Buffalo to drop weekends?

Officials at Buffalo Raceway are reportedly considering dropping weekend racing following the 2007 season, offering live programs only on weekdays—and possibly with an afternoon post time so it would compete with fewer racetracks.

This year’s meet at Buffalo opens Friday, three weeks earlier than in 2006. COO Jim Mango told The Buffalo News he is considering making the changes if attendance and handle continues to decrease. The racetrack also currently operates a slots parlor.

Mango said he “would definitely explore” switching to afternoon race cards. However, he did go on to say, “I’m not saying we’re going to do that. I’m saying that is has to be looked at…Live harness racing is not gathering new people.”

As for possibly making the change, Mango noted, “A lot of the harness tracks our size are trying to find that niche in the simulcast world. Let’s say if we increase our (simulcast) handle by $200,000 a day (in a new time slot). At three-percent (commission on handle paid to the Raceway), that's $6,000 a day of revenue. Multiplied by 85 days, that's $510,000 revenue.”

« Back