The upstate New York chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association has named its choices for the best-performing horses of the 2015 Batavia Downs meet.
Pacer of the Meet – Cobble Beach (Artiscape-Mirmattculous 1:51.2 $176,867)
Cobble Beach faced the best Open pacers at Batavia week in and week out and never seemed to fail to give his best effort. In 17 starts at Batavia, Cobble Beach won six, finished second four times and third three more. His efforts earned him $42,270 and a seasonal mark of 1:52.4.
Cobble Beach is owned by Leonard Segall and trained by James Clouser Jr.
Trotter of the Meet – Lutetium (Credit Winner-Luby 1:52.4 $356,617)
This year at Batavia, Lutetium has the most wins of any trotter competing in Open company. In nine starts he won six times and finished second the other three. And in those three seconds he was only beaten a length, a neck and a nose. In those nine starts he amassed $37,750 in purses and set a new track record of 1:55.2 for aged trotting geldings.
Lutetium is owned by Colleen Girdlestone and trained by Mark Laidlaw
Mare of the Meet – Memumsnotnice (Jeremes Jet-Bunny Town 1:51.4 $308,343)
After having not won a race since February 4, Memumsnotnice then found her wining stride at Batavia, as she won four Opens and finished second four times and third five more. She earned $32,942 and took a seasonal mark of 1:55, which was also the fastest Memumsnotnice ever paced over a half-mile track.
Memumsnotnice is owned by Thatsideofthefence LLC and John Mungillo, who also trains her.
The Heart of the Standardbred Award is given to a horse that displays the will to overcome all odds in pursuit of becoming a racehorse. This year, the award goes to Red Clay (American Mike-Ersa Kash 1:57.4 $21,964).
Red Clay was turned out, green and unraced at two when Pat and Carmen Cappotelli acquired him. Far behind the curve, he was only raced three times at fairs at age three. Then, after showing much promise in qualifiers after a very late start at age four, Red Clay experienced more issues that limited that season to only three starts as well.
The 2015 season saw the continuation of Red Clay’s penchant for breaking, but it was matched by Carmen Cappotelli’s patience with trotters, and that patience was rewarded with an eye-opening qualifying win at Batavia on August 26. And, from there, Red Clay beat the odds.
Red Clay won seven out of his next nine starts and finished second two more times. The seven victories made him the winningest trotter of the meet, as well. He was so good in his class that he was sent off as the favourite seven times during that nine-race stretch. He took a lifetime mark of 1:57.4 on September 26, a time that at one point seemed unattainable by many, but not by Red Clay.
The connections of all four horses will receive their awards in the Purple Haze Winner’s Circle at Batavia Downs on Saturday (December 12) during UNY-USHWA’s Night of Distinction.
(USHWA)