Provenzano was elected president of the Genesee Monroe Racing Association. Provenzano borrowed money and bought out stockholder William Weisman, a New York City attorney, for $15,000.

The season was cancelled in 19 because of war travel restrictions. In 1941, Batavia Downs opened to an estimated crowd of about 4,000 and a handle of $20,231. Crowds of more than 2,500 attended and $10,411 was wagered on the first card. In 1940, Batavia Downs opened pari-mutuel racing at 8:20 PM on September 20, 1940. Harold Wishman, William Zimmer, Arthur Martin and Frederick Strohm were stockholders in the Monroe-Genesee Breeders Association, a predecessor to the Genesee-Monroe Racing Association, which rented the Genesee County Fairgrounds for racing. In 1939, William 'Lefty' Goldberg and others chose Batavia, halfway between Buffalo and Rochester, for par-mutuel wagering on horse races. It opened on September 20, 1940, and is the oldest lighted harness racetrack in the United States. It is located in Genesee County between Buffalo and Rochester just off of the New York State Thruway ( Interstate 90).

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