From Harness Horse Breeders of
New York
Latham, NY--- In the past two years, five dilapidated old
barns have been replaced with 5 brand new gleaming barns. Major repairs to the
other existing barns include fresh paint; new roofs, stall repairs and a
complete refurbishing of an older barn have taken place. The entire stable area
has been covered with fresh blacktop. Ongoing drainage issues were addressed
and repairs made to eliminate water runoff problems. The track racing surface
has been improved with what Dave Dylo, track superintendent calls “The best
material he has seen in many years”. In addition, just recently, new state of
the art lights have been installed for the entire homestretch. This work
followed the building of the new paddock that opened in 2006, a project that
was headed by General Contractor, Peter Arrigenna, also the Vice President of
the Harness Horse Breeders of New York and a Western New York native. “It
is absolutely incredible to see the improvements made at Buffalo Raceway the
past few years,” said Arrigenna. “It is one of the very few harness
tracks in the country that has improved its stable area, which is now one of
the finest in the country.”
Buffalo Raceway has also improved the
patrons’ areas of the facility. Renovations were made in the clubhouse
and grandstand including the building of six new boxes; adding new televisions
with the most obvious change being a brand new video and sound system featuring
new graphics and speakers throughout the entire racing operation, complementing
the addition of popular announcer, Gabe Prewitt, a native of Kentucky, who had
been calling races at The Red Mile in Lexington for the past eight years.
A 2% Players Reward program continues to be well received in the
clubhouse. The results have been good with Buffalo Raceway’s handle
increasing over 60% nationwide since 2011.
“The horsemen have been the beneficiaries of
these changes including increased racing days and higher overnight purses,”
said Arrigenna. “Everyone is excited about the changes and how they are
treated when visiting Buffalo.”
While Buffalo Raceway management takes their
commitment to the local Horsemen and Patrons seriously their overall support to
the statewide harness racing industry is especially noteworthy.
Buffalo Raceway works in conjunction with the
Western NY Horsemen Association, Batavia Downs and the Agriculture and New York
State Horse Breeding Development Fund to co-sponsor scholarship races to
provide funds for ongoing educational opportunities to high school
seniors. While participating in the scholarship races the students are
also exposed to the Standardbred racing industry and learn how to care for
racehorses. They are also taught to drive the horses and then compete against
each other in a race for the scholarship money.
Buffalo Raceway has also supported the New
York Sire Stakes County Fair program by providing much needed saddle pads for
the entire statewide fair races.
Buffalo Raceway also works to promote the
harness horse racing industry by providing promotional giveaways and
information about the NY breeding program.
With tracks like Buffalo Raceway, New York
State will continue to be the premier place to race.
So, with the start of the New York Sire
Stakes rescheduled because of sickness and a state imposed quarantine it only
seems fitting for the season to begin at Buffalo Raceway.
In Race 8, Summertime Lea (2012 NYSS Champion
two year old pacing filly) will start off her 2013 NYSS campaign to become a
repeat Champion. If she can prevail she will be one of a select few that can
retain their form over two years. In 2012 Summertime Lea (Lislea) had nine
starts, finishing 1st in eight of them and 2nd in the other. She starts from
the rail.
Ballineen appears to be the most serious
threat to Summertime Lea’s attempt to retain her position. In her last 8 starts
she has not been worse than 3rd. Ballineen will leave from post 4.
Park N Orchard from post 7, fresh off of a
1:55.3 qualifying effort and Bettor Think Twice from post 5, who already has 2
wins in two starts have their work cut out for them.
Race 4 another NYSS is deep in talent.
Three of the eight entries competed in the 2012 NYSS Finals.
Brussels Hanover (Bettors Delight) finished
second to Summertime Lea in the 2012 final and amassed earnings of $143,647 returns
to NYSS action.
Hit the Curb (Art Major) another talented
filly earned $160,000 last year for W. Springtime Stable. She
appeared to tire late in 2012 but returns fresh here.
Silk Pajama’s also raced in the 2012 NYSS
final and earned $90,000 for co-owners, CE Zurich, EJ Gold and Purple Haze Stbs
LLC. She starts from post 3.
Purple Haze Stbs LLC. Is due for another good
one, will Silk Pajama’s be the one?
Cheyenne Miriam (Bettor’s Delight) has
blasted into 2013 and looks to be the one to beat in the first NYSS race of the
night.
Spell to Cast (American Ideal) raced
respectably last year and Linda Toscano always brings her horses ready to win.
From the rail she is a factor.
Social Scene (American Ideal) has been raced
very lightly but looks like the real deal.
She comes with trainer Casie Coleman, another
lady who can get the job done.
The 3 races Saturday are just the start of
the 2013 New York Sire Stakes season with stops at all 7 New York harness
tracks that will end September 28 with the Night of Champions at Yonkers
Raceway.
