Racing Under Saddle News : September 2019

Four horses will compete in the Elizabeth Miller Memorial Tuesday, Oct. 2 at Monticello Raceway.

The racing under saddle event will go for a purse of $1,500 to be distributed evenly per New York state law.

Starting on the rail will be Cathy Gearwar and Railroad Lane. The 4-year old is owned by another rider in the race, but Gearwar has had some experience racing him throughout the season as her own horse was off for the summer healing from an injury. Railroad Lane had three riders throughout the season and only made the winner’s circle once this season at Hemlock Fair. The Chip Chip Hooray gelding was the RUS NY Fair Series high point horse in 2017 and his fastest recorded time under saddle is a 2:05.0 mark at Tioga Downs. Railroad Lane is trained by Elizabeth’s grandson Michael Miller.

In post No. 2 will be Micehlle MIler, granddaughter of Elizabeth. She will be riding 15-year-old Conway Hall gelding Choke Hold. Choke Hold had to be retired from harness racing in January and was acquired by owner and trainer Michelle Miller to continue a racing career under saddle since there is no age limit like in harness. Choke Hold has yet to see the winner’s circle being raced under saddle but showed to be competitive at the RUS New York Fair final when placing second after being parked out most of the mile. His biggest disadvantage is he is the only one in the race not still racing in harness so it is more challenging to keep him “race tight.” Miller said she has put a lot of work into keeping him in top form for the race between shipping him to Vernon to train, jogging him and taking him on a 12-mile trail ride.

In post No. 3 will be Hillary Hartnett and her 4-year-old gelding RC’S Ready. RC came on strong at the end of the season having picked up two wins. He placed third with the same time of 2:10.3 as the fourth place finisher Railroad Lane in the fair final held at Monticello Raceway Sept. 5. This horse can leave the gate and is good gaited, the biggest challenge will be maintaining the lead to the finish if he decides to become the pace setter. According to owner and rider Hartnett, RC is learning each outing and “only getting better as he gains self confidence.” RC is trained by Elizabeth’s son Wesley Miller.

In post No. 4 will be Sophie Engerran and her 10-year-old chestnut Funny Photo. This duo has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the past having captured two track records. The pair won the 2018 RUS New York Fair Series Final in a time of 2:02.4 surpassing a 2:05.4 racing under saddle track record at Monticello Raceway previously held by Glorious Winner. 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. The duo put together a 2:06.3 victory at Goshen Historic Track this season. However, this year the biggest challenge has been staying flat. If Engerran can manage that task, the Classic Photo gelding should be the horse to beat.

To learn more about Miller read some of 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.

Horses and riders race into the first turn at Monticello Raceway during the RUS NY Fair Series Final.

Girls unite to make bleak season prevail

Akhenaton, a French-bred 9-year-old gelding who has a history of racing internationally under saddle, went into this year’s fair final as the clear favorite and he did not disappoint.

The horse went into the race with an unblemished six-for-six record and he and rider Vanessa Karlewicz went wire- to-wire for a 2:09.1 victory over 15-year-old Choke Hold and rider Michelle Miller.

“I think today’s race was one of the best we’ve had all season thus far,” Karlewicz said after the race. “We had a nice group of well-matched horses, and I think that created not only a good race for the fans, but for us riders as well.”

Karlewicz had only two prior starts on Akhenaton as she normally rides her own horse Flowing James. However, due to unfortunate circumstances he was sidelined mid-season and Karlewicz said she cannot thank fellow rider Hillary Hartnett enough for allowing her to continue competing throughout the season.

“This year, unfortunately, hasn’t been one of our strongest race seasons yet, being a few riders short and having a few of our RUS horses sidelined,” explained Karlewicz. “Today’s final, however, highlighted just how much we all love the sport and how we are willing to work together to see it succeed. Even though we are all competitors, we are still willing to help each other out. The fact that the two leading riders, Hillary and Michelle, offered out their second horses to fellow riders to increase the field for the final is a true testament to their passion to see this sport continue to grow. It’s nice to have had this come full circle as I’ve offered my extra horse out in past seasons.”

Having won the fair final once before, Karlewicz said this one had just as much meaning.

“I have to say it was just as thrilling today for the second time,” she said. “Today’s win had so much meaning to it, yet I can hardly take all the credit for it.”

“Even though Akhenaton was thought to be the race favorite, Hillary still offered me that horse from her string versus her other mount. Words can not describe how grateful I am to Hillary. This is such an amazing act of kindness and sportsmanship and I can not praise and thank her enough,” Karlewicz added.

Having been given the ride on someone else’s horse is an honor, but also a bit of added pressure, according to Karlewicz.

“I’m used to handling my own horses every day, which gives me more confidence in what to expect out on the track,” she said. “That being said, I have a very good rapport with the horse's main rider Hillary, and together we were able to discuss the appropriate ride that helped me pilot him to victory. He’s a really fun horse with a ton of heart and gives you a great feel out there. He has come a long way in the few months that Hillary has owned him, she’s doing a great job with him.”

Hartnett describes Akhenaton as a “powerhouse with a trot like she has never seen before.” She said he was imported from France in 2018 in hopes he could compete in an international race in Yonkers. She said she was able to acquire him after he had been bounced around a couple of trainers.

“Taking him to a farm where he can relax and be a horse seemed to be the best thing for him,” Hartnett said. “His attitude has changed for the better since he landed with us. He is a horse that gives 110% every time he races rather it be in the sulky or in the saddle. I am very excited about his future with us.”

“In my eyes, today was certainly a shared victory for teams blue and lime and I dedicate it to my grammy, who sadly passed recently,” Karlewicz said. “She was a huge racing fan, and I know she would have been very proud.”

Both Hartnett’s mounts Akhenaton and RC’s Ready are trained by Wesley Miller of New Berlin, N.Y. Hartnett said she chose to ride her 4-year-old because he’s been learning and getting better each start.

“Ready has been getting the hang of things this year under saddle,” Hartnett said. “I’ve put so much time and effort into training him in the saddle and the work has helped boost his confidence.”

RC’s Ready placed third for Hartnett just edging out Miller’s second horse Railroad Lane who was ridden by Vermont rider Cathy Gearwar. Both put up a time of 2:10.3.

Gearwar also expressed her gratitude for being able to get in some races throughout the season without having a horse of her own.

“My horse was off for the summer healing from an injury, but I was still able to race at a couple of fairs and the final which is always a fun day,” she said. “I give thanks to Michelle Miller and Lance Diehl who really shuffled with harness race plans with Lane to make RUS opportunities available to me.”

Miller said she chose to race her retired horse Choke Hold because she has a special place in her heart for continuing the careers of horses that must retire on the track. She said she puts a lot of work keeping him fit and conditioned as he cannot race in between RUS starts.

“I own, train and ride him,” she said. “I can take full credit with this one. And even though he has been racing for years, there were some kinks that needed working out. Lane was my most challenging to train under saddle for sure as when I first got him he was a scaredy cat and very green. And as far as work, I get help with him as he still races in harness and my brother trains him year round.”

Miller said she cannot thank Choke Hold’s prior owner enough for turning him over to her care.

“Not only is he a war horse on the track he is so calm off of it,” she said. “The weekend before the race my 7-year-old niece was riding him alone in a ring at a fundraiser show we were hosting for RUS NY. I rode him as a lead horse on the trails. He is the true definition of an all around versatile horse and what we like to showcase to the public for safe landings for them after their careers are over. Standardbreds are overlooked and make great horses for all different kinds of disciplines.”

Miller said she could not be happier with how Choke Hold battled in the final race.

The non-wagering exhibition was held in conjunction with the New York Sire Stake’s County Fair Finals on Sept. 5 at Monticello Raceway.

Horses are required to compete in at least three races throughout the series to be allowed entry into the championship race. The series included nine opportunities to race at fairs across the state and one event held at Goshen Historic Track. The series, in its sixth season, received a $7,500 grant for initial purse money provided by the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund.

All participants of the fair final receive $600 for earning their way into the race. Host track Monticello Raceway and the track's horsemen's association generously put up the funds. The winner also received a championship cooler.

Races are organized by RUS New York, which was formed in 2014 to increase interest in Standardbred racing and showcase the versatility of the Standardbred breed.

WHAT IS RACING UNDER SADDLE:

Also known as Monte Racing, RUS, is a hybrid between harness and thoroughbred racing. The sport consists of a rider atop a Standardbred (trotters in the fair series) 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.

To keep up on RUS NY happenings follow the group at: