HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Buffalo Raceway is wasting no time in presenting its feature race of the night as the filly and mare pacers battle in the Open II scheduled for the first event on the 11-race card that will start the 2016 campaign. Post time Wednesday night (Jan. 13) is set for 5 p.m.

 

Ding has been established as the early-morning line favorite at 3-1 with Ron Beback Jr. in the sulky. Trained by James Clouser Jr. and owned by Leonard Seagall, Ding has finished first and second in her most recent starts at this level at Batavia Downs and drew the six post.

 

Heavenly Place has been in the money in all of her last six starts and had 13 victories in 2015, earning over $62,000. She'll draw plenty of attention from the wagerers and will get the services of David McNeight III in the bike.

 

The major danger could come from the front-running Memumsnotnice who was assigned the eight post. The John Mungillo-trained Memumsnotnice has earned over $309,000 in her career including over $54,000 last season. Drew Monti gets the call on the 7-year-old mare, tabbed at 5-1 in the morning line. 

 

Buffalo Raceway's new Pick-5 wager, which carries a 50-cent minimum, begins in the fifth race. If the pot is not hit, it will carryover to the next racing night.

 

Opening week will continue on Friday night with a new post time of 5 p.m. while Saturday night's action will now begin at 6 p.m.