by Sam Pendolino, publicity director, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — On Friday, Jan. 14, Buffalo Raceway will kick off its 69th year of live harness racing at the half-mile oval in Hamburg, N.Y. All patrons will get a free program with a lucky number inside, which will make them eligible for free wagers on every race. Drink specials and free giveaways are also on tap for opening weekend.

“I’m very excited about opening weekend,” said C.O.O. Jim Mango. “We have a new LED tote board, and due to the success of the new casino, which opened last August, purses will increase 10 percent on all conditions. This increase should benefit Western New York horsemen.”

The racing schedule is as follows: weekend racing for the first two weeks, Jan. 14-15 and Jan. 21-22. Wednesdays are added on Jan. 26, and the Wednesday-Friday-Saturday schedule, with a 6:40 p.m. post time, will continue for the rest of the meet. Sundays, with a 1:05 p.m. post time, will begin on June 5. There will be 90 live racing days and the meet will end on Sunday, July 24.

Race secretary and announcer Robin Burns has reported that the very popular Niatross Knockout, the Bret Hanover and the Albatross Knockout series are back for 2011. To see the conditions for these races, just log on to www.buffaloraceway.com and under Horseman, click on the Late Closers and Sire Stakes link.

Burns also reports that Buffalo has a new assistant race secretary and paddock manager in Carol Malcolm. She joins the staff with many years of experience in the racing industry. She was an associate judge at Running Aces, paddock judge and simulcast manager at Pompano Park and assistant race secretary at Ocean Downs. A native of New England, Malcolm trained horses at Foxboro Raceway and still maintains a training license.

On the racing side, driver Jack Flanigen was the runaway dash leader last year with 197 victories, 37 ahead of second place finisher Kevin Cummings. Ray Fisher, Jr., who is just 26 wins from 3,000, finished third with 138 trips to the winner’s circle.

The battle for leading trainer was much closer, as Sheri Holliday, with 69 wins, narrowly edged out Bob Gruber, who had 65 tallies. Ron Beback, Jr. came in third with 56.

The Clubhouse and Bar reopens for the start of live racing with a new menu. If you would like reservations in the clubhouse, call 716.646.6109, extension 60149, for the best seats at the track. Don’t forget to join the Inside Track Club, for coupons on special giveaway days, free programs, and the latest news. There’s also plenty of information at our website, www.buffaloraceway.com.