6, 1:52.4s ($1,324,402)
Self Possessed – Pat Honey – Balanced Image
2009 summary: 26 – 9-5-4 ($354,210)
Trainer: Kent Baker
Drivers: Jody Jamieson, Mike Saftic
Owners: Kent Baker (ON), Cal Patterson (ON), Jo Anne Smith (ON), Randy Fielder (ON)
Breeder: Armstrong Bros. (ON)
One of the best Cinderella stories of recent years in Canadian harness racing, Armbro Chronicle added to his already impressive resume in 2009.
He started off the season on a winning note, capturing a leg of the Glorys Comet Trotting Series on January 10 at Woodbine Racetrack in 1:54.3.
After finishing fourth in the Glorys Comet final, Armbro Chronicle came back to win the Open Trot the following week on February 9. Making the victory more special was the fact the veteran trotter went over the $1 million mark in career earnings.
Armbro Chronicle won at the WEG Open level seven times over the course of the season.
He was also very competitive in several stakes events including a second-place finish in the $107,000 Earl Rowe final at Georgian Downs and a third-place effort in the $161,750 Frank Ryan Memorial at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
At season’s end, Armbro Chronicle had compiled a record of nine wins in 26 trips postward and added another $354,210 in earnings to increase his career bankroll to $1,324,402.
5, 1:52.1s ($1,054,965)
San Pellegrino – Village Beauty – Balanced Image
2009 summary: 24 – 12-4-1 ($730,250)
Trainer: Rod Hughes
Driver: Randy Waples
Owners: Glenn Van Camp (ON), Rod Hughes (ON)
Breeder: Glenn Van Camp (ON)
The smooth-striding trotter from Dunsford, Ontario became one of harness racing’s best stories in 2009.The homebred son of San Pellegrino - Village Beauty, co-owned by Glenn Van Camp and Rod Hughes, blossomed in his five-year-old season and rose to the very upper echelons of the sport.
His crowning moment came in Canada’s most prestigious race for older trotters, the $720,500 Maple Leaf Trot on July 25 at Mohawk Racetrack. That is where he conquered the sport’s best in front of a capacity crowd.
In an action-packed race from start to finish, the small-town hero held off world champion Arch Madness and the previously undefeated Lucky Jim in 1:52.1 for driver Randy Waples.
This victory validated his stature as one of the sport’s newest trotting stars and provided his connections with the thrill of a lifetime.
In total, San Pail won 10 Open events during the season, including four in a row during May and June at Mohawk.
With 12 victories in 24 starts and $730,250 in earnings, San Pail enjoyed what can easily be called a breakout season and joined harness racing’s exclusive millionaire’s club in the process.
Who do you think will win? If you haven't voted yet, head over to the 2009 O'Brien poll.