The penultimate night of the 2010 season at Batavia Downs Casino was an evening to remember, for one just getting started in the business and three saying goodbye
.
December 3, 2010 will be a night 19-year-old provisional driver Shawn McDonough will not soon forget as he notched the first win of his career in the opener with Robert Salzman’s Long Beach Tea.
Getting away in the pocket, the likeable McDonough, pulled the right line around the final turn, took over the lead into the stretch and held off a fast closing Patriotic Dream to register his maiden win. McDonough, who also trains, has conditioned 17 winners this season.
It wasn’t exactly a ESPN Sportscenter moment, but the ageless wonder named Boomer Berman finished third in his final Western New York start. “Boomer” faces mandatory pari-mutuel retirement on January 1.
Sent off as the overwhelming 2-5 favourite by the Customer Appreciation night crowd, the 14-year-old trotter, with Jack Flanigen in the bike, appeared to be in good shape turning for home but began to get leg weary late, over a snow covered racetrack, and had to settle for third. He thus leaves the Western New York circuit with 89 lifetime wins and more than $215,000 in career earnings.
The popular trotter was named after ESPN personality Chris Berman.
"I am honoured that Boomer Berman ... like fine wine, continues to get better with age," Berman told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, "and I am thrilled to say no one circles the harness track like Boomer Berman.”
Boomer Berman was recently named the Western New York 2010 Horse of the Year by the Upstate New York Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association.
Another pair of 14-year-olds, pacer Vein Of Gold and trotter Devilinhiseyes also said farewell during the Friday program.
The Pick-6 contest is alive and well with $1,000 now on the line after no one got all six winners correct on Friday night. Since Saturday is closing night, the prize money will be distributed to whoever picks the most winners of contest Races 4 through 9. In the event of more than one winner the prize money will be shared equally. The Pick-6 contest is courtesy of the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s association.
In addition to Boomer Berman being named Horse of the Year, award ceremonies will be held trackside for the pacer of the meet, Two Twentytwo, and trotter of the meet, Fifty Two Finn.
Longtime Western New York horseman Fred Haslip will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award while Pete Arrigenna will take home the Good Guy Award.
Jack Flanigen will receive the Driver of the Year Award and Sherri Holliday will be honoured for the Trainer of the Year and Meet. Reinsman Kevin Cummings will receive the Driver of the Meet award.
(Batavia Downs)