Trot Insider has learned that Buffalo Raceway has cancelled racing for Wednesday, February 21, owing to fluctuating temperatures and heavy precipitation anticipated over the coming days.

Temperatures in Hamburg, N.Y. are expected to be in the 60s Fahrenheit (high teens Celsius) on Tuesday and Wednesday with heavy rain causing impossible racing conditions.

“I regret this decision and the circumstances causing the cancellations the past week. It has been a very difficult winter with multiple thaws followed by freezing temperatures. Where much of the cause is Mother Nature, I accept the responsibility for the well-being of racing operation that has impacted negatively on the employees, horsemen, and gaming commission employees,” said chief operating officer James Mango.

“After discussions with Bruce Tubin, President of WNYHHA, we have agreed to employ the services of Kim Crawford, renowned racetrack consultant, to come in this week to advise track management in its efforts to prepare the track to race this weekend. The track crew has worked 24 hours a day the past week to help alleviate the problem.”

The track is hopeful to resume racing operations on Friday (Feb. 23) with a first post at 5:00 p.m. The track will draw for Friday's races on Tuesday morning (Feb. 20).

(with files from Buffalo Raceway)