The current meet at Buffalo Raceway has started strong on the wagering front. One of the reasons for the upswing could be the addition of two national leaders in the sulky this year
. Drivers Dan Noble from Ohio, and Shawn Gray from Maine, has made Buffalo their home for now.
Noble, last year's dash champion (771), has hooked up with leading trainer John Mungillo, and is currently winning at 30 per cent with 23 wins in just 77 drives, for a UDR of .431.
Gray, last year’s national UDR champion (.440), is currently the top reinsman at the meet, with 29 wins in 120 attempts. Gray’s UDR is a very respectable .371.
One of the regulars who is having a good meet is Kevin Cummings, whose 22 wins is just a notch below Gray in the win column. Cummings, who is driving first call for trainer Stacy Keene, has a UDR of .332, and his $116,981 in earnings, is second to Noble’s $126,195.
Round one of the “Niatross Knockout Series” was contested this past Saturday (Feb. 4) and there were seven entertaining races, with the top four in each race advancing to the next round on Saturday, February 11. Five horses were claimed for $5,000, but this week, the price goes up to $6,000. The trick is to make it to the final on February 25, which will go for approximately $20,000.
Last week’s Niatross winners were: His Aliben (Ray Fisher, Jr.), Motivator (Dave McNeight III), Seton Hall (Dan Noble), Silk Puddles (Dan Noble), Country Creek (JD Wengerd), Arizona Helen (Ray Fisher, Jr.), and Fox Valley Michael (Bruce Aldrich, Jr.). All of Buffalo Raceway’s races are available online at the track's website under races on demand.
Total handle has increased 75 per cent over last year, with Saturday, February 4th being the best at $250,736. The $5,000 guaranteed pick 4, on Wednesday’s also show a marked improvement, with each Wednesday getting better and better. This past Wednesday, the track hit $6,220 in the pick 4 pool.
Live harness racing will resume on Saturday, February 11, with first post scheduled for 6:40 p.m., Eastern Time. The popular pick four starts in race five.
(Buffalo Raceway)