by M. Kelly Young, executive assistant, the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State

HAMBURG, N.Y.—It seems that Hamburg resident Allan McCarty would rather spend his mornings working on the backstretch at Buffalo Raceway than in a comfortable office decorated with uniformly bound law books. That’s the trade this self-described “semi-retired” attorney is hoping to make as he shifts his focus to harness racing.

McCarty has been involved in the sport since his early teens when his father, a retired Air Force pilot, trained a stable. For years he has owned and trained his own horses at Buffalo Raceway, and now, as he hopes to take on owners and run a public stable, his first New York Sire Stakes competitor is heading up the coming out party with a very successful beginning to his career.

Hitwiththeladies, who McCarty owns and trains at Buffalo Raceway, has already more than doubled his $12,000 purchase price as a yearling and looks to be one of the most promising starters on the circuit.

“He’s absolutely the nicest horse I’ve ever owned,” said McCarty. “He’s an absolute gentleman. On the track he’s just as nice, he moves like a Rolls Royce. His driver (John Flanigen) can’t say enough good things about him.”

Not only does the colt’s bankroll total $29,500 and his record shows three wins in four starts this season (finishing second in the other), but Hitwiththeladies is also the fastest 2-year-old trotting colt of the year so far on a half-mile track, by virtue of his 2:02.3 clocking at Monticello Raceway on July 10. That victory was in the first leg of the New York Sire Stakes, which marked the colt’s third straight win after scoring in a leg and the final of Menchi Memorial, the signature 2-year-old trotting series at Buffalo Raceway.

Hitwiththeladies will try his speed again at Buffalo Raceway in a $28,501 division of the New York Sire Stakes on Saturday (July 22). With a chance for a win in his hometown, McCarty is trying hard to conceal his high hopes for the colt.

“I expect he’ll be as tough as anyone in there and probably tougher than most,” he stated elusively. “I was very happy with the draw, he’s in post three and that’s the perfect spot at this track. The first turn at Buffalo is a little sharp so the three is a great spot and the driver knows exactly what to do.”

McCarty, who currently has a stable of four horses, is a little unconventional in his training. Because he lives only a few miles from the raceway, Hitwiththeladies spends part of his time in a paddock at his home in lieu of jogging every day. McCarty also subscribes to the method of interval training instead of the more traditional continuous workout.

“I use the interval training for all of my horses,” he explained, “and this colt seems to have responded well to it.”

Should the son of Giant Hit prove to be a hit at his home track on Saturday, no doubt he will receive a muzzle nuzzle as a reward.

“He likes to have his nose rubbed,” explained the trainer. “I don’t know why, but I guess his nose is itchy after a race.”

Hitwiththeladies will take to the track in the sixth race on Saturday, with the other three New York Sire Stakes events featured as races two, four and eight on the 13-race program. Total purses for the state-bred events equal $114,004, part of a $231,242 Sire Stakes weekend at the Hamburg oval.

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The 2-year-old trotting fillies with compete in their second New York Sire Stakes leg on Friday night at Buffalo Raceway with total purses of $117,238.

Among the standouts is the undefeated Julieannie, trained and driven by local favorite Ray Schnittker. The young daughter of Credit Winner, owned by Schnittker, Tom Vassilou and Nicholas Tallarico, has won both her starts this year–a division of the Landmark Stakes at Goshen and the first leg of the New York Sire Stakes. Her earnings now total $22,294. She will start from post three in the second race.

The New York Sire Stakes are featured at races two, four, six, seven, nine and 11 on the 13-race program. Post time each night is 7:05 p.m.