Mr. Windjammer named Finger Lakes horse of the year

Mr. Windjammer, the only locally based horse to win more than one stakes at Finger Lakes last season, was named the track's 2009 horse of the year at the annual Finger Lakes Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association awards dinner on Tuesday.

A 5-year-old New York-bred owned by Stonegate Racing Stables and trained by Jonathan Buckley, Mr. Windjammer won the $50,000 George Barker Handicap and the $50,000 Leon Reed Handicap.

After the voting was completed, Mr. Windjammer scored a repeat victory in this year's running of the Barker on Memorial Day.

Gold for the Queen, who won last weekend's Susan B. Anthony Handicap, was voted best 3-year-old filly of 2009 on the basis of her win in the $75,000 New York Oaks.

Smokin Hero, winner of the Ontario County, was named top 3-year-old male.