Buffalo Raceway is wasting no time in getting its 2015 live racing season off to a great start its featured $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace is scheduled as the first race on the track’s solid 12-race opening night card Wednesday.
First-race post time is 5 p.m.
Bazooka Terror has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favourite in the opener despite being assigned Post 8. Defending Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs leading driver Kevin Cummings is slated to be in the sulky.
In her last appearance on December 6 at Batavia Downs, Bazooka Teror rolled to an impressive three and a half-length victory in 1:57.2. Trained by newcomer Jim Clousser Jr., Bazooka Terror posted 11 victories last season and earned $85,621 for owner Leonard Seagall. The six-year-old was named 2014 Mare of the Meet at Batavia Downs.
Mondatta could be the main threat with David McNeight III in the bike. Starting from the rail, she has a pair of seconds and two third place finishes in her last four appearances. Mondatta is the 4-1 second choice.
The remainder of the field includes Ugly Betty (to be driven by John Cummings Jr.), S A Lowe (Billy Dobson), Memumsnotnice (Frank Milby), Youre To Funny (Jack Flanigen), Ashlees Cool Gal (Shawn Gray) and Seascape Hanover (Ron Beback Jr.).
As the Buffalo Raceway season kicks off, a pair of drivers will be looking to reach some lofty milestones. Cummings is just 30 wins away from 3,000 career victories while Frank Milby is just 20 away from the 2,000 plateau.
"I'd like to finish like where I left off in 2014," Cummings said. He had 334 victories last season and drove his mounts to over $1.5 million in purse earnings.
When asked about nearing the 3,000-win mark, Cummings said, "I don't really think about it. I just want to stay on the roll I was on last year. It will come when it comes."
Wednesday night, the $5,000 Guaranteed Pick-4 sequence starts in the fifth race. There will also be free racing programs, free magnetic racing schedules along with $3 food and beverage specials in the clubhouse.
Racing will then resume on Friday and Saturday night with a 6:35 p.m. start time. For more information including entries, results, replays and upcoming promotions, go to buffaloraceway.com.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)