Buffalo: 2020 live racing season begins Wednesday

Buffalo Raceway will open the 2020 season on Wednesday night (Jan. 29) with a 13-race program that gets underway at 5 p.m.

It will be a busy week at the half-mile oval located at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg as there will be lots for the fans to look forward to during opening week.

Wednesday's opener will feature a $2,500 Guaranteed Pick-5 which begins in the second race. There will also be free programs and a 2020 season magnet giveaway.

Billy Davis Jr., who swept the driving titles last season at Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs with 119 and 131 victories respectively, will be busy as he is scheduled to drive in 12 of the 13 events.

"I had a very good meet last year," Davis Jr. said in looking back on 2019. "I am hoping to build off that and have another good run."

He went on to say about the early part of the season stating, "It's always difficult to know how the opening days of racing meets can go but I am very confident in my trainers and their horses. It would be great to start the season off with a bang."

James Clouser Jr. returns after he claimed the training crowns at both Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs in 2019. He had 56 winners at Buffalo Raceway last season and added 51 more at Batavia Downs. He'll send a pair out on the opening night program.

Maria Rice, who was the runner up behind Clouser Jr. in both Western New York meets last year, hopes to jump start her season as she drew into six races on the Wednesday night card.

The main event on the slate is the $13,000 Open Trot that drew the likes of 2019 Buffalo Raceway 'Trotter of the Year' Wheels A Turning and Lougazi. The sub features include the $10,000 Class A Trot and the $10,000 Class A Pace for the filly and mares.

Racing will be held on Wednesday evenings beginning at 5 p.m. while Saturday nights will have a 6 p.m. post. Action returns on Friday starting on April and will have a 5 p.m. start time.

For more information including the latest news, race replays, entries, results, upcoming promotions and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com

-edited release (Brian Mazurek for Buffalo)