by Brian J. Mazurek, for
Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, NY --- It
may be early January in Western New York but things will be heating up at
Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday, January 8th as the 99-day 2014 harness racing
season opens up at the half-mile oval, located at the Erie County
Fairgrounds in Hamburg.
Buffalo Raceway has reaped the
benefits of early-season racing in recent years and Chief Operating Officer Jim
Mango said the track needs to take advantage of it once again.
"We've had such good success
the past few seasons with racing in January, February and March," Mango
said. "We are one of the few tracks who are still willing
to race then...it gives us great exposure and brings in some good drivers
and horses."
Mango pointed out that Buffalo
Raceway's export signal attracted $10.3 million in handle in 2011 and
$15.3 million in 2013.
"That's a 50 percent growth
since 2011," Mango said. "Part of the success goes to the
relationship we have with our guest sites, and getting us national outlets like
Twin Spires and TVG."
Mango went on to say, "The
winter racing is well received by the horsemen and it gives drivers from the
East some opportunities. We have had a pretty good driver's colony here the
first few months the past few seasons and I don't see any reason that won't
happen again this year. There should be some fierce competition."
Buffalo Raceway will race on
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights in January. Post time is 5 p.m. on
Wednesdays and 6:40 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. In February and
March, Thursdays will be added with 5 p.m start time.
"We've had reasonable
success on Thursdays but we are starting it in February this year and hope to
take advantage of a lull in racing across the country," Mango said.
"The 5 p.m. post time...there's not much competition and we are trying to
take advantage of it, and there seems to be plenty of horses to race."
Mango went on to say,
"Mickey Mantle will never hit another home run again and we know we'll
never attract the crowds like we did back in the 1960s. It's just the reality.
Horse racing is all simulcast-based now and we have to realize it."
While Mango admits wagering
on-line continues to grow, Buffalo Raceway will do some promotions to bring
fans in. "We got sports giveaways this year...hockey pucks, baseballs,
basketballs, footballs with our logo on it. We are trying to add a little fun
for those coming out."
The track continues to improve
its backstretch and something that Mango is very extremely proud of.
"There's not anyone that isn't impressed with our barns or
state-of-the-art paddock. I will argue with anyone that we have the best
backstretch in the country, thoroughbred or harness racing."
"We've honored our
commitment to New York State as a race track and gaming facility," Mango
said. "A lot of tracks across the country have ignored
the stable area. We thought it a necessary improvement. I
hear from horsemen daily who say they can't wait to get back to
Buffalo because of the back side."
Buffalo Raceway has filled the
more than 400 stalls on the grounds for 2014 and as Mango put it, "We
could have easily filled over 600. That's why we race as much in the winter as
we have a lot of people who want to compete."
Besides the impressive barns and
paddock, the track has improved its track lighting this season which will only
help the simulcast signal. With new graphics and cameras installed last season,
Buffalo Raceway is ready to compete with the best in the country in
distributing the best signal possible.
Mango added that the track is
better than ever with more material put down and turns are properly banked.
"It is a daunting task to keep the track in racing shape during the
winter months in Western New York. I think that our track
crew does a pretty good job."
The fans will also notice a
change in the race calls. Michael Carter takes over the announcer's booth as
previous caller Gabe Prewitt is now at Pompano Park in Florida.
Ray Fisher Jr. will return to defending
his 2013 driving title at Buffalo Raceway. He was named "Driver of the
Year" in Western New York after his second place finish in the standings
at the recently completed Batavia Downs meet.
Drivers coming in for the first
few months aren't known yet, but it is expected that drivers from Saratoga and
Vernon will once again compete. Mango said nothing is definite but has heard
Shawn Gray may also "pop in on weekends" to race. Also back
will be perennial leading drivers Dave McNeight III, Kevin Cummings,
Jack Flanigen, Ron Beback Jr. and Jim McNeight.
Expect the trainer's battle to a
good one as well with J.D. Perrin the reigning champion at Buffalo Raceway.
John Mungillo took the title at Batavia Downs and should arrive with a powerful
stable once again. Jim Graham and David McNeight Jr. are also top
conditioners expected to arrive with strong stables.
On the wagering side, the
highlight once again will be the $5,000 Guaranteed Pick-4 every Wednesday
starting in the fifth race. The guaranteed pool is part of the United States
Trotting Association's Strategic Wagering Program. It is also co-sponsored by
Buffalo Raceway and the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association.
Mango said in closing, "I
think the past few years our racing product and competition has
improved. People have seen what we've had to offer and it's helped us."
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.
