by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Buffalo Raceway will open the 2020 season
on Wednesday night (Jan. 29) with a 13-race program that gets underway at 5
p.m.
It will be a busy week at the half-mile oval located at the
Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg as there will be lots for the fans to look
forward to during opening week.
Wednesday's opener will feature a $2,500 Guaranteed Pick-5
which begins in the second race. There will also be free programs and a 2020
season magnet giveaway.
In the Winner's Circle Cafe, personal pan pizzas will just
be $5 and patrons can also taste the new philly cheese steak and meatball
hoagies.
When the action returns on Saturday (Feb. 1) with a 6 p.m.
start time, the popular 'Lucky Exacta' contest returns as each fan will receive
two ceramic Buffalo Raceway coasters along with an exacta combination. Should
your exacta come in, you'll spin the prize wheel to win free wagers on the last
race of the night. The coasters will also have $5 in free play from Hamburg
Gaming.
While the fans will be treated off track, it's back to
business for drivers and trainers.
Billy Davis Jr., who swept the driving titles last season at
Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs with 119 and 131 victories respectively, will
be busy as he is scheduled to drive in 12 of the 13 events.
"I had a very good meet last year," Davis Jr. said
in looking back on 2019. "I am hoping to build off that and have another
good run."
He went on to say about the early part of the season
stating, "It's always difficult to know how the opening days of racing
meets can go but I am very confident in my trainers and their horses. It would
be great to start the season off with a bang."
James Clouser Jr. returns after he claimed the training
crowns at both Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs in 2019. He had 56 winners at
Buffalo Raceway last season and added 51 more at Batavia Downs. He'll send a
pair out on the opening night program.
Maria Rice, who was the runner up behind Clouser Jr. in both
Western New York meets last year, hopes to jump start her season as she drew
into six races on the Wednesday night card.
The main event on the slate is the $13,000 Open Trot that
drew the likes of 2019 Buffalo Raceway 'Trotter of the Year' Wheels A Turning
and Lougazi. The sub features include the $10,000 Class A Trot and the $10,000
Class A Pace for the filly and mares.
Racing will be held on Wednesday evenings beginning at 5
p.m. while Saturday nights will have a 6 p.m. post. Action returns on Friday
starting on April and will have a 5 p.m. start time.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, entries, results, upcoming promotions and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
