by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- The Covid-19 pandemic threw a monkey wrench into every race track's season with Buffalo Raceway being no exception.
Closing from March 14 until June 3, Buffalo Raceway did get in 28 live race dates out of the 66 that were scheduled and performed quite well considering.
"It was a trying meet but overall was successful," Buffalo Raceway Operations Director Jon Cramer said. "We were off to a great start until the pandemic forced us to close. Thanks to the support of everyone, we were able to open quickly and maintained a safe and clean environment. We could not have done it without the cooperation from the New York State Gaming Commission, the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association, all of the horsemen, staff and our fans."
Cramer stated that before the shutdown, the daily average on track wagering was up 10 percent and were looking forward to spectators returning. For the season, pool totals were up 50 percent with much of the increase coming in June and July.
Billy Davis Jr. captured his second consecutive Buffalo Raceway driving title and his third straight on the Western New York circuit. He collected 70 wins on the season and earned $376,644 in purse earnings. He easily beat out David McNeight III who finished second with 41 victories.
"It's nice to win it again," Davis Jr. said. "I was consistent throughout the year and it helped teaming up with trainers Maria Rice and Sabrina Shaw who had some good horses for me to drive."
Davis Jr. said of the layoff, "I'll tell you I was chomping at the bit to get back. After the first night coming back, I was a little sore the next morning."
Maria Rice took her first training title ever and stated, "I never thought it was possible until a couple of years ago. It's pretty cool to win it, I'm not gonna lie."
Since arriving on the Western New York circuit seven years ago, Maria and her husband Jack have 23 horses in their barn which made winning a championship more realistic.
"We've been in this for some years now and when we first started out we had like seven horses and we shipped all over," Rice said. "We never thought of winning a title because of that. The past few years, when you have 23 horses, you think about winning the title a little but never think it is possible."
She went on to say, "When the pandemic hit, it was business as usual for us. We didn't have to lay off anyone and our horses stayed fit and happy."
Rice finished the meet with 39 victories, a UTR of .353 and $242,962 in purse earnings. She beat trainer Gerry Sarama by 14 victories, 39-25
Davis Jr., who was the 'first call' driver for the Rice barn said, "It's great that Maria won the trainer's title and it's nice to be able to share it with her."
In the 'Pacer Of The Meet' competition, Daylight Rush took the top honors for the 2020 campaign.
Since returning to the track after the pause on June 6, Daylight Rush had three wins and four seconds in his seven starts. His four runner up finishes were less than two lengths combined.
With a seasonal mark of 1:55, the 7-year-old gelded Daylight Rush (Art Colony-Pass With Caution) is owned by Cassandra Johnson and was trained and driven by David McNeight III. He completed the Buffalo meet with $28,850 in earnings and has a career bankroll of $247,334.
There was little doubt who the 'Trotter Of The Meet' was going to be as Bred For Greatness was just great all season long.
Winning seven times in nine starts against the top level sidewinders, Bred For Greatness earned $39,315 on the year, by far the highest purse earnings at the track for either gait. He enjoyed a four-race win streak until July 8 when Victoria Swan pinned a three-length loss on him.
Co-owned by trainer Michael Ohol and Steven Gross, Bred For Greatness (Federal Flex-Wendy Woo) had Jim Morrill Jr. and Kevin Cummings share the driving duties. The 6-year-old gelding had a seasonal mark of 1:58.1 and has produced $125,596 in lifetime earnings.
In race statistics, the post time favorite won at a clip of 40.17 percent while the one spot had the most victories with 84 in 356 races while the four post was next with 68.
Live racing is tentatively to resume in January 2021. Simulcasting in the clubhouse will remain closed until January 1, 2021.
For more information including the latest news, race replays, entries and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
