Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Buffalo Rennovations Complete

January 4, 2010

'Major Renovations' is the theme as the half-mile oval kicks off its 68th year of harness racing Buffalo Raceway in Hamburg, NY, on Jan 15.

From the $250,000 spent to upgrade the track surface, to the complete overhaul in the clubhouse.

"I'm very excited about opening day", said C.O.O. Jim Mango. "From the minute we closed last year, all our energies have been used to improve the look of all our facilities".

There is one major change in the schedule this year, as all post times will be 6:40 PM. Racing is set for Jan. 15-16, and Jan.22-23. Wednesdays are added on Jan. 27, and the Wed.-Fri.-Sat, schedule will continue for the rest of the meet. Sunday's, with a 1:05 PM post time will begin on June 6th. There are 90 live racing days, and the meet will ends July 25.

Race secretary and announcer, Robin Burns says the nightly purse allocation will be about $60,000 per night.

Ray Fisher, Jr. looks to repeat as top driver, as he narrowly edged out second place finisher Kevin Cummings, 150-148 in wins last year. Kevin however won the Upstate Harness Writers Association Award, for top driver in WNY, with a spectacular Batavia meet. There was also a close battle for leading trainer, as DJ Millner (87) had four more winners than Sheri Holliday (83).

The "Niatross Knockout Series" and the "Bret Hanover Series" are back for 2010. The "Niatross" is for all horses which have started for a base claiming price of $4,000 or less from June 1, 2009, to and including January 23, 2010. There are three legs, Feb. 6, 13, 20, and a $10,000 final on Feb.27.

The "Bret Hanover" is for colts and geldings which have started for a base claiming price of $10,000 or less from June 1, 2009 to and including Feb. 20, 2010. Two legs will be contested, one on March 6, and the other on March 13, with a $12,500 final on March 20.