Union Bowman scored his 20th career win Wednesday, June 27 at Indiana Grand. It was just another day at work for the 11-year-old son of Newfoundland, who now has in excess of $440,000 in career earnings.
“He’s just a class act,” said jockey Rodney Prescott. “I rode him about four years ago and he goes out and does his job. He acts like a two-year-old and feels good. I noticed after the win photo, he bounced back down the track to the barn. He’s a neat old horse.”
Union Bowman earned win number 20 in a $15,000 one mile starter allowance event. Starting from the inside post and got away to his customary start, sitting near the back of the pack before beginning a late race rally around the final turn. In the stretch, Union Bowman had his ears pinned and his total focus on running down race favorite Ferocious Tiger and Declan Cannon, who had the lead. Union Bowman matched Ferocious Tiger for a few strides before getting the best of him and moving on for the win by one and one-half lengths. Southwest Trail and DeShawn Parker moved between horses to finish second over Ferocious Tiger for third.
Owned his entire career by breeders Fred and Neil McCrary of Petersburg, Ind. Union Bowman paid $4.80, $3.40, $2.10 across the board. It was his second straight win, earning a victory in his previous start at Churchill Downs, and his third in five starts for 2018.
Union Bowman started off his career in the fall of 2009 at Hoosier Park as a two-year-old. Since that time, he has competed at 10 different tracks and can run and win over the dirt or turf courses. Still a stallion, he has proven that longer distances are more in his wheelhouse with all but one of his 20 trips to the winner’s circle coming at distances of one mile or more. Seven different jockeys have guided him to wins. It was Prescott’s second win with Union Bowman as he guided him to victory in 2012 at Turfway Park.
Union Bowman was claimed out of a race at Churchill in late 2016, but the McCrary’s claimed him back a few months later at Oaklawn in early 2017. He’s been with his original connections ever since.
Trainer Joe Davis, who has been a staple on the Indiana circuit for the past 15 years, and the McCrary family have a longstanding partnership in horse racing. They have teamed up for success with numerous horses including standout Indiana stakes winners Geordie and Demido. Davis is among the track’s all-time top 10 trainers and earned the leading trainer title at Indiana Grand in 2009. McCrary finished second in the owner standings that same year.
In addition to his duties with his stable, Davis also serves as the president for the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA). McCrary owns an oil business near his home in southwestern Indiana.