Buffalo: 2022 opening night is Wednesday

"It's great that we've been able to plan the 2022 season knowing that patrons will be coming back to the track," said Buffalo Raceway Assistant General Manager Jon Cramer as the half mile oval located at the Erie County Fairgrounds begins its 66-day live harness racing meet on Wednesday evening (Jan. 26) at 6 p.m. with an eight-race program set.

"Paige Usiak has been hired full-time as our Marketing Coordinator along with being our Race Host and she has been working on some things that I think patrons are going to like throughout the season," Cramer added.

Opening night will feature a $3,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool thanks to the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program, the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association and Buffalo Raceway. The sequence begins in the second race.

The main event on Wednesday's opening card will have a six-horse field battling in the $12,500 Open II-III Pace for the filly and mares. Fade To Gold is tabbed the 8-5 morning -ine choice with Denny Bucceri scheduled to drive.

Gerry Sarama, the leading trainer at Buffalo Raceway in 2021 with 63 wins, looks to get off to a fast start in 2022 as he will send five to the gate on the program.

Kevin Cummings, who was second in driving victories last year with 77, will see plenty of action to begin the campaign as he is slated to drive in all eight events.

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The betting format will remain the same as in 2021 with win, place, show, exacta, trifecta and superfecta wagering along with three daily doubles, a Pick 3 and Pick 4 to go along with the previously mentioned Pick 5.

The New York Sire Stakes and Excelsior Series will also return this season with all eight divisions to be contested on Wednesday nights beginning on May 18. The 3-year-old colt trotters take center stage in the first evening of NYSS competition. The 2-year-old colt pacers conclude the stakes action on July 13.

Buffalo Raceway will conduct live racing on Wednesdays and Saturdays until April with 6 p.m. post times. The track will have Friday racing beginning on April 1 with a 6 p.m. start time.

Beginning on Wednesday, April 6, Buffalo Raceway will shift all of its starting times to 1:30 p.m. until closing day on July 16. The track will be dark on Friday, June 19 and Friday, June 24 as special Sunday matinees will be held on June 19 and 26 with a 1:30 p.m. post.

"We thought we'd try something new," Cramer said of the matinee programs beginning in April. "We've seen other tracks like The Meadows and Saratoga have success with the afternoon posts so we thought we'd give it a try. We think most people will like it."

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

-edited release (Brian Mazurek for Buffalo Raceway)