Buffalo Raceway names McNeight Jr. Horseman of the Month

HAMBURG, N.Y. — For harness racing driver James McNeight Jr., it’s been a pretty good run during the month of June for him and thus has been selected Buffalo Raceway’s ‘Horseman of the Month.’

So far in June, McNeight has posted eight victories in 61 attempts and has collected $71,900 in purse earnings. He has already topped his 2022 win total at Buffalo Raceway with 30 on the year and should easily eclipse last year’s winnings of $256,634.

“It’s nice to get the recognition,” the 26-year-old McNeight said. “Everyone has been coming up to congratulate me.”

He described his success in June very simply by saying, “I’ve had competitive horses in good spots.”

McNeight comes from a long line of family members who have been on the Western New York circuit including his father Jim McNeight along with grandfather Ed McNeight Sr., great uncle David McNeight Sr., uncle David McNeight Jr. and cousin David McNeight III.

While he had a plethora of family involved in harness racing growing up, McNeight never gave it much thought in his early years. “I never came around the horses until I was around 16 when my father needed help in the barns. Once I got into it, I fell in love with it.”

He went on to say that his father still gives him pointers with his driving. “He sometimes gives me some tips on what I could have done differently but never says anything too harsh.”

McNeight owns several horses, his favorite being Lunar Credit. “He is just a solid old horse.” He added that driving his own horses does have its advantages. “I don’t have to answer to anyone and if I mess up, I can only blame myself.”

He also recalls his first career victory, “It was Jim Dandy at Buffalo Raceway. I won two in a row with him back then. But it probably took me 20 to 30 races to get that first win.”

McNeight does enjoy it when the New York Sire Stakes comes to town. “I try to watch closely the drivers that come in and see what they do and pick their brains if I get the chance,” he said.

As for the future, McNeight is happy at the way things are progressing for him on the Western New York circuit. “I like to drive and I like to race as much as possible. But if I was given a chance to race elsewhere (like Yonkers or The Meadowlands), I’d do it in a heartbeat.” He quickly added, “I do love racing at Buffalo and Batavia…when it’s warm.”

But for the time being, McNeight Jr. is content doing his craft and continues to follow in the footsteps of his family.

For winning ‘The Horseman of the Month’ award for June, McNeight receives a gift certificate from the Lakeshore Cafe, 3255 Lakeshore Road, Blasdell, N.Y., Univet Equine Nutritional Supplements, and custom made colored browbands from Ross Perry.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway