UNY-USHWA names best of Batavia Downs pacer of meet

Akron, NY — As the 2020 Batavia Downs meet draws to a close on Saturday (Dec. 12), the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association has announced the top human and equine performers for this past season.

These awards would normally be presented in the winner’s circle on the final night of racing during the annual UNY-USHWA Night of Distinction. However due to state restrictions with regard to the ongoing global pandemic, that will not be the case this year. The award winners will be given gift certificates in the paddock in lieu of the usual trackside ceremony because no one is allowed on the apron.

This will be the first time the Night of Distinction has not been held since its inception in 2008.

The following were the best on the track from the 2020 Batavia Downs season.

Pacer of the Meet-Black Is Back (Western Terror-Magic Moments) 1:52.1, $288,875

Black Is Back made 16 starts at the Downs and won six Open I Handicap paces while finishing second and third twice each, banking purses of $33,645 in the process. He registered his season’s best time on August 29 when he toured the facility at Batavia in a sharp 1:53.4.

This is the second consecutive year Black Is Back has been named Horse of the Meet at Batavia Downs.

Black Is Back is owned by Curtis Edholm and Mihajlo Zdjelar Sr. and is trained by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, president, UNY-USHWA