When the Billings members, who came from far and wide, made a recent visit to Buffalo Raceway after a hiatus of some seven years and it was an eye popping experience.
According to
Tony Verruso, president of the Billings Series, the overall improvements to the
racetrack and the "quick start" away from the gate instituted was
immediately noticed.
“I was told
that General Manager James Mango has made many changes at Buffalo and that
he has become deeply immersed in doing whatever possible to insure that
racing is conducted at a very high standard.”
Verruso said.
“We were
thankful for the chance to return to this historic half mile oval which was
established back in 1941 and became the second night time pari-mutuel
harness facility only weeks behind the former Roosevelt Raceway.”
Verruso added
that the Billings races were very well received by the trainers who entered
their horses for the Billings races and the bettors wagered nicely on the two
events.
Besides the
track innovations, the Society, along
with the Western NY Harness Horsemen's Association under its President and USTA
director Bruce Tubin, have invested in the improvements.
“Increasing
race days and developing a healthy simulcasting market in winter months are
among our added improvements. Jim (Mango) is proud of what is going on at
Buffalo and prouder still is the desire of the Society and our Buffalo horsemen
to keep the sport going while continuing to invest,” Tubin said.
“Buffalo's
parent company, the Erie County Agricultural Society, has been true to its
commitment to racing's future as well as promoting its Video Lottery Terminals. We cooperated in the building of a
new paddock with spacious and clean stalls and a very nice viewing area. Buffalo Raceway is making the
kind of investment in the future of racing that hopefully will increase racing
revenue, “Tubin added.
“It was great
to see all the brand new barns and improved facilities on Buffalo's backstretch
and it (the backstretch) quite possibly could be the best in New York State,”
Verruso added. “And the ship-in facilities are excellent with each horse having
a designated stall with their name on it. That’s first class.”
Perhaps the
most impressive part of Verruso’s trip to Buffalo Raceway, besides racing over the
refurbished oval, was
the fact that Jim Mango took time from his busy schedule to spend
some time with the Billings participants.
“I was
told that in his thirty seven years as a racing executive only once has he
ever left his post at the track before the conclusion of a racing card and that
was to show some kindness to us, the returning Billings
participants,” Verruso said.
