Trot Insider has shared an update on the drivers and trainers leading the national standings with eight months of the calendar year in the books, and some familiar faces continue to set the pace.
Sitting second in earnings after the first half of the year, driver Doug McNair has vaulted to the top of the earnings chart. The Guelph, Ont. resident has banked $3,932,856 thus far in his Canadian starts, ahead of Trevor Henry ($3,792,418) and Louis Philippe Roy ($3,699,664). McNair boasts leads in both wins (198) and purses ($3,608,546) on the WEG circuit in 2017.
In the wins column, Bob McClure continues to lead all Canadian drivers with 333 victories. Canada's top driver for wins in 2016, McClure is the leading dash-winning driver at his home track -- Elora's Grand River Raceway -- as well as Flamboro and Georgian Downs. Following McClure in wins are Roy (265) and McNair (220).
Marc Campbell might not have the volume but his consistency has positioned him as the top percentage driver and trainer in Canada for the season. With a UDRS of 0.464, Campbell boasts the best driving average in the nation, ahead of Guy Gagnon (0.420) and Kelly Hoerdt (0.397). Campbell's training average is more impressive, a sparkling 0.549. That average tops Canadian trainers, ahead of Brandon Campbell (0.446) and Yves Tessier (0.441).
Trainer Richard Moreau's stranglehold on the Canadian wins and earnings charts continues, as it has for it seems the past few years. The Puslinch, Ont.-based trainer sports the most wins (175) and earnings ($2,443,739) among Canadian conditioners thus far this year and currently sits atop the trainers standings at Flamboro Downs (leading in earnings, one win off win lead), Georgian Downs (leading in wins and earnings), Grand River Raceway (leading in wins and earnings) and the WEG circuit (leading in wins and earnings).
Moreau leads Travis Cullen, second in wins (97) and earnings ($1,200,640) in Canada among trainers with Carmen Auciello ($1,102,332) third on the earnings side and Victor Puddy (78) third in wins.
**All statistics include Canadian starts from January 1, 2017 to August 31, 2017.
To keep tabs on the season leaders, visit Standardbred Canada's Harness Racing Statistics pages.