by Harness Horse Breeders of New York State
Latham, NY—OnSunday (Nov. 13), the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding DevelopmentFund and the United States Trotting Association held their annual New York SireStakes and District 8 awards banquet in Haughton Hall at the Harness RacingMuseum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y.
The biggest names in Empire State racing that gathered tofete the accomplishments of their stars began the evening with a cocktail partysponsored by the District 8 member tracks (including Batavia Downs, BuffaloRaceway, Monticello Casino & Raceway, Saratoga Casino & Hotel, TiogaDowns, and Vernon Downs) before being seated for dinner and the awards presentations.
The big announcement of the night was that 2-year-oldtrotting colt Walner, was named the District 8 Horse of the Year.
Walner (Chapter Seven-Random Destiny 1:51.3, $484,037) isowned by Ken Jacobs, trained by Linda Toscano and was driven in all of his startsby Tim Tetrick. Jacobs purchased Walner atthe 2015 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale for $90,000 and placed him under thetutelage of his longtime trainer Linda Toscano. Since then, the New York bred colthas developed into the top 2-year-old male trotter in North America.
Having won seven ofhis eight starts in 2016, Walner was not shy to make headlines
After winning twoNYSS events over the summer, Walner won the $280,000 International StallionStakes at the Red Mile in October, setting a world record of 1:51.3 for2-year-old trotting colts, breaking the old standard of 1:52.2 set by SouthwindFrank in 2015.
Three weeks later, hewon the $600,000 Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands in 1:53, trotting away fromthe field by 4-1/2 lengths. This performance was a track and stake record for2-year-old trotting colts.
To put anexclamation mark on his season, Walner was victorious in the $200,600Kindergarten Classic final at the Meadowlands in 1:53.2 by an overwhelmingseven lengths.
Walner’s achievementsduring his freshman campaign were both dominant and record breaking and havefirmly entrenched him as the early favorite in the 2017 Hambletonian.
There were someoutstanding seasons put together by those awarded for their performances in theNew York Sire Stakes this year, including some who impacted the Grand Circuit aswell.
They are:
Smalltownthrowdown(Cash Hall-Ann’s Promise) was named the NYSS 3-Year-Old Trotting Colt of theYear.
After winningfive legs of the NYSS during the year, Smalltownthrowdown was crowned thedivisional champion after taking the final at Yonkers Raceway. On Saturday (Sept.3), Smalltownthrowdown competed in the $500,000 Yonkers Trot and was beatenonly a head by Hambletonian winner Marion Marauder, who would go on to becomethe trotting Triple Crown winner.
Smalltownthrowdownhad seven wins in 16 starts and earned $446,263 in purses for his efforts. Hisseasonal, and lifetime, mark of 1:54.4 was taken at Saratoga Raceway.
Non Stick (LuckyChucky-Meucci Madness) was named the NYSS 3-Year-Old Trotting Filly of theYear.
After being crownedchampion of the 2-year-old trotting filly division last year on the strength ofan undefeated season, Non Stick repeated as 3-year-old champion this year afterwinning four NYSS events over the summer. The highlight of 2016 for her came atVernon Downs on Sunday (June 19) when she won the $225,000 Empire Breeders Classicwire-to-wire from post eight in 1:54, which was a new lifetime mark.
Non Stick won sixstarts in 12 attempts and banked $363,787 in those outings.
Jim Morrill Jr.repeated as NYSS Driver of the Year after he posted a 28-26-26 record off of144 starts, which equated to a .355 UDR. His drives earned his owners justunder $1.65 million in purses.
Ron Burkerepeated as NYSS Trainer of the Year while campaigning 25 horses on thecircuit. His students won 20 races and earned checks 70 percent of the time. Thoseadded up to $1.26 in earnings for their owners.
Winbak Farm wasonce again Breeder of the Year as 24 of their get started 84 times and earnedjust over $1 million, getting purse checks 73 percent of the time.
Here is acomplete list of all the award winners:
2016 USTA District Champions:
2-Year-Old Filly Trotter
Barn Bella
Owners: Steven Pratt, Nancy Pratt & Purple HazeStables LLC.
2-Year-Old Filly Pacer
Planet Rock
Owner Kenneth Jacobs
3-Year-Old Filly Trotter
Fad Finance
Owners: Purple Haze Stables LLC, Marc Goldberg &Rojan Stables
3-Year-Old Filly Pacer
No Clouds Bluechip
Owners: Richard Carney, Farrell Carney & BarbaraBerger
2-Year-Old Colt Trotter
Owner: Kenneth Jacobs
2-Year-Old Colt Pacer
Funknwaffles
Owners: Crawford Farms Racing & Susan Oakes
3-Year-Old Colt Trotter
Smalltownthrowdown
Owners: Ann-Mari Daley, James Crawford IV, Donald Brenner& Richard Lombardo
3-Year-Old Colt Pacer
Missile J
Owners: KJ Stables LLC & Purple Haze Stable LLC.
County Fair Driver of the Year: Mark Whitcroft
Rising Star Award: JosephChindano Jr.
Pari-Mutuel Driver of the Year: Jim Morrill Jr.
Trainer of the Year: LindaToscano
2016 New York Sire Stakes Champions
2-Year-Old Filly Trot
Barn Bella:Conway Hall — Bravissima
Owners: Steven Pratt, Nancy Pratt & Purple HazeStables LLC.
Breeder: Morrisville Col Fdn Inc.
Trainer: Steven Pratt
Driver: Jeff Gregory
2-Year-Old Filly Pace
Tequila Monday:American Ideal — Margarita Monday
Owners: Susan Oakes & Chuck Pompey
Breeder: Winbak Farm
Trainer: Chris Oakes
Driver: Brian Sears
3-Year-Old Filly Trot
Non Stick:Lucky Chucky — Meucci Madness
Owners: Ake Svanstedt Inc. & Little E LLC.
Breeders: Michael Andrew & Steve Stewart
Trainer: Ake Svanstedt
Driver: Ake Svanstedt
3-Year-Old Filly Pace
Wishy Washy Girl:Roll With Joe — Wish All You Want
Owners: Michael Cimaglio & Stephen Demeter
Breeders: Scott Dillon & Thomas Dillon
Trainer: Tracy Brainard
Driver: Jim Morrill Jr.
2-Year-Old Colt Trot
Devious Man: Credit Winner — Miss Garland
Owner: Stroy Inc.
Breeder: Winbak Farm
Trainer: Julie Miller
Driver: Andy Miller
2-Year-Old Colt Pace
Funknwaffles:American Ideal — Hatsoff Hanover
Owners: Crawford Farms Racing & Susan Oakes
Breeder: David McDuffee
Trainer: John Butenschoen
Driver: Jim Morrill Jr.
NYSS Earnings
3-Year-Old Colt Trot
Smalltownthrowdown:Cash Hall — Ann’s Promise
Owners: Ann-Mari Daley, James Crawford IV, Donald Brenner& Richard Lombardo
Breeder: David Firmstone
Trainer: Dan Daley
Driver: Dan Daley
3-Year-Old Colt Pace
Roll Away Joe:Roll With Joe — Chatelaine
Owners: Howard Taylor, Stephen Demeter & ThomasLazzaro
Breeder: Twinbrook Limited
Trainer: Tracy Brainard
Driver: Jason Bartlett
Breeder of the Year: Winback Farm
Trainer of the Year: RonBurke
Driver of the Year: JimMorrill Jr.
2016 NYSSCONSOLATION WINNERS
2-Year-Old Filly Trot
Teasin N Pleasin:CR Excalibur – Brontease
Owners: Edward Reich, Thomas Corelli & Fred Corelli
Breeder: Winbak Farm
Trainer: Thomas Corelli
Driver: Jeff Gregory
3-Year-Old Filly Trot
Zette Starlet:Credit Winner – Scottish Starlet
Owner: Cozette McAvoy
Breeder: William Donovan
Trainer: Cozette McAvoy
Driver: Charlie Norris NYSS
3-Year-Old Filly Pace
Major MillieArt Major – Gravity
Owner: SSG Stables
Breeder: Flintlock Farm Inc.
Trainer: Steve Elliott
Driver: John MacDonald
2-Year-Old Colt Trot
Top Flight:Angel Archangel – Top Photo
Owner: Legendary Standardbred Farm
Breeder: Alan Hainsworth
Trainer: Megan Wilson
Driver: John Cummings Jr.
3-Year-Old Colt Trot
Royal Bachelor:RC Royalty – Becca J
Owners: Ann-Mari Daley, James Crawford IV & MichaelWhite
Breeder: Kenneth Jacobs
Trainer: Dan Daley
Driver: Dan Daley
3-Year-Old Colt Pace
JK Heaven Sent:Rock N Roll Heaven – JK Owhatanite
Owners: Michi Abday, Barbara & Donald Arnstine
Breeder: 3 Brothers Stables
Trainer: Gilbert Garcia-Herrera
Driver: John MacDonald
2016 NEW YORK-BREDEXCELSIOR CHAMPIONS
2-Year-Old Filly Trot
Royal Oaks RCRoyalty — Mystical Oaks
Owners: Jessica Okusko & Ronald LaClair
Breeder: Dunroven Stud LLC
Trainer: Jessica Okusko
Driver: Stephane Bouchard
NYSS Earnings: $41,250
2-Year-Old Filly Pace
Pirinea’s PrincessRoll With Joe — Chant-A-Nuka
Owner: Latz A Luck Stable
Breeder: Joseph Pirinea
Trainer: Dennis Laterza
Driver: Stephane Bouchard
NYSS Earnings: $49,100
3-Year-Old Filly Trot
Wendy’s GirlLucky Chucky — East Creek Wendy
Owners: Howard Taylor & Edwin Gold
Breeder: East Creek Stable
Trainer: Tracy Brainard
Driver: Jim Morrill Jr.
NYSS Earnings: $64,950
3-Year-Old Filly Pace
Ghost RunnerArt Major — Spirit Of The West
Owners: Dr. Scott Leaf, Deborah Mackenzie, GeraldFielding & Tom Jackson
Breeder: Stonegate Standardbred Farms
Trainer: Erv Miller
Driver: Marcus Miller
NYSS Earnings: $43,050
2-Year-Old Colt Trot
Barn WinnerCredit Winner — Hallmarker T
Owners: Steven Pratt, Nancy Pratt & Out In TheCountry Stable
Breeders: Moni Market Breeders & Jeffery Ruch
Trainer: Steven Pratt
Driver: Jeff Gregory
NYSS Earnings: $45,000
2-Year-Old Colt Pace
Percy’s Z TamAmerican Ideal — Mintjulep Bluechip
Owners: Pat Lachance, Z Tam Stbs LLC, M&M Harness RcgLLC & Royal Flush Stb LLC
Breeder: Michael Parisi
Trainer/ Driver: Pat Lachance
NYSS Earnings: $58,650
3-Year-Old Colt Trot
Just For TodayCredit Winner — Brandnewgirlfriend
Owners: Patricia Stable, Joe Sbrocco & HatfieldStables
Breeder: Valley High Stable
Trainer: Paul Kelley
Driver: Matt Kakaley
NYSS Earnings: $46,800
3-Year-Old Colt Pace
EndeavorAmerican Ideal — Jett Diamond
Owner: Helene Fillion
Breeder: Barbara Muschera
Trainer: Pat Lachance
Driver: John MacDonald
NYSS Earnings: $41,850
BREEDER OF THE YEAR: WinbakFarm
TRAINER OF THE YEAR: ErvMiller
DRIVER OF THE YEAR: JimMorrill Jr.
2016 NEW YORKCOUNTY FAIR CHAMPIONS
2-Year-Old Filly Trot
Too Cool To FoolConway Hall—Travelin Deal
Owner: Angela Jackson
Breeders: Matthew Gartland & Beryl Taylor
Trainer: David Dewhurst
Driver: Jim Morrill Jr.
NYSS Earnings: $9,550
2-Year-Old Filly Pace
Bonita IslandArtiscape — Malita Island
Owner: Robert Gale
Breeder: White Birch Farm
Trainer: Robert Gale
Driver: Truman Gale
NYSS Earnings: $7,943
3-Year-Old Filly Trot
KZ CrazeeCrazed — Lindy’s Almond Joy
Owner: Beth Smith
Breeder: Lindy Farms Of Conn
Trainer: Cheryl Whitcroft
Driver: Mark Whitcroft
NYSS Earnings: $10,527
3-Year-Old Filly Pace
Niche Blue Chip ArtMajor — PW Spare
Owners: Elizabeth & Dyce Spalluto, Veronica Dylo& David Widzinski
Breeder: Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc.
Trainer: Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr.
Driver: Drew Monti
NYSS Earnings: $10,365
2-Year-Old Colt Trot
DW’s RevengeArchangel — Princess Maddie
Owner: Sally Cartier
Breeder: WD LaPage Stable
Trainer: Sally Cartier
Driver: Mark Whitcroft
NYSS Earnings: $11,520
2-Year-Old Colt Pace
Napper TandyArt Major — Cammara
Owner: Donald Cosgrove
Breeder: Donald Cosgrove
Trainer: Angus MacDonald
Driver: Chris Lems
NYSS Earnings: $11,025
3-Year-Old Colt Trot
Trooper JimConway Hall — Alpine Goal
Owners: Heather & Barry White
Breeder: Barry White
Trainer: Barry White
Driver: Truman Gale
NYSS Earnings: $12,617
3-Year-Old Colt Pace
Midnite PassKenneth J — The Company Store
Owner: Gary Cartier
Breeders: Michelle & Albert Crawford
Trainer: Sally Cartier
Driver: Mark Whitcroft
NYSS Earnings: $17,367
BREEDER OF THE YEAR: SteubenFarms
TRAINER OF THE YEAR: DavidDewhurst
DRIVER OF THE YEAR: Mark Whitcroft
RACING UNDERSADDLE
CHAMPION
Vanessa Karlewiczriding Admirable Hanover
HIGH POINT HORSE
Jeanie Marie
Rider: Heather Reese
Trainer: Jennifer Sansone
Owner: Mo Choo Inc. & Jonathan Klee Racing
TRAINER OF THE YEAR
Michael Miller