 |
|
Horses will be rearing to go at Buffalo Raceway
in January.
(Photo by Paul White)
|
Two
new barns have been built replacing older barns B and C, plus major repairs to
all the existing barns including a “gutting” and rebuilding of Barn J have
taken place. More blacktopping, new roofs, painting, and stall repairs have
been done in every barn. The racing surface has been improved with what Mr.
Mango calls “The best material I’ve seen in many years”. A 2% Players
Reward program continues to be well received in the clubhouse, and the Café
style food service, “The Winners Circle”, will feature four major entrees on
weekends including the popular fish fry on Fridays, giving patrons the option
to buy food at all times without delay.
The
most obvious and significant change will be a brand new video and sound system,
featuring new graphics and speakers throughout the entire racing operation. “It
should add to the presentation of our product across the entire nation
complementing the return of Gabe Prewitt, who I consider to be the best harness
racing announcer in the country,” said Mango. Prewitt is a native of Kentucky,
and has been calling races at The Red Mile in Lexington for the past eight
years. He will have increased duties in 2013, producing a weekly in house
television show, and working in the marketing and publicity department.
Returning
as Race Secretary is Ginny Rosenfeld, who has worked as the assistant Race
Secretary at Batavia Downs for the last decade. “I am very excited to be
at Buffalo Raceway for my second year, and look forward to writing race cards
with the increased purses,” said Rosenfeld. Purses are being increased by
10% daily in 2013.
The
racing schedule will be similar to that in 2012, opening Wednesday January 9
with a fleece blanket giveaway. It will start with a Wednesday, Friday,
Saturday format. The post time for Wednesdays will be 5:00 pm; and Fridays and
Saturdays will be at 6:40. Thursdays are added in April. Sunday afternoon
racing, which is very popular, will return in June and July.
Buffalo
Raceway is pleased to announce that they have joined with the USTA Strategic
Wagering offering a guaranteed $5,000 Pick 4 wagering pool every Wednesday in
January, February and March. Quickly becoming a favorite bet for most bettors,
it gives the patron a chance to win big money by picking the four winners of
the designated races. Also offered beginning opening day will be a
guaranteed $5,000 Pick 7 payout. Saturday’s in February will feature the
popular “Niatross Knockout Series” for 4000 claimers.
On
the racing side, driver Shawn Gray will defend his title as the dash leader in
2012 with 206 victories winning a Buffalo Raceway record $1,055,064 in purses,
50 wins ahead of second place finisher Dan Noble. Jim Graham was the
leading trainer with 83 wins earning $334,142 in purses.
Buffalo
Raceway is located on The Fairgrounds in Hamburg, New York. Admission and
parking are always free to the Raceway, for all ages. Reservations for live racing nights can be made by calling
716-649-1280 ext 300.
Seasonal
harness racing takes place January through July Wednesday at 5:00 pm, Friday
and Saturday at 6:40 pm. Simulcast wagering from across North America is
available year round Wednesday through Sunday. For more information visit
www.buffaloraceway.com or call (716) 649-1280.
