by Jonathan Cramer, for Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — Jim Morrill, Jr. returns to the sulky for the first time in 2010 this weekend at Buffalo Raceway. Morrill will be involved in 25 of 26 races scheduled at the Hamburg oval.

Paul White photo

Jim Morrill, Jr. is scheduled to drive in 25 of this weekend’s 26 races at Buffalo.

The 2009 leading UDR driver in North America was installed as the morning line favorite in 12 races by Director of Racing Robin Burns. The question for the bettor is do you play him or play against him?

Morrill, a 45-year-old who moved to Hamburg in 2005 with his family, has dominated the Western New York harness circuit since arriving from the Meadowlands. Last year Morrill spent a lot of time on the stakes circuit and it paid off as he enjoyed a career year in earnings with more than $8 million.

On Saturday, Morrill will drive in all 13 races, including the final of the Bret Hanover Series where he will guide Benzley Mindale from the sixth post position for owner Michael Torcello. He will have his work cut out for him with the Bob Gruber entry National Artchive and Patch Adams N, installed as the morning line favorites in the eight-horse field.

Also on Saturday Buffalo Raceway will host a qualifying round for the National Harness Handicapping Championship. Complete information is available at www.buffaloraceway.com.

Racing takes place Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at Buffalo, with first post scheduled for 6:40 p.m. (EDT).