Bythemissal named Ohio Aged Pacer of the Year

Grove City, Ohio – Bythemissal (Downbytheseaside), Ohio’s 2022 Horse of the Year, turned in another dominating harness racing season, winning the Breeders Crown on his way to being named Ohio’s 2023 Aged Pacer of the Year.

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing, and Weaver Bruscemi and bred by Stephen Dey lll, Bythemissal hit the board in 14 of his 16 starts, winning 11. In addition to winning the Breeders Crown, Bythemissal won the Sam McKee Memorial, the Myron Charna President’s Pace at MGM Northfield Park, the Aria Invitational Pace, the Allerage Open Pace, and the Potomac Pace International.  He earned $984,666 in 2023.

“I know I am biased, but I think he is the best Ohio-sired horse ever,” said trainer Ron Burke. “He just has a different way to him.  He can do things that other horses can’t.”

It marks the third year in a row that Ohio’s sophomore pacing champion repeated as the aged pacing of the year. Ocean Rock repeated in 2020-2021 and Charlie May in 2021-2022.

Bythemissal will be honored at the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Annual Awards Banquet on January 13, 2024, at the Mariott Columbus OSU in Columbus, Ohio. Tickets to the banquet are $30 each and can be purchased by calling the OHHA office at 614-221-3650.

The 2023 Ohio Horse of the Year will be announced at the annual awards banquet.

by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA