Opinions. Everybody has one. Well, fans are now getting another opinion when it comes to handicapping the races at Buffalo Raceway, as Paige Usiak has joined the team to give her insight.
Usiak now appears alongside Buffalo Raceway track announcer Wayne Teaven on both the track and simulcast feed and the pair shares their perspective on each race.
Their input is in addition to Brian Mazurek's selections which appear in the nightly Buffalo Raceway program and at briansbuffaloracewayselections.blogspot.com.
So, along with the morning line odds, it now gives fans four different points of view on each and every race.
"We are tweaking things as we go along, but so far I think Wayne and I are playing off each other well,” said Usiak. “I study the program for every card and probably watch two hours of replays to get ready for the night."
"We're excited to have Paige on board,” said Buffalo Raceway Director of Operations Jon Cramer. “She is working well with Wayne."
Usiak is no stranger to horses. She's was on Buffalo Raceway's backstretch last year, working the ship-in barn and also paddocking. Being on the front side is different this season for Usiak, who stating, "On any given day I can be doing something new, I never know what but I'll do it. It's a lot of fun."
Usiak can be seen serving cocktails in the clubhouse and discussing her personal race picks with seasoned fans and newcomers.
Usiak is currently enrolled at Erie Community College where she plans on becoming an architect. So, while being a 'Jill of all trades' at Buffalo Raceway, a handicapper and college student, it makes for a busy life.
But for Usiak, it's something she's enjoying.
(Buffalo Raceway)