Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund Holds NYSS Awards Banquet

ALBANY, NY (11/15/2010)(readMedia)-- The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund (the Fund) Executive Director, Peter Goold, today announced the Fund held its Annual New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) Awards Banquet on Sunday, November 14, 2010 at Saratoga Raceway in Saratoga Springs, New York. A total of 29 awards were given to horse owners, drivers, and trainers who performed exceptionally well during the 2010 NYSS racing season.

"We are very pleased to have such an outstanding state-bred racing program. Our program would not be possible without the many distinguished men and women in the harness racing and standardbred breeding industries who take part in the New York Sire Stake program each year," Goold said. "On behalf of the Fund Trustees, congratulations to all of the award winners for their exceptional performances during the 2010 New York Sire Stakes racing season."

The NYSS awards honor the top performers in each level of New York Sire Stakes racing: the NYSS Series, the County Fair Series, and the Late Closers Series. The Fund also honors the leading NYSS drivers, trainers, and breeders of the racing season.

The award recipients are as follows:

The 2010 NYSS Breeder of the Year awards went to Winbak Farm (Wallkill, NY) for all three Series: NYSS, County Fair, & Late Closers.

The 2010 NYSS Trainer of the Year awards went to Linda Toscano for the NYSS Series; Edward Hart for the Late Closers Series and to Douglas Ackley for the County Fair Series

The 2010 NYSS Driver of the Year awards went to James Morrill, Jr for the NYSS Series; Jason Bartlett for the Late Closers Series; and to Douglas Ackley for the County Fair Series.

2010 New York Sire Stakes Series Award Winners:

NYSS 3-Year-Old Pacing Filly: Anndrovette

Breeder: Golden Touch Stable; Owners: Joseph Davino, Mark Kesmodel, Jeffrey Bamond; Trainer: Mark Kesmodel; NYSS Earnings: $303,747

NYSS 3-Year-Old Pacing Colt: He's Gorgeous

Breeder: Yankeeland Farms Inc.; Owner: Kenneth Jacobs; Trainer: Linda Toscano; NYSS Earnings: $310,405

NYSS 3-Year-Old Trotting Filly: Tuesdays With Mom

Breeder: Peter Arrigenna; Owner: Peter Arrigenna; Trainer: Peter Arrigenna; NYSS Earnings: $246,188

NYSS 3-Year-Old Trotting Colt: Blacktuxwhitesocks

Breeder: Valley High Stable; Owner: Purple Haze Stables LLC; Trainer: Jessica Okusko; NYSS Earnings: $278,118

NYSS 2-Year-Old Pacing Filly: See You At Peelers

Breeder: Christina Takter; Owners: Christina Takter, John Fielding, Jim Fielding; Trainer: Jim Takter; NYSS Earnings: $253,871

NYSS 2-Year-Old Pacing Colt: Townslight Hanover

Breeder: Hanover Shoe Farms Inc.; Owner: Kenneth Tucci; Trainer: Aaron Lambert; NYSS Earnings: $173,554

NYSS 2-Year-Old Trotting Filly: Some Girls

Breeder: London Farms, Wayne Jacobus; Owners: Theodore Gewertz, Michael Rosenthal, Y Jean Brunet, Gaetan Brunet; Trainer: Gaetan Brunet; NYSS Earnings: $243,103

NYSS 2-Year-Old Trotting Colt: Dejarmbro

Breeder: Fair Winds Farms Inc.; Owner: Purple Haze Stables; Trainer: Jessica Okusko; NYSS Earnings: $211,965

2010 NYSS Late Closers Series Award Winners:

3-Year-Old Pacing Filly: V'La Faire

Breeder: Oakhurst Farms; Owner: Oakhurst Farms; Trainer: Richard Tomaszewski

3-Year-Old Pacing Colt: Real Gentleman

Breeder: Brittany Farms; Owners: Jeffrey Pocaro, Paul Strombick, Allister Stables, LLC; Trainer: Eric Abbatiello

3-Year-Old Trotting Filly: Dream State

Breeder: Kindergarten Stud, Inc.; Owner: Regina Dewhurst; Trainer: David Dewhurst

3-Year-Old Trotting Colt: Off The Grid

Breeder: Robert Rosenheim Stables Ltd.; Owner: Jody Weidman; Trainer: Jody Weidman

2-Year-Old Pacing Filly: Forty Three

Breeder: Indigo Racing LLC; Owner: Indigo Racing LLC; Trainer: Adam Capizzano

2-Year-Old Pacing Colt: Mosee Terror

Breeder: Jeffrey Brooks; Owner: Baron Racing Stable; Trainer: Paul Reid

2-Year-Old Trotting Filly: Dreamy Dawn

Breeder: Lohmeyer Racing LLC; Owner: Lohmeyer Racing LLC; Trainer: Ed Lohmeyer

2-Year-Old Trotting Colt: Winona

Breeder: Perry Racing Stable LLC; Owner: Perry Racing Stable LLC; Trainer: Howard Okusko

2010 NYSS County Fair Series Award Winners:

County Fair 3-Year-Old Pace: Emmas Lily

Breeder: White Birch Farm; Owner: Stephanie & Brian Cassell; Trainer: Truman Gale

County Fair 3-Year-Old Trot: Vagra

Breeders: Douglas & Tyra Ackley; Owners: Douglas & Tyra Ackley; Trainer: Douglas Ackley

County Fair 2-Year-Old Pace: Surf Cast Michelle

Breeder: John Prescott; Owner: John Prescott; Trainer: John Prescott

County Fair 2-Year-Old Trot: Lofty Dreams

Breeder: Kindergarten Stud Inc.; Owner: Steven Pratt; Trainer: Steven Pratt

The United States Trotting Association District 8 and the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State also presented awards at the NYSS Awards Banquet. The USTA District 8 awarded a total of 12 awards representing outstanding performing horses in its district. The Harness Horse Breeders awarded its second annual Bruce Hamilton Memorial Medal to Raymond Schnittker for his outstanding contributions to harness horse racing and improvements of the breeding of standardbred horses within New York State.

The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund (the Fund) is a public benefit corporation established in 1965 by the Laverne Law (Laws of New York, Chapter 567 of the Laws of 1965). The mission of the Fund is to promote agriculture through promoting the breeding of standardbred horses and the conduct of equine research within the State. To carry out its legislative mission, the Fund administers the New York Sire Stakes racing program and administers a Breeders' Awards program for its participants. Additionally, the Fund provides assistance to equine-related organizations including county agriculture societies, the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, the statewide 4-H program, and the Harry M. Zweig Fund for Equine Research.

For more information or to find out how you can become involved in the New York Sire Stakes Racing Program, please visit www.nysirestakes.com.

###