Buffalo -- Gateway to Fort Erie

Tweet The Daily Show's J-Stew (pictured in NYC with his UB BULLS cap) was here at the University of Buffalo last November for an appearance on campus and lovingly called Buffalo, the "Gateway to Fort Erie." Nice.

Last week there were some posts about the Top 10 TV markets, I was hoping Buffalo might sneak in. To no avail, but I became curious to where the 49th largest TV market fared in viewership for the Run to the Roses and whether the fact I had four TV sets on for the Derby in the Space Station made any impact. I had trouble finding the data (meaning after five minutes I gave up) and lo and behold, Alan Pergament (Buffalo News TV critic) posted an article in today's B-lo (that's slang for Buffalo in these parts) News stating we were the 15th ranked market. It's not quite Pittsburgh, but not bad considering the size of our viewing area (about 1 million people in the metropolitan area). With four tracks within a 75 mile radius (Ft. Erie, Buffalo Raceway, Batavia Downs and Finger Lakes) and six within 90, if you include Woodbine and Presque Isle Downs. Per Pergament, "Channel 2 averaged a 13.2 rating for the final hour of coverage, which is about 30 percent higher than the coverage the two-minute race had in the top markets in the country." I'd say we held own when it came down to ratings. Of course, we are primarily a football and hockey town, but I was pleasantly surprised by the results, nonetheless.

Ok, you can now go back to your regularly scheduled surfing endeavors. Don't forget to check in at the TBA homepage for the latest posts on the Rachel Alexandra controversial jockey and trainer moves which are lighting up the blogosphere. While you're at it, check out some of our new sponsors, Uberhorse.com (Filly & Mare division) and Monmouth Park Survival at the Shore (Turf division).