by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Buffalo Raceway is in full preparation
mode as the 2018 season gets into gear on Friday, January 12 with a 5 p.m. post
time. Opening weekend will continue on Saturday at 6 p.m. in kicking off the
88-day schedule which concludes on Saturday, July 21.
"Fans should once again expect some solid and exciting
races this year," Buffalo Raceway Operations Director Jon Cramer said of
the upcoming campaign.
The harsh weather conditions in the Western New York in the
past few weeks hasn't slowed down the half-mile oval from getting into racing
shape. "We put material down on the track in the fall." Cramer said.
"Track Superintendent Dave Dylo and his crew have been getting it ready the
past week. Besides the track, they also have been busy removing snow from the
barn areas."
With the extremely frigid and snowy conditions recently,
Cramer said it's business as usual at the track located at the Erie County
Fairgrounds in Hamburg. "It's not the norm but it is Buffalo winter
weather."
Opening weekend will feature free programs on Friday evening
along with $3 off the popular fish fry dinner while on Saturday night,
customers get $3 off the home style turkey dinner in the Winner's Circle Cafe.
The evening also will feature the return of the Lucky Exacta
contest where patrons will receive a collectible Buffalo Raceway magnet with
an exacta combination on the back of it. Should that exacta come in,
winners will get to spin the wheel to collect up to $100 in free wagers. Also,
all fans will get $10 in free play at Hamburg Gaming included with the magnet.
The Pick-5 wager will return with the sequence beginning in
the second race each night. There's a 50-cent minimum wager and should no one
hit it, there will be a carryover into the next night's card.
Buffalo Raceway has also instituted a new claiming rule for
the 2018 season. Should a horse be claimed out of a race at Buffalo Raceway,
that horse can only race at Buffalo Raceway until the end of the meet.
Post time on Wednesday and Friday evenings will be 5 p.m
with the start time on Saturday evenings beginning at 6 p.m. There will be a
special 7 p.m. post on May 5, May 19 and June 9 to accommodate the Triple Crown
races. Sunday afternoon action will commence on June 17 with a 12:30 post.
The draw for opening night will be on Tuesday, January 9.
