by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Buffalo Raceway begins its 75th
anniversary harness racing season on Wednesday, January 11 and will celebrate
in various ways throughout the 90-day meet until closing day on Sunday, July
23.
The new season will bring some changes both on and off the
track at the Hamburg half-mile oval which is located on the Erie County
Fairgrounds.
"We are looking forward to the upcoming season and
creating more winners," Buffalo Raceway Director of Operations Jon Cramer
said as the track preps for the 75th season.
Buffalo Raceway will have a post of 5 p.m. on Wednesday and
Friday evenings while Saturday's program will get underway at 6 p.m. Matinee
racing will begin June 18 with a 12:30 p.m. start. There's a special 7 p.m.
post when thoroughbred's Triple Crown races are contested.
Racing fans can expect four new barns to make their debut
this season with George Anthrop, Kim Asher, Joe Skowyra and Bo Sowers all
coming in during the campaign.
They can expect to tussle with JD Perrin who remains at
the top of the list for local conditioners. He posted his third consecutive
training title at Buffalo Raceway last season, rolling up 106 victories.
Perrin has won six straight crowns on the Western New York circuit between
the Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs.
There is one new driver confirmed for 2017 and that is Larry
Stalbaum who joined the Western New York driving colony at Batavia Downs
mid-season.
Stalbaum finished with 32 victories in 175 starts at Batavia
Downs but will have to deal with the likes of defending Buffalo Raceway
champion Jim Morrill Jr., reigning Batavia Downs leader Drew Monti and the
always dangerous Kevin Cummings.
Monti has been competing at the Meadowlands during the
hiatus in Western New York and is looking forward to the upcoming campaign.
"It's been unbelievable racing at the
Meadowlands," a confident Monti said. "I'm looking for another good
year in 2017 and hopefully the momentum I had at Batavia and the Meadowlands
will carry over to Buffalo Raceway. I started slow last season at Buffalo so
hopefully I will get off to a better start."
Off the track, Buffalo Raceway patrons will notice a updated
look in the clubhouse with new table and chairs, the addition of several 50-inch
televisions and other cosmetic changes.
Cramer said, "I think patrons will enjoy the updated
clubhouse and it will make their evening pleasant."
Wayne Teaven will be handling the race calling duties
full-time for the 2017 season after announcing part of 2016.
"This is definitely a dream of mine," Teaven said
about getting the full-time position. "Buffalo Raceway has a lot of rich
history and I am glad to be a part of the 75th anniversary season. I am
definitely looking forward to it."
The wagering menu has some slight modifications this season
as Buffalo Raceway will offer a Pick-5, Pick-4, a pair of Pick-3s, three daily
doubles along with the standard win, place, show, exacta, trifecta and
superfecta bets.
Opening week will be busy with a free magnetic schedule
giveaway on Wednesday night, the 2016 Awards presentation along with the always
popular fish fry dinner on Friday while Saturday evening, a commemorative 75th
Anniversary Lucky Exacta Coin will be handed out.
On the back of the coin will be two numbers representing an
exacta for races 2 through 10. If your coin has the winning exacta number,
you'll spin the Wheel of Cash to determine how much in free wagers you will be
given to bet on in the 12th race, the 75th Anniversary Year Pace.
If the 7-5 exacta comes in on any race, the lucky holders
will spin the wheel for double the amount. You can win on multiple races plus
all fans receive $10 in free play at Hamburg Gaming.
Starting on Saturday, January 21 and continuing every
Saturday throughout the meet is the Winter Winner's Circle Contest. Fill out an
entry and drop it into the box of the horse you think will win the ninth race.
A slip will be drawn from the winning horse's entry box with $50 in Buffalo
Raceway wagers going to the lucky fan. They'll also be eligible for the March
25th final with a chance to collect $250 in wagers.
All entrants will also receive $5 in free play at Hamburg
Gaming.
For more information on Buffalo Raceway including the latest
news, race replays, results and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
