MORRISVILLE, NY— One of Morrisville State College’s Thoroughbreds raced its way to victory at the Finger Lakes Racetrack June 9.
The win went to Don’t Back Down, a Bay Gelding trained by Dr. Clyde Cranwell, associate professor and director of the college’s Thoroughbred program, for a $9,000 purse. The horse, purchased as a yearling, was broke and trained with students in MSC’s Thoroughbred racing program.
Don’t Back Down sprinted to the lead, increased his margin while never being challenged, then drew off in the stretch, according to the Finger Lakes Gaming Racetrack website.
It’s the college’s first win of the season at the track, located in Farmington. A unique feature of the college’s Thoroughbred program is a summer option where students can gain actual experience racing horses at the Finger Lakes Racetrack with Cranwell. The college has notched several wins there in the past. Their season typically begins in May.
Morrisville State’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
In addition to being named to the 2014 President’s Higher Community Education Service Honor Roll, the college was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an institution in the top tier of the Best Regional Colleges list and ranked second among regional colleges nationwide for outperforming its anticipated graduation rate.