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| 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:
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