"It was a nice year of racing," said Buffalo Raceway General Manager Jon Cramer as he reflected back on the just completed 2026 live harness racing season.

"We had some new faces here this season along with regular horsepeople and they ran for some great purse money," added Cramer. "The fans and horsemen enjoyed the season making it a successful meet."

Looking ahead to 2027, Cramer said, "The biggest change coming next year is the elimination of the passing lane. We will open the live racing season in March of 2027."

There were four track records either tied or broken during the season and all came from trotters. The two-year-old gelded trotting record was equalled by Uncle Rob as Andy Miller steered him to a 2:00.3 victory on July 1. The three-year-old colt trotting mark was wiped away as Read The Room (Ake Svanstedt) cruised the mile in 1:55 on June 24. Crazy Ritz beat the aged (five years old and over) horse trotting standard with a 1:56.1 time on April 4 with James McNeight Jr. in the bike. On June 27, Shine All The Way tied the aged (five years old and over) gelding trotting mark as he buried it with a 1:56 clocking for David McNeight III.

On closing day this past Saturday, Buffalo Raceway handed out its year end awards. Infinity Stone took home the Trotter of the Meet award while Pacer of the Meet went to Make My Deo. Samuel Smith won his fourth consecutive training title at Buffalo Raceway and Drew Monti collected his second straight driving crown. 

A total of 65 different drivers had at least one trip around the Hamburg, New York half-mile oval with 40 of them getting a victory.

Post time favourites hit at a 43.28 clip this season at Buffalo Raceway.

The inside had the most victories with 177 coming from post one out of 714 races. The pylon starters hit the board in 2026 at 61.2 per cent. The four post was next with 127 victories while the eight-hole produced just 11 wins.

Buffalo Raceway's 2026 live racing season has now concluded and will return in March of 2027.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway; photo of Buffalo's 2026 leading driver Drew Monti)