Batavia Downs’ current meet will come to a close this Saturday (Dec. 15), and thus the upstate New York chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association has announced its horses of the meet.
Horse of the Meet - In Runaway Bay N
In Runaway Bay N (Mach Three-Pullover Brown) raced in the top pacing class at Batavia 13 times in 2018, which was more than any other horse at the meet.
From 17 total starts, he won five times, finished second twice, notched five third-place finishes, and earned $39,455 in purses (that total surpassed any other male pacer at the track this season). He also defeated the legendary Foiled Again on Saturday (Sept. 22) in that great horse’s last career appearance at Batavia.
In Runaway Bay N is owned by Mark Jakubik, trained by Angelo Nappo, and driven primarily by Kevin Cummings.
Mare of the Meet - Sportsmuffler
Sportsmuffler (Sportsmaster-Whatiftheresmore) competed in 14 Mares Open Paces at Batavia Downs this year and won six of them – and when she won, she did it with an exclamation point. In her 16 total starts this meet, Sportsmuffler also had three seconds and three thirds, which gave her a Batavia earnings total of $42,363.
Sportsmuffler is owned by Rose Campbell, trained by Steve Kiblin, and driven primarily by Billy Davis Jr.
Trotter of the Meet - Lougazi
Lougazi (Lous Legacy-Winning Blade) had a rough start to the meet, as he made breaks with frequency. Although, everything changed in mid-September, as he turned into a monster. Making his way up through the classes, Lougazi hit the Open I level and looked unbeatable there for a month. He won three in a row and four out of six and took a lifetime mark of 1:56.3 in the process. When the dust settled, Lougazi had made 14 starts and recorded six wins, three seconds, one third and earned $38,231.
Lougazi is owned by Mary Warriner, trained by Ryan Swift, and driven by Ray Fisher Jr.
Iron Horse of the Meet - Empire Earl N
Empire Earl N is a 10-year-old son of Earl who came to North America from New Zealand in 2016. In the little over two years that he’s been racing here, he has more than doubled his previous lifetime bank account and almost tripled his wins, as well. His steady work continued at Batavia this meet where he raced 19 times, won four, finished second six times, and third four more. These efforts earned him $43,736 in purses.
Empire Earl N is owned by Kim Asher, trained by the 2018 Rising Star Award winner Riley Asher-Stalbaum, and driven primarily by Drew Monti.
The connections of all four horses will receive their trophies in the Purple Haze Winner’s Circle during the Night of Distinction at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Dec. 14).
(With files from USHWA)