Jan 1, 2019 3 min read

At The Meadows

One of the most spectacular, improbable, inspirational equine careers in harness racing history ended New Year’s Eve at The Meadows with the final race of Foiled Again, the richest Standardbred ever. Although his fifth-place finish disappointed the expectant crowd, his $650 check sent his career earnings to $7,635,588, a mark that likely won’t be eclipsed anytime soon.

The race, the 331st for the Dragon Again-In A Safe Place gelding, also capped a hugely successful “Farewell Tour” in which Foiled Again’s owners – Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables – campaigned him at 18 tracks across the continent. The tour was an athletic and an artistic success; not only did Foiled Again win 11 of those races, swelling his career total to 109, but he also was the centerpiece of special events that created handle and buzz for the venues he visited.

The tour did so much for the sport that the United States Harness Writers Association voted Foiled Again the winner of the 2018 Stan Bergstein/Proximity Award, one of harness racing’s most prestigious and coveted accolades.

The chances for victory in his final race took a hit when “Foiled Again’s Last Call,” as the event was styled, came up so tough that his trainer, Ron Burke, called it a “mini-open.” All-day rain made for a sloppy, tiring surface, while his draw, post 8, certainly didn’t help.

It was a less-than-ideal spot, but the gallant gelding gave it his all, shooting to the top for Yannick Gingras and holding it through fractions of 28.4/57.4. When McNeight challenged first up with Knocking Around, a weary Foiled Again eventually yielded, defeated 3-1/2 lengths but missing show by only 1/4 length.

• David McNeight III collected career win 1,000 Monday at The Meadows when he piloted Knocking Around to victory in race 10.

The race was styled “Foiled Again’s Last Call,” as it marked the final race of Foiled Again. However, they weren’t intimated by Foiled Again’s career bankroll of more than $7.6 million, as they powered up first over to prevail in the slop.

McNeight, a native of western New York who has compiled just less than $6 million in purses, learned the business under the tutelage of his father, trainer David McNeight, Jr., the conditioner of Knocking Around.

The younger McNeight also trains three horses – he’s their sole owner – and doesn’t foresee a time when he’ll want to specialize in training or driving exclusively.

Riley, Oklahoma agree to extension

Oklahoma and Lincoln Riley have agreed to a contract extension, which should quell speculation about the second-year coach being lured away by an NFL team.

Oklahoma announced Tuesday that contract terms were being finalized and would be subject to approval by the board of regents late this month.

The 35-year-old Riley has led the Sooners to consecutive Big 12 championships and College Football Playoff appearances. Oklahoma is 24-4 overall and 16-2 in the conference under Riley with two Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks – Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.

Riley was promoted from offensive coordinator at Oklahoma in the spring of 2017 after Bob Stoops retired. Oklahoma’s creative and prolific offenses have drawn attention of NFL teams and made Riley a potential candidate to fill coaching vacancies in the league.