The United States Harness Writers Association Upstate New York Chapter has announced that trotter Boomer Berman has been named the 2010 Western New York Horse of
the Year.
Boomer Berman had been a reliable, cheque-getting trotter that competed in top classes at several different tracks through most of his career. But when he turned 12, it appeared his age and the competition were becoming too much for him. He only earned $4,937 in 2008 from 13 starts, 12 of which were at fairs. But in May of 2009 when his owners Steve and Kathy Schoeffel sent him to trainer Lisa Lederhouse, they found someone who felt 'Berman' could come 'back-back-back-back-back' and soon realized through her tutelage “he… could… go… all… the… way!”
Come back is exactly what he did. In 2009 he won five starts and $27,261 racing at both Batavia Downs and Buffalo Raceway. But what he did this year was next to amazing.
As a 14-year-old racing in his final campaign, the crafty veteran proved he had something more to prove. He recorded 13 wins from 37 starts, hit the board 30 times and bankrolled $58,914. To show how game he was this year, in two of the races in which he finished second he trotted his miles in 1.59.3 and 1.59.4 (each of the races were over a half-mile track). Those times were only four fifths of a second and one second off of his lifetime mark (1.58.4) which was set over the five-eighths mile track at Pocono Downs in 2001 when he was a five-year-old.
Another interesting fact is that 40 per cent of his $215,000 lifetime purse earnings were accrued over the last two years while racing out of the Lederhouse Stable. So, it might be safe to say 'no one, circles the wagons, like Boomer and Lisa.'
The connections of Boomer Berman will receive their award in the winner's circle during UNY-USHWA’s 'Night of Distinction,' which will be held at Batavia Downs on Saturday, December 4.
For more information on all the 2010 Night of Distinction Awards and their recipients, surf to upstatenyushwa.com.
(USHWA)