Wise Awake named year's best at Finger Lakes

Wise Awake, a 5-year-old New York-bred mare who won 8 of 14 starts this season at Finger Lakes, has been named the western New York track’s horse of the year by the local Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

Owned and trained by M. Anthony Ferraro, Wise Awake dropped to the bottom $4,000 claiming level on May 17 after back-to-bak off-the-board finishes in allowance company. She proceeded to reel off six consecutive wins while rising in class. In her most recent win on Nov. 6, Wise Awake defeated an allowance field that included stakes winner Bob’s Dylan.

Wise Awake was also honored as the track’s top female condition-allowance horse.

Among the other honorees was Lisa’s Booby Trap, who was voted top 3-year-old filly. Trained by Tim Snyder, Lisa’s Booby Trap receievd national media attention after she scored four straight victories by a combined margin of nearly 43 lengths, including a win in the $70,000 Loudonville Stakes at Saratoga.