by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- When driver Frank Milby was looking for a place to compete during
the off season on the Maryland harness racing circuit, he decided his landing
spot would be Buffalo Raceway.
Frigid Western New York in the dead of winter? Why, Frank, why?
His response was very simple, "Why not?"
"I love to race and I felt Buffalo Raceway was the best fit
for me," Milby said. "I wanted to race when the Maryland tracks were
shut down. I looked around. I raced a few years ago at Vernon Downs (in the
summer months, however) and I liked it there. I knew a few people from Vernon
who are now racing at Buffalo Raceway so here I am."
The cold weather surprisingly hasn't affected Milby. "I was
worried about being cold at first but I actually haven't felt it that much.
I've stayed warm all the time. I'd love to drive all 13 races...the cold hasn't
bothered me at all."
While he has kept himself warm, he sure has made the tote board
red-hot thus far.
It didn't take Milby long to make himself known on the Western New
York scene as he won the first race of the 2015 campaign at Buffalo
Raceway when he guided Memumsnotnice to a $38.60 victory.
"Getting that win in the first race opening night took some of
the pressure off me," Milby admitted. "Being new here, you don't want
to wait to get that first one."
While posting the huge mutuel price on opening night, the
36-year-old Milby wasn't done yet. On Friday, January 23rd, he brought
Nineanddivine from the eight post to register a $186.00 win price. Currently,
Milby has six wins on the season at Buffalo with his average winner returning
$52.60 his backers.
"Just been lucky," Milby said about pulling the upsets
in the early part of the season. "I've been second call on some horses,
gotten some outside posts so I've been trying to keep them going to get the
owners a check. I've been fortunate enough to get some good trips and get the
win."
While driving just a handful of races in his career at Buffalo Raceway
for this winter, he was able to train a few horses the morning of opening night
to get a feel for the Hamburg half-mile oval. "I've found if you keep the
horse along the rail, the stretch is pretty long and you can make a move
there."
He said the people on the backstretch of Buffalo Raceway have been
great. "A lot of trainers have helped me out, especially Ron Van
Wagoner," he stated. "I am getting more drives and hopefully it
continues. I'd love to get 13 a night."
Milby also said of why the move to Buffalo Raceway. "I love
working with the babies, breaking them. But the owner I worked for didn't get
any this year so it kind of freed up my schedule."
He admitted he loved to drive the youngsters in the Sires Stakes and
is hoping for an opportunity this spring and summer arises. "I did well in
the New York Sire Stakes a few years back at Vernon Downs and if I stay here
all season, I'd love the chance race them here."
Milby is also approaching a career mark, that being 2,000 career
victories. He is just 13 away from that milestone.
"I know I am getting close but I am really not trying to pay
attention to it because if you do, you can start to over drive," he said.
"I am just going one race at a time and when it happens, it happens."
Milby started racing at Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland and has
competed at Chester, Colonial, Dover and Harrington Raceway. He's sitting on
1,987 career wins and has almost $10.5 million in lifetime earnings. Milby's
best season came in 2013 where he had 265 victories and $1.5 in earnings.
And his initial thoughts on the local harness racing scene after a
month, Milby was nothing but praise. "The people are great. The track is
good. I love Hamburg...it's a nice place. I live in the middle of nowhere in
Maryland so it's great here.
He also has liked the cuisine. Milby said, "I've had chicken
wings at three different spots and can't wait to try 'that sandwich'." The
sandwich he is referring to is 'beef on weck'.
As for the rest of the season, "I am going to play it by
ear," Milby said. "Whenever you have a job, you can always do better.
I think I am doing good now, but I definitely can do better. The big races are
on Tuesday in Maryland so I might be able to race there then come back here for
the rest of the week."
Milby did admit, however, that becoming a Bills' fan won't happen.
"Nope...A Ravens here...that won't change."
