OHHA past presidents set track records at fair

Grove City, OH – The Wood County Fair in Bowling Green, Ohio is the home fair for Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association past presidents Steve Bateson and John Konesky lll. The 2024 fair will be one the two won’t soon forget.  Bateson and Konesky were harness racing winners and set track records with the horses they train.

Bateson, who served as president from 2019 – 2023, was a winner on Sunday with Surfinthecanyon (Canyon Wind), while Konesky, the president from 2004-2007, was a winner on Tuesday with Stoney Ridgetop (Wishing Stone).

Surfinthecanyon made it look easy, winning the Signature Series Pace by 17 lengths in 1:57.2.  Steve’s son Case drove the five-year-old gelding to a sixth straight win.  Surfinthecanyon has won seven of nine The previous record of 1:57.3 was set in 2019 by Night Pro.starts this year.

“I have never had a horse this game for this long,” said Bateson.  “It’s not like we are winning invitationals, but these Signature Series races are serious.”

Having the entire family involved has made the winning streak special for Bateson.  “My son Levi takes good care of this horse, jogging and training him, and Case has been the driver the last three races.”

Konesky’s Stoney Ridgetop also had an easy trip, winning by nine lengths in 2:00.  Konesky piloted the five-year-old gelding to his fifth straight win in eight starts this year.

I Get It held the previous record of 2:00.2 set in 2022.

It was a day of celebrations for the Konesky family.  Konesky was celebrating his birthday.  He co-owns the horse with his son Patrick who was celebrating his wedding anniversary.

“Stoney Ridgetop is a really nice horse,” said Konesky.  “We take good care of him, and he has taken care of us.”

Stoney Ridgetop hit the board in all five starts as a two-year-old, winning three.  He set the freshman track record at Tiffin, Ohio before being turned out due to injury.

Konesky who trains as a hobby says it gives him a reason to get up in the morning.  “The object is to keep the wheels in motion, have a reason to get up in the morning and if I come close to breaking even it’s cheaper than owning a boat.”

by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA