Key To Win Was 'Staying Flat'

(Photo Credits: Geri Schwarz ) The start of the racing under saddle final at Monticello Raceway. 

Rider Has Experience Riding In France

Staying flat was the main strategy for the winning rider of the 2018 RUS New York Fair Series Final. 

Not only was that goal met, but Sophie Engerran and her horse Funny Photo took the lead and stayed there until the very end- winning by 18 lengths. The duo’s winning time of 2:02.4 surpassed a 2:05.4 racing under saddle track record at Monticello Raceway previously held by Glorious Winner. 

“I let him go his own speed and he raced very well, I am very happy with him,” said Engerran after the race. 

A full field of seven stepped on the track to compete in what marked the fifth year of the series. This was the largest entry in recent history. 

The final was held in conjunction with the New York County Fair Harness Racing Finals September 6. Vanessa Karlewicz and Flowing James (PP3) went into the race undefeated at the fairs and finished second in a time of 2:06.2.  Cathy Carpenter Gearwar's Armbro Hall (PP1) was third crossing the finish in 2:07.1. The winner set the following fractions (30.3 1:01.3 1:32.1 2:02.4) and had total command of the race. 

Engerran, who began racing under saddle in France in 2004 had 10 year’s experience under her belt before coming to live in the United States. 

“I was an amateur rider over there,” she said. “The largest field of horses I’ve ridden with is 20. The average race usually had about 14 total. It was a lot different racing there compared to here. I had to slow down and not go full speed the entire time because of the lengths and different styles of races.” 

Owner and trainer of Funny Photo, Engerran recently relocated to New York from Connecticut with her husband and two daughters. Although she lives closer to Saratoga, she keeps Funny Photo at Vernon Downs and races there because he performs better on the larger track.  She said it is a tricky balance keeping up with racing Funny in harness  and getting to under saddle events. 

“I believe my work with him under saddle has improved him in the bike,” Engerran said. “I have been working for the last few months with him to not pull as hard and get around the turns smoother. The work seemed to pay off because we have raced here in Monticello before and were not able to stay flat in the turns.” 

This was not the first record the pair have broken. In 2015, Engerran piloted Funny Photo for trainer Andy Gardner and co-owners Mo Coo Inc. and Jonathan Klee Racing to a North American seven-eighths-mile track standard of 1:59.0. 

It wasn’t much before this the dynamic team was introduced. According to Engerran, she got on and broke the chestnut to ride about a half hour before placing him into a qualifier. 

“I was eventually asked if I would be interested in purchasing Funny. I really liked him and he was good under saddle so I said yes,” she said. 

The next step wast taking Funny Photo to Canada where there is wagering races offered.  However, Engerran said this was not a smart decision as he did not like it there and the track surfaces were not meant for him. 

(Photo Credits: Geri Schwarz )Sophie Engerran and Funny Photo 

“He did very poorly there” explained Engerran. “So we brought him home and started over. We stopped racing him all together for a while to focus on his well being. He was being used for jumping and dressage to gain muscle. He really seemed to enjoy that.” 

Engerran went back to her home country last year so did not participate in the fair series. However, she said she was excited for her and Funny Photo to be back and able to compete. 

“We really need more consistent racing under saddle events to be truly successful,” she said. 

The RUS fair series, which included eight races at seven fairs across the state,  is sponsored by the New York Sire Stakes and Agricultural and New York Breeding Development Fund via a $5,000 grant. Monticello Raceway and The Monticello Harness Horseman’s Association donated $2,500 towards the $3,500 final purse. 

Event organizer Michelle Miller, who also raced and placed fourth, said she was proud of all the girls who participated throughout the year.  

“It consists of a lot of traveling, hard work and dedication,” she said. “It takes a lot of planning and hard work to pull the event off each year. It is great seeing the interest of fans and watching the quality of the riders continue to improve. We have been very fortunate to have partnered with Monticello Raceway who have been extremely gracious to our event since its inception.”

Racing could not continue without the generosity of sponsors because RUS is yet to become a wagering or self sufficient event. Those that have donated $200 or more include The Meadowlands, Vernon Down, Tioga Downs, Batavia Downs, The Mark Ford Stable, Advantage Edge Equine, Morrisville State College, Triple Crown, Pure Country Campgrounds, T&K Harrington LLC, The Equine Tax Group, Preserving Gods Creation Taxidermy, Early Owego Antique Center, ROC The Standardbred and Triple R Equestrian Center. To see all all sponsors or learn more about RUS visit RUS New York's website, rus-newyork.com.

The High Point Rider Award was presented to Vanessa Karlewicz for earning the most points throughout the series.  This year’s prize was donated by Carharts Harness Shop and the Feed and Pet Supply in Vernon NY.