BATAVIA — There had been about 40 dogs entered within the annual wiener canine races at Batavia Downs, with one competitor from Buffalo outracing the remaining.
An 8-year-old miniature dachshund named Frances, also referred to as Frannie, owned by Bernadette Hall of South Buffalo, completed the championship race first on Sunday afternoon.
“I’m surprised. It’s the first time we raced,” Hall mentioned. “We’ve been practicing every now and then with her running down a field. It’s the one trick she seems to do really well, with.”
The first-place prize was a free keep on the Hotel at Batavia Downs, meals and free play.
“It was cool to see all the dachshunds. They were really cute,” Hall mentioned. “It’s the first dog I’ve gotten as an adult. It was just fun to come and participate. This is the first time I’ve put her in anything, so we’ll probably be back next year.”
Batavia Downs Director of Marketing Ryan Hasenauer mentioned this occasion used to take place on the final Sunday in August, through the harness racing season, with the dogs taking the monitor after the final race.
”As the occasion grew in reputation, it grew to become evident that having it alongside dwell racing, with so many individuals on the apron, can be troublesome,” Hasenauer mentioned. “So we moved it to a non-race day and it proved to be a winning idea. We were able to utilize the track, inner track and greenspace and added activities, which allowed the large crowd to spread out.”
”With us transferring it to the autumn, we had been capable of additionally incorporate the free pumpkin giveaway alongside the occasion, making it extra enticing to households,” he mentioned.
