by Sam Pendolino, publicity director, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — With wife Ann, son Jim, and mom and dad McNeight in attendance, the Fourth of July was a very special night for trainer/driver Jim McNeight, as the Lockport native recorded his 3,000th win, guiding Hugs Again to a 5-1/2 length victory in the fourth race at Buffalo Raceway.

Paul White photo

Jim McNeight was congratulated in the winner’s circle after picking up his 3,000th career victory.

“My whole family was here, so it was very special,” said McNeight. “My mentor was my dad, who always had a couple of horses, and I started helping him when I was 12. I remember winning my first race for my dad on a horse named Jersey Night.”

When asked who was his favorite horse to drive, McNeight quickly answered, “Jack Sparrow, he was an Open trotter, and I always preferred trotters over pacers, but Avon Rainy Road was a really good pacer I used to drive.”

McNeight’s biggest win came aboard Dee Magic Man in the $90,000 Hopeful Stakes at Buffalo in 2001. It was a stakes and track record at the time, as the 2-year-old pacer won by 5-1/4 lengths in 1:56.4.

“That race meant a lot to me,” recalled McNeight. “I finished second in the Hopeful the year before with a horse named Golfman, who was Dee Magic Man’s full brother,” he said with a laugh.

At 47 years of age, McNeight is one of the most respected horsemen on the Buffalo-Batavia circuit, currently serving on the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association’s board of directors, representing drivers and trainers.

Hugs Again ($4.70) is owned by John O. Sixt and trainer Judy Blaun. It was the second win this year in 13 attempts and the winning time of 1:56.1 established a new season’s mark.

To view this race and others from last nightm go to Buffalo Raceway — Races on Demand.

Racing will resume on Friday (July 6), with first post scheduled for 6:40 p.m.