When that envelope was opened, two-year-old trotter Market Rally (Cash Hall-Supreme Dish) was named USTA District 8 Horse of the Year for 2013. Owned by John Yoder and Megan Wilson, trained by Megan Wilson and driven by John Cummings Jr., Market Rally overcame a slow start to her campaign to end up as one of the top first-year distaff trotters in the country.
Market Rally was a $7,500 yearling purchase that only had a fourth-place finish in a NYSS event on her card as of August 16. At that point it was discovered she had a sore shoulder that was hindering her performance. When that issue was addressed, a quick change of fortunes occurred and the filly showed her true ability.
She won two of her next four races, and finished second twice (all in NYSS events). In the $225,000 final, Market Rally got away sixth to the half and after following a live outer flow to the three-quarters, unleashed a strong stretch drive to hit the wire first by a neck.
Two weeks later, Market Rally finished fifth in the Breeders Crown elimination and qualified for the final. She put in a solid effort in that $500,000 event finishing third in the mile that went 1:53.4.
For the year, Market Rally had four wins in 12 starts and earned $281,816 in purses.
There were outstanding performers atop each category for age, sex and gait and several of them drew national attention during the year.
Hes Watching (American Ideal-Baberhood) was the NYSS Two-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year. The swift side-wheeler that is owned by Brad Gray & Michael Guerriero and David Menary (who also trains him) was a perfect eight-for-eight on the year. He swept his division and collected $291,722 in purses for his efforts.
Overlooked by many at the Harrisburg sale, Hes Watching was a $3,000 yearling purchase that turned out to be a world record holder this year. That impressive outing was at Tioga Downs on August 9 when he paced his mile in 1:50 flat, which was three-fifths of a second faster than the old record held by Rock N Roll Heaven.
Hes Watching spent his entire year racing in New York because he was not staked anywhere else in 2013, but that will change next year when his connections unleash him on the Grand Circuit.
Fool Me Once (Art Major-Fool That I Am) was awarded Three-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year for owners Daniel Smith and the Mark Austin Stables Inc. He captured four legs of the NYSS at Vernon (in a track record 1:50), Yonkers, Tioga and Saratoga before scoring a 1:51.3, eight-length victory in the $225,000 final at Yonkers.
On the Grand Circuit, Fool Me Once was the fastest winner during the North America Cup eliminations, as he went wire-to-wire in 1:48.1. In the $1-million final, he again dictated the pace before getting caught by Captaintreacherous and finishing fourth. He also won his $116,868 division of the Simcoe Stakes and was third in his $215,500 division of the Tattersalls Stakes. His 10 wins in 17 starts earned him $507,824 for the year.
In the three-year-old filly pacer category, Social Scene (American Ideal-On The Catwalk) walked away with the hardware as best in the class. Social Scene went about setting track records across the state, as she posted a new standard of 1:52 at Yonkers Raceway and 1:52.2 at Monticello Raceway. Although, her most impressive performance of the year was probably at Tioga Downs on June 9 when she won in 1:51.2 with a third quarter split of .26 and final half in .54 flat.
In September, Social Scene competed in the $257,750 Jugette. She finished fourth in the elimination and qualified for the final where she finished fifth after being parked most of the mile. But the filly came back to New York 10 days later to take the $225,000 NYSS final.
Social Scene, who is trained by Casie Coleman, won seven races in 16 starts and earned $289,188 for her owners, the West Wins Stable, Steve Calhoun and Mac Nichol.
On the human side, Jim Morrill Jr. repeated as District 8 pari-mutuel driver of the year. His 47 wins dwarfed his nearest competitor and his purses totaling $2,314,805 more than doubled those of the second-place finisher.
Doug Ackley received the award for District 8 County Fair driver of the year. He tallied 35 wins and earned $63,722 in purses.
Linda Toscano defended her title as the District 8 Trainer of the Year. She registered 15 wins in NYSS events and bankrolled $881,011 in earnings.