Buffalo Raceway has announced that it will feature new first-race post times for its upcoming 90-date meet which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 13.
First-race post time for Buffalo’s Wednesday night cards will remain at 5 p.m., but Friday evening programs will now begin at 5 p.m. as well. The action on Saturdays moves to 6 p.m. and when Sunday afternoon racing commences on June 19, the horses will be off at 12:30 p.m. The season will end on July 24.
"We changed the first post because the export business will be better," said Buffalo Raceway Operations Director Jon Cramer. "We've found that earlier is better."
Another major change the fans will notice is the race announcer. Peter Berry, who has called the races at Mountaineer Park since 2004, will be behind the microphone until mid-April when the West Virginia Thoroughbred track reopens.
"Peter is an A+ announcer by anyone's standards and we are pleased to have him here," Buffalo Raceway Chief Operation Officer Jim Mango said. "He's a world-class announcer and a major addition for us. We are thrilled."
The track itself continues to be upgraded as another 2,000 tons of material was added to the 6,000 tons put down last season.
"We continue work on the race track and high grades on that go to the track crew," Cramer said. "It's a difficult job to keep the track like that in the winter."
The backstretch area continues to get rave reviews according to Mango. "We continue to get great comments on the barn area and I think it's the finest stable area in harness racing."
Buffalo Raceway filled over the 300 stalls on-track that were available.
Racing behind the trotters and pacers will include Kevin Cummings who will be back in search of his third consecutive driving title. He registered 202 victories in 2015 at Buffalo Raceway, just missing the all-time mark set by Jim Morrill Jr. of 214 in 2006.
Some others ready to take a shot at the driver's crown will be the 'Young Guns' consisting of Drew Monti, David McNeight III and Shawn McDonough. Monti finished in second place last year in wins with 140.
On the trainers’ side, JD Perrin returns and will be looking for his fourth straight championship. He posted 70 victories last year and is fresh off winning the title at Batavia Downs.
John Mungillo, David McNeight Jr. and James Clouser Jr. will also have strong barns and look to break Perrin's streak. Craig Gilmour's barn makes its first appearance at Buffalo Raceway after competing at Batavia Downs in the fall.
The Niatross Knockout Claiming Series, a favourite among the fans, owners, trainers and drivers, will also return in 2016, starting on Saturday, February 6. It's a chance for lower-priced claiming pacers to move up and win some nice purses but face the possibility of being taken at a higher tag as the series moves along or being eliminated if they don't finish in the top four. The finals are scheduled for Saturday, February 27.
A new wrinkle added to the racing menu as well is the 'Buffalo Raceway Claiming Championships' which will be contested throughout the meet. The first half will run from opening night until Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday, May 7 and the second half goes from Derby Day until Saturday, July 23.
"There are seven different divisions and every time you race in a specific claiming level, either a boy or girl, pacer or trotter, you'll will accumulate points just like the purse structure is broken down...50 points for a win, 25 points for second and so on," stated Buffalo Raceway Race Secretary Tom Agosti. "The top eight point getters in each category will come back on Derby Day and race for double what the normal purse would be for their claiming price. It will keep a lot of interest and hopefully keep the horses racing." The whole competition will then start over the next racing day with the finals on Saturday, July 23.
Also new at Buffalo Raceway is a Pick-5 wager which will replace the Pick-4. Starting in the fifth race each evening, you can wager on the Pick-5 and if no one hits it, the pool will roll over to the next card.
"The Pick-5 is becoming something of a fan favorite in harness racing and wanted to offer to our players," Cramer said.
(Buffalo Raceway)