Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

One Spectacular Ride--One Owner's Thoughts on the great Niatross
September 2004

Imagine being part owner of a pacer who was named USTA Horse of the Year at two, and then owning that same steed at three: a laterally-gaited athlete who rewrote the record books, garnering 15 world records, and smashing 10 track records.

Imagine the same horse winning 19 consecutive races, suffering two defeats, then storming back to win his last 18 races. Imagine being part owner of the first horse of any breed to win over $2 million in two seasons of racing, and retiring as the richest Standardbred ever.

Niatross was that horse. He was a horse who was never involved in a photo finish, with the clock as his only true foe. He was witnessed by many, and owned by few.

Sy Cohen, of New York, was one of those select few who owned a share of one of harness racing’s greatest performers.

"My accountant called me and asked me if I'd like to take advantage of a tax shelter and buy a horse," Sy recalled. "It sounded like a win-win situation."

Cohen, along with approximately 25 other people, became part of a syndication that shared in the success of Niatross' career. When they purchased Niatross as a two-year-old, the syndication knew little about harness horses and started following their investment from track to track.

"It was a spectacular time to be involved in harness racing," Sy said.

"We watched Niatross qualify at the Meadowlands," Sy recalled. "He broke stride but still came in fourth and went on to set a record of 1:49.1 in a time trial at Lexington. We were there when he took that record at the Red Mile."

During the July 4th weekend of 1980, trainer-driver and co-owner Clint Gailbraith was preparing Niatross for the $100,000 Battle of Saratoga. Niatross got to the front easily on the muddy track, eased past the half, and continued to lead into the last turn. In a freak accident Niatross, his sulky and driver all went tumbling over the small, white hub rail as the crowd gasped.

One writer watching the race compared the incident to watching the Hindenburg disaster. But tragedy was averted; Niatross got up and walked off with only a few scratches, and Gailbraith emerged unscathed as well. Trenton Time went on to win the race in 1:59.3, but few among the crowd were watching the finish.

"There are so many memories, and talking about Niatross brings them all back to life," Sy said. "There are too many to recall, but all in all, I’d say it was one spectacular ride."

-30-