Just as sure as God made little green apples, Muscle Hill will be Horse of the Year for 2009.
That’s a no brainer. But it was a no brainer that Niatross was the Horse of the Year in 1980 after ushering harness racing into the sub-1:50 era, but someone still voted against him in the year-end poll.
So it’s granted that Muscle Hill will be Horse of the Year. I’ve never seen a colt trotter better than he and I just wish he’d been tested so that we could know just how good he really was. But what driver wanted to test Muscle Hill once he got to the front? You don’t tug on Superman’s cape and you don’t test a horse as great as Muscle Hill without paying the price.
What horses, however, will win the divisional honors in North America? That can lead to some interesting choices. Let me review some of the candidates and give some comments.
TWO-YEAR-OLD MALE PACER:
To me this honor belongs to Sportswriter. Yeah, he got nipped in his final start, but did you notice how he fought back in that race? Minus this narrow defeat, he was perfect and that’s good enough for me.
TWO-YEAR-OLD FEMALE PACER:
When the Teague Stable’s Fancy Filly beat Put On A Show in the Breeders Crown at Woodbine, I think it clinched the championship for this daughter of Western Hanover, but I think both will get some voting support.
TWO-YEAR-OLD MALE TROTTER
This is likely to come down to a duel between Lucky Chucky and Pilgrim’s Taj. Lucky Chucky has an 9-2-1 slate in 12 starts while Pilgrim’s Taj was 7-3-0 in 10 starts. The latter earned $737,627 while the former banked $667,792.
Lucky Chucky, trained by Chuck Sylvester, got a 1:55.1 mark while Pilgrim’s Taj, trained by Monte Gelrod, was clocked in 1:55.2 in his record effort.
Lucky Chucky beat Pilgrim’s Taj in the Valley Victory and the tables were turned in the Breeders Crown.
Take your pick.
TWO-YEAR-OLD FEMALE TROTTER
This will be another interesting contest as Poof She’s Gone has attained millionaire status, banking $1,037,099 and rival Costa Rica earned $970,171.
Costa Rica went a tick faster---1:55 to Poof She’s Gone’s record of 1:55.1. Both fillies won nine times.
Poof She’s Gone won the Merrie Annabelle and Breeders Crown over Costa Rica but Costa Rica took the Goldsmith Maid.
Again, take your pick.
THREE-YEAR-OLD-MALE PACER
Well Said without a doubt. Although If I Can Dream has picked up steam late in the season and he and Vintage Master have both banked more than $1 million, this race goes to Well Said.
THREE-YEAR-OLD FEMALE PACER
Maybe we should let trainer Tracy Brainard pick this one. Her fillies have dominated this division all season long.
In harness racing history, only 21 fillies have paced in 1:50 or faster as a sophomore. And Tracy Brainard has trained four of them in one season!
They are Not Enough, Shacked Up, Showherthemoney, and Yellow Diamond.
Not Enough and Yellow Diamond have put together incredible seasons. Tracy, take your pick.
THREE-YEAR-OLD MALE TROTTER
Well, duh. Muscle Hill.
THREE-YEAR-OLD FEMALE TROTTER
This is likely to go to Hambo Oaks and Breeders Crown champ Broadway Schooner, a daughter of Broadway Hall.
Elusive Desire and Windsong Soprano both had remarkable seasons, but I feel that the edge will go to Broadway Schooner. She won a tad more money, won two major events, and that should get her the trophy
OLDER MALE PACER
Shark Gesture won the most money and was consistent all season. Won The West paced the fastest mile. But you also had Mister Big, Bettor Sweet, Shadow Play, Art Official in this category. It was a great season for older pacers.
This group engaged in another war on Saturday night at Balmoral in the $200,000 American-National and Won The West came out on top. That will help him in the voting, but it’s always wise to bet on the horse with the most money in year-end voting and Shark Gesture earned $150,000 more than Won The West.
OLDER FEMALE PACER
Southwind Tempo earned almost twice as much as her rivals, so this contest goes her way again.
OLDER TROTTING MALE:
Lucky Jim. Missed a perfect season due to some bad luck. Even with good trotters like San Pail, Arch Madness, and Lanson, this category is no contest.
OLDER TROTTING FEMALE
This is likely to go to Buck I St Pat, but actually Classic Lane earned more money and trotted just as fast. Both have impressive credentials. Buck I St Pat went to Sweden for the Elitlopp but went offstride before the start, caught the field, then faded badly in a disappointing showing. Take your pick in this category.
Feel free to take shots at my nominees or make a case for a favorite horse. Tell me why I’m wrong in a certain category. Believe me, it won’t be the first time I’ve backed the wrong horse!