Yonkers Raceway. The eight race event will hand out $1.8 million in purse money.
The New York Sire Stakes program promotes the breeding, buying and racing of Standardbred horses in New York State, and is administered by the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund. It was the first program of is kind, featuring 2- and 3-year old colts and fillies, and has become the model for state-bred racing programs in North America.
