by Brian Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — With the 2018 season now complete, the track announced its award winners for the year on Saturday night (July 21).

Drew Monti won his first driving championship at Buffalo Raceway with 123 victories as the 23-year-old went over $700,000 in purses. Shawn Gray took the runner-up spot with 106 wins and Billy Davis Jr. finished in third with 100 in his initial season at the track.

James Clouser Jr. took his first training title at the Hamburg half-mile oval with 81 wins and over $415,000 in earnings. JD Perrin ended up second in the standings with 63 victories while Maria Rice rounded out the top three with 42 victories.

The “Trotter of the Year” went to Fox Valley Veto who broke the all-aged trotting record on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway with a 1:56 victory to solidify the honor. Fox Valley Veto (Pizzazzed-Yankee Victory Om) is co-owned by the Vogel & Wags Nags Stable along with Jack Rice. The 7-year-old gelding is trained by Maria Rice and won five times in 16 tries at Buffalo, amassing $40,489 in purse money.

The “Pacer of the Year” award went to Lightning Raider N (Christian Cullen-Talent Hanover) as the 13-year-old gelding posted 12 victories in 21 starts in 2018 for then owner Mae Smith. Lightning Raider N had bankrolled $38,349 until he was claimed last weekend by Marissa Russo and Kenneth Urbanczyk for $5,500.

He didn’t last long in their barn as Mike Torcello claimed him on Saturday night for $8,000 with Gerry Sarama listed as the trainer. Lightning Raider N finished fifth in the race.

Simulcasting at Buffalo Raceway will be closed from July 23 through August 21 due to the Erie County Fair.

Live racing at Buffalo Raceway will return in January of 2019.

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