Horse Racing Returns to Hamburg Wednesday

The news is exciting from Buffalo Raceway this week as we begin 2021! One of the oldest traditions in the Southtowns returns to the track this month.

I received an email from Buffalo Raceway that explains the guidelines that surround bringing horse racing back to the track on the Hamburg Fairgrounds.

"The racing surface is ready. More than 250 stalls have been filled by horses chomping at the bit ready to race. This means the 66-day season at Buffalo Raceway is set to begin with opening night set for Wednesday, January 27 with a 5 p.m. post time."

It is one more positive that we can look forward to this year after a year of cancellations and postponements. With a vaccine being administered and the guidelines being adjusted to keep things safe, there is hope that this year we may see more events coming back. It was a long year for us at the radio station. We missed many events including the Toyota Taste of Country that would bring 25,000 people to the show any other year. Will we see those numbers again? Most likely it will be a year or two before we can assemble that many in one location.

The Buffalo Bills showed us that an organized and well-managed testing and COVID policy can help to allow fans and spectators into the stands. Unfortunately, for now, there will be no spectators allowed in the stands for the racing in Hamburg.

"Starting on April 2, Friday nights will be added to the slate with a start time of 5 p.m. The Saturday programs will then be moving to 6 p.m. There will be three special 7:15 p.m. posts set for Saturday, May 1, Saturday, May 15, and Saturday, June 5 to accommodate thoroughbred Triple Crown events."