Many horsepeople tend to play coy with public statements when it comes to year-end awards. There is no doubt that the connections of the industry’s stars are gunning for the accolades after a hard-fought season, and rightfully so. One particular trainer is not even about to mince words about Horse of the Year aspirations.
The end of the calendar year is less than two months away, and harness racing’s biggest equine prize, Horse of the Year, is still up for grabs.
Shartin N got nosed out by McWicked for the honour a year ago. Joann Looney-King, who along with her husband Jim King, Jr. trains the six-year-old daughter of Tintin In America, is hoping to end the season on a high note at the Meadowlands Racetrack on November 23 in an effort to secure the lofty year-end accolade.
“We plan on being there for the TVG Mare Pace,” said Looney-King. “We are going to prep at Dover on November 13 if the race fills. I want [Horse of the Year] so bad, but she has to win. That’s what the voters want.”
When it comes to the horse of the year race south of the border, Shartin N’s main foe is the talented sophomore trotting colt Greenshoe, who, like Shartin N, tasted Breeders Crown defeat. Will Greenshoe be there on TVG Night? It doesn’t look that way.
“He probably won’t race anymore,” said trainer Marcus Melander. “He will go to Hanover now to stand stud.”
(With files from the Meadowlands Racetrack)