by Tim Bojarski, president, UNY-USHWA

Batavia, NY — As the 2014 racing season winds to a close at Batavia Downs, the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association would like to recognize the top equine athletes who competed there this year.

BZ Glide was named Trotter of the Meet, Fireyourguns was the Pacer of the Meet and Bazooka Terror was named the Outstanding Distaff Performer of either gait.

BZ Glide won seven times in the Open Trot at Batavia Downs.

BZ Glide (1:56.4h, $116,957) was dominant in the Open Trot class this year, winning seven times at the top level. In his 14 starts at the meet he earned $40,582 and tied his lifetime mark of 1:56.4.

BZ Glide likes to come from behind and he plied his trademark move in every victory this year, providing local fans with many exciting finishes.

The 5-year-old son of Yankee Glide-Bloomer Zoomer is owned by Mike Caprio who also drove him in every start. Caprio’s wife Alana trains BZ Glide.

Fireyourguns (1:48s, $220,121) garnered the most Open Pace victories and sported a gaudy win percentage in the process. In only eight Batavia starts, Fireyourguns won five times (.625) with a best win time of 1:53.1 in those starts.

Paul White photos

Open pacer Fireyourguns won five times in eight Batavia starts.

Mike Caprio also drove Fireyourguns in each one of his local efforts for trainer Terrence McClory, who owns the 5-year-old son of American Ideal-Villa Hanover with Jennifer and Robert Lowe.

Fireyourguns was also named Pacer of the Meet at Batavia Downs in 2013.

Bazooka Terror (1:52.1f, $147,007) lived up to her name this year, terrorizing the local pacing mares on the track since she arrived. She hit the board 13 times out of 16 starts with five wins, six seconds and two thirds, amassing $40,582 in purses, all in the Open Mare class.

She had a best local clocking of 1:53.4 and was teamed each week by her regular driver, the Downs leader Kevin Cummings, for owner Leonard Segall. During the meet, the 5-year-old daughter of Western Terror-Lucky Liz was trained by both Leonard Segall and James Clouser Jr.

The connections of all three horses will receive their awards in the winner’s circle at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Dec. 6) during the UNY-USHWA Night of Distinction.