By Sarah Mace
Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack wrapped up its 2016 season on Thursday, November 30, but not before taking care of some important business: naming two 2016 inductees to the Finger Lakes Hall of Fame and announcing its 2016 equine honorees.
Inducted to the Hall of Fame this year were jockey Rudy Rincon and the state’s star juvenile filly of 2001 Shesastonecoldfox. Named the 2016 Finger Lakes Horse of the Year was Breakin the Fever. The 4-year-old Roaring Fever gelding, bred, owned and trained by Debra Breed, won six of seven starts in 2016, including the George W. Barker Stakes and Leon Reed Memorial Stakes at Finger Lakes, as well as the Hudson Handicap on Empire Showcase Day at Belmont Park.
Finger Lakes Hall of Fame 2016 Inductees:
(Edited FL HPBA release)
Courtesy FLGR
Rudy Rincon
Career earnings: $9,252,809
Finger Lakes leading rider: 1962, 1973, 1974 and 1978
After gaining competitive experience in various styles of racing, Rudy Rincon’s official career began in 1958 at Ruidoso Downs. He made his local debut in 1962 and won the jockey title during the inaugural season at Finger Lakes. Rincon remained one of the top riders during the next two decades, earning a total of four jockey titles during that span. He claimed top jockey honors in 1973, 1974 and 1978.
Rincon continued to persevere and recorded seven stakes victories during the 1980s. His final stakes win was with CB Account in the 1997 Wadsworth Memorial Handicap. He was aboard CB Account when he set a track record the same year. Rincon completed his extensive and prosperous career in 1999. He finished as one of the most successful jockeys in Finger Lakes history with a total of 2,975 victories.
Courtesy FLGR
Shesastonecoldfox
1999 bay filly
Foxhound – Morgans Raider, by Giboulee
Owner: Dennis and Deborah Petrisak (Langpap Stables)
Career earnings: $216,409
Won: 2001 Lady Finger Stakes, 2001 New York Breeders’ Futurity, 2001 Joseph A. Gimma Stakes
Breeders’ Cup participation: 2001 Juvenile Fillies
Shesastonecoldfox displayed exceptional talent in her first start for owner Langpap Stables. She scored a three and three-quarter-length victory in her career debut at Saratoga. The young star continued to establish herself as the best New York-bred 2-year-old filly with a convincing five-length victory in the $65,350 Lady Finger Stakes. The M. Anthony Ferraro-trainee earned her most notable win when she defeated male rivals in the $137,900 New York Breeders’ Futurity.
Shesastonecoldfox was voted champion New York-bred 2-year-old filly, and Ferraro was named Outstanding Trainer by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. in 2001. Her accomplishments made her eligible to compete against the best young thoroughbreds in the world in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Her dominance against her juvenile rivals in 2001 distinguished Shesastonecoldfox as one of the best 2-year-old fillies ever to race at Finger Lakes.
Finger Lakes’ 2016 NY-bred Honorees
Breakin the Fever, Hudson H. (NYRA/Susie Raisher)
Horse of the Year: Breakin the Fever
Best 3-Year-Old Filly: Fingerpainter
Best 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Saratoga Giro
Best Older Filly/Mare: Midnight Champagne
Best Older Colt/Gelding: Breakin the Fever
