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Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Fair Final Winner Has Proven To Be More Successful Under Saddle Than In Harness

This year’s RUS New York Fair Final winner made getting to the winner’s circle look like a breeze. 

One True Friend and rider, Hillary Hartnett, crossed the finish line almost exactly 2 seconds faster than the next finisher at Friday night’s non-wagering exhibition held at Saratoga Hotel and Casino. The duo posted a time of 2:04.3. 

Although Hartnett and her 10-year-old mare she calls Trudy only had one fair victory under their belts going into the race, they had proven to be stronger on larger tracks. 

 “I knew if she stayed flat, our chances were very good,” the 27-year-old rider said after her victory. “She was a powerhouse and crossed the finish line with ear plugs still in.”

According to Hartnett, the game plan was to sit in the pocket or lead coming off the gate. 

“Leaving from post position one, we easily made it into the pocket,” she said. “Approaching the quarter, Trudy wanted to challenge for the lead, I let her. We rated the next quarter side by side until passing right after the half. Then it was smooth sailing. It is apparent that this mare LOVES to race and win.”

That is under saddle anyways. One True Friend has not proven to be so successful in harness and that is the reason Hartnett got the chance to try her under saddle. 

“I started her slow,” explained Hartnett. “She was very high energy and dead mouthed and spooky. So I started jogging her under saddle and working on suppling her up and it was basically just a process of figuring each other out.”

The horse and rider were aquatinted last year and were able to get two starts. The pair did not place better than fourth. 

“She had proven that she enjoyed racing under saddle and we decided to give her the winter off of racing completely,” Hartnett said. “In the early Spring, the owner (Wesley Miller) came to me and offered part ownership. I had no idea how I would come up with the money, but was determined to make it work.”

Not long after, Hartnett had part ownership in her first race horse. There was another attempt to race the mare in the harness,  but she still was not proving her abilities. Hartnett said she and Miller made the decision to strictly keep her racing under saddle until the season was over. 
“She proved herself from our first matinee race and win that she would be a contender with the other horses throughout the season,” Hartnett said. 

One True Friend is not an easy horse in any way, according to Hartnett. However, she says she likes this about her spirited mare. 

“I'm the kind of person that would rather have a challenge than something you just sit and enjoy the ride,” she said. “She is a mare and shows her witchy mare attitude often. She loves attention even though she pretends not to and truly just wants to please. She is a fighter and LOVES to race under saddle. We have created a bond and that means more to me than winning.” 

Hartnett said the journey has been one of trial and error. One of bonding and getting comfortable together. 

“When I started her last fall, she was new to us and was not the healthiest,” she said. “She also was having some lameness issues and just was not at 100 percent. We've changed bridles, different over check bits and head gear and then gave her the winter off to heal and get healthy.”

One True Friend is not the only horse Hartnett has raced under saddle. The young rider first started learning to race in 2015. She said the unique sport caught her eye in 2013 when she was at the Otsego County Fair in Morris. Becoming a licensed rider became a goal and dream ever since, Hartnett said. 

“I spent a lot of time, money, and energy getting myself to where I am today,” said Hartnett, who was licensed in 2015 and participated in her first qualifier the following year. 

Hartnett qualified a mare named Maple Grove Emily— a horse she described as a bottom-class horse racing at Vernon Down’s that had been raced under saddle with other riders. 

“She was a great horse for me to start and learn the strategies of racing,” Hartnett said. “We placed a few times, but never won a race that year.”

Hillary Hartnett with Maple Grove Emily.
Maple Grove Emily had done good enough to make the fair finals, but Hartnett missed the opportunity to participate because the mare was sold. Hartnett thought her racing season had come to an end. She was wrong. A few weeks later she received a call to come meet Trudy.  

The Morrisville Equine Breeding Management alumni, said she had never been involved in the harness racing business or even  been to a track before her aspirations to race under saddle were inspired. 

“I was no stranger to the Standardbred breed because of my educational background, but every aspect of harness racing was a new learning experience for me.” she said. 

Hartnett calls the sport addicting. 

“Ever since the first time I trained under saddle I was hooked,” she said. “I have always had a need for speed on a horse, but was never allowed to since the disciplines I was riding were not about speed. Since day one I knew this had been my true passion and I couldn't get enough of it. I still cant.”

Hartnett works at Leatherstocking Equine Center in New Berlin, but says she often wishes she could race horses under saddle for a living as it is something she would love to do every day of her life.

The horse enthusiast said she has been riding horses since she was a young child. Hartnett said she started by taking English riding lessons and then eventually added hunter/jumper to her endeavors. 
“I never showed before college, I just took lessons and rode,” she said. 

Hartnett, who is originally from the Rochester area, now resides in New Berlin. She owns a chestnut Thoroughbred mare that she says was given to her as a untrained 2-year-old. She was a training project that Hartnett says she now ride for fun.

The fair series was made possible thanks to the $5,000 grant provided by the New York Sire Stakes as initial purse money. This marks the fourth year of the series, which included nine races at fairs across the state. Horses are required to compete in at least three races throughout the series to be allowed entry into the championship race.
Six horses qualified to participate, but only five entered.

All participants received $600 for earning their way into the final race.The Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association donated $200 per horse entered. The winner also received a championship cooler and gut supplement from Carhart’s Harness Shop. 


A High Point Rider Award was once again presented at the final to the rider who earned the most points, regardless of horse(s) ridden throughout the series. This year’s winner was Michelle Miller who rode in every fair race this season. 

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Monticello To Host Memorial RUS Event

Elizabeth Miller Memorial RUS Trot 
Monticello Raceway



Date: Oct. 2 

Entries will be taken by Monticello Race Secretary. 
DECLARE BY: 9:00AM WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2017
RACE OFFICE PHONE NUMBER: 845-794-4100 EXT 555 OR 557
***POST TIME DAILY 12:50 PM***


Purse:  $400 per horse estimated at $2,000

Conditions: (5,500 P/C L/S in harness excluding amateur races )
  • Horses must have a clean charted RUS line of 2:14 in 2017 to be eligible to enter. Horses showing a RUS line of 2:01 or better are ineligible. 
*  Preference will be given to horses that have raced or are currently racing in harness at Monticello Raceway.

* Five starters will be eligible to start. If there are more than Five entries horses will be drawn by preference date (meaning the date for any start whether harness or RUS will be used with preferences being used first). 



Per RUS NY rules and regulations:
  1. Riders must have 2 clean charted lines with two or more horses behind the gate to be able to participate 
  2. Riders must participate in at least 2 fundraisers with a minimum of $200 raised or get $200 in sponsors to be eligible to ride
  3. Riders will be expected to have all proper forms (including signing a Monticello Raceway riding waiver) filled out and be prepared to blow a breathalyzer
  4. Riders must have proper colors, helmet, boots, and safety vest.


If any questions, please refer to www.rus-newyork.com or contact Michelle Miller at (607) 643-8047



To learn more about Miller read her obituary:

PITTSFIELD — Elizabeth H. (Liz) Miller, 67, of Pittsfield, went to be with our Lord on Monday, Oct. 2, 2000.

She was born Feb. 26, 1933, in Oneonta, the daughter of James Averell Holl and Mary L. Wilson.

She was married to Lewis (Lukie) Miller on March 25, 1951, in New Berlin.
Liz was the cafeteria manager at the Morris Central School for 29 years which she enjoyed very much.

She was a lifelong resident of the New Berlin/Morris area, where she lived most of her life on the family dairy farm that she and her husband operated for nearly 50 years. She also worked and maintained the family's harness horses and the auction and feed store businesses.

She was an active part of the Otsego County Fair and secretary of the  N.Y.S. Sires Harness Racing Association for many years.

She was also a 25-year member of the Unadilla Grange and the Otsego County Pomona Grange.

Liz lighted the hearts of many and will be terribly missed.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, Lukie Miller of Pittsfield; her children, Timothy L. Miller and his wife, Vicky, Terry L. Miller and his wife, Lisa, Lois Miller-Ballard and her husband, John, Wesley J. Miller and Mary Jane E. Conroe and her husband, Jeff, all of New Berlin.

She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Everett (Flip) Hopper, Kevin S. Hopper, Melissa J. Hopper, Tonya M. Miller, Timothy L. Miller Jr., Michelle N. Miller, Sarah E. Conroe, Jessica L. Card, Luke M. Conroe, Merissa L. Card, Michael D. Miller, Matthew. J. Conroe and Makenzie L. Ballard; three sisters-in-law, Mildred I. Chase, Margaret Conklin and Ethel  White; and a brother-in-law, Donald Miller; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Harley W. Miller; and a sister-in-law, Aleta Smith.

Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Morris on Friday, Oct. 6, 2000, at 1:30 p.m., with the Rev. J. Mark Norlund officiating. Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Morris.

Committal services and burial will follow the funeral service in Hillington Cemetery in Morris.
Those who wish are asked to donate to the "Liz Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund," in care of Morris Central School, Morris,  N.Y. 13808.


Funeral arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.

Saturday, September 9, 2017

RUS Fair Final To Be Held Before Harness Races




Horses are seen four across the track at Tioga County Fair in Owego. 

Saratoga To Be Site For This Year’s Championship

With the county fair racing now wrapped up, the top point-getters of the 2017 RUS New York Fair Series will converge at Saratoga Casino and Hotel to compete for a championship title. 


The non-wagering exhibition will be held at 6:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15 before the New York Sire Stake’s County Fair Finals and regular racing card. A promotional table will be set up after the race to provide racing fans a chance to meet the riders, purchase RUS NY merchandise and learn more about the unique sport and the versatility of the Standardbred breed. 

All participants will receive $600 for earning their way into the final race. The Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association is donating $200 per horse entered. The winner will also receive a championship cooler.

A High Point Rider Award will once again be presented at the final to the rider who has earned the most points, regardless of horse(s) ridden throughout the series. This year’s prize has been donated by Carhart’s Harness Shop and the newly added Feed and Pet Supply in Vernon. To be eligible for the award, riders must participate in at least three races. 

The series was made possible thanks to the $5,000 grant provided by the NYSS as initial purse money. This marks the fourth year of the series, which included nine races at fairs across the state. Horses are required to compete in at least three races throughout the series to be allowed entry into the championship race.


Horses Eligible For The Final: 


Railroad Lane- leads the group going into the final with 175 points. The 4-year-old gelding (CHIP CHIP HOORAY - KATIE'S GOLD CARD - STRIKING SAHBRA) has raced in five fair races with Michelle Miller aboard. The duo finished the fair series strong with three victories in a row. Their first outing resulted in a DNF, but besides that, the pair hasn't been worse than second. Railroad Lane is owned by Miller and Lance Diehl and trained by Michael Miller. 


Admirable Hanover-  (CANTAB HALL - ALMOST AN ANGEL - CROWNING POINT) will be defending his title, as he was named the winner of last year’s fair final at Batavia Downs. The 10-year-old’s owner and trainer, Vanessa Karlewicz, has ridden the gelding to two victories and a second place finish in three fair races this season earning him 125 points. 



Iron Will
- is no stranger to the fair circuit having been ridden the past few years by Heather Reese. He did not participate in the finals last year, but was a contender the year before. The 11-year-old (CREDIT WINNER - ARMBRO ARCHER - S J'S PHOTO) raced in three races earning 112 points with two victories and a third place finish.  The gelding is owned by the J Sansone Stables and trained by Jen Sansone. 



R George - is probably the longest shot on the board so to speak (as there is no betting on RUS). This horse is retired and no longer races in harness. However, the 12-year-old gelding has competed in more series’ races than any other horse earning 107 points at six fairs. R George (R BLAKE - MEGHAN LANE - LINDY LANE) has been ridden by less experienced riders Codie Smith and Kara Duh as well as by owner Michelle Miller. The chestnut, trained by Michael Miller, never earned a victory, but placed second three times and third twice.

One True Friend- earned her way into the finals with 100 points. The 10-year-old mare has been ridden to one fair race victory by partial owner Hillary Hartnett this season. The duo has participated in four races including two second-place finishes and a DNF. While the fairs have not proved to be a strong suit for this pair, do not count them out as they have shown to be a threat on bigger tracks with a victory at Tioga Downs and a strong second place at Vernon Downs. One True Friend (DREAM VACATION - ELOUERA - WESGATE CROWN) is trained by Wesley Miller who also has part ownership. 

Boy Can She Fly- is being leased by Vanessa Karlewicz to be used specifically for RUS as
she was no longer competing in harness. The 6-year-old mare has only been getting stronger under saddle throughout the season. She has had a few passengers aboard her this year including Karlewicz, Codie Smith and Michelle Miller. Having participated in three races, Boy Can She Fly (INCREDIBLE ABE - LADY ISABELLA - SIR TAURUS) was able to compile a first, second and third place finish accumulating 87 points. 



The current standings of qualified riders for the Rider Award are as follows:
Michelle Miller (258), Vanessa Karlewicz (187), Heather Reese (112) Hillary Hartnett (100), Kara Duh (62). No matter the outcome of the final, Michelle Miller has earned enough points to take on the honor this year. 

What is Racing Under Saddle: 
Also known as Monte Racing, RUS, is a hybrid between harness racing and thoroughbred racing. The sport consists of a rider atop a Standardbred (generally a trotter) in a saddle instead of pulling a sulky.  RUS is an exciting part of international standardbred racing and is conducted daily at most european tracks as part of their regular pari-mutuel wagering programs. 

The Fair Series is organized by RUS NY, an organization that helps coordinate and promote under saddle races across the state. The main goal is to promote the unique sport,  educate about the versatility of the Standardbred breed as both a racing and a riding horse and to help Standardbreds find great homes after they finish their days on the track.

To keep up on RUS NY happenings follow the group on  Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.