4, 1:52 ($725,776)
Lindy Lane – Heartland Classic – Super Bowl
2009 summary: 25 – 6-9-1 ($479,685)
Trainer: Edward Lohmeyer
Drivers: Daniel Dube, John Campbell, Michel Lachance
Owners: Robert & Lauren Tucker (NJ)
Breeder: Dunroven Stud (KY)
Each year certain horses come out of the woodwork and surprise observers with their achievements. Classic Lane was one such performer in 2009.
The daughter of Lindy Lane - Heartland Classic had enjoyed a solid three-year-old campaign but stepped her game up to another level as a four-year-old.
She served notice in early May that she was a budding star when she finished a close second to Falls For You in a leg of the Classic Series at The Meadowlands.
In her next Classic Series engagement at Mohawk Racetrack on June 6, Classic Lane scored a mild upset for driver Steve Condren in 1:54.2. She came right back the following week to capture the $353,710 Classic Oaks final in 1:53.3.
That streak continued with a sparkling 1:52 victory next time out in the $100,000 Matchmaker at The Meadowlands - her career-best winning time.
Classic Lane demonstrated her consistency throughout the year, hitting the board in 16 of her 25 trips postward while putting away $479,685 for her connections.
5, 1:55.1f ($262,358)
Angus Hall – Rose Street Jewel – Sierra Kosmos
2009 summary: 32 – 14-3-4 ($169,919)
Trainer: Lyle MacArthur
Driver: Lyle MacArthur
Owners: Linda Wellwood (ON), Tammy Aspden (ON)
Breeder: Stephen Dey (NJ)
The six-year-old daughter of Angus Hall - Rose Street Jewel was a workhorse in 2009, making 32 appearances on racetracks across Ontario and competing from January right up until the end of October.
After starting out at the lowest condition level at the beginning of the season, Gostreet worked her way up to being a regular competitor in the Preferred ranks at Georgian Downs.
Trained and driven by Lyle MacArthur, Gostreet took her lifetime mark of 1:55.1 in the second leg of the Masters Series on June 30. Just 12 days later, she recorded her biggest career win in the $116,000 Masters Series final with a 1:57.3 win.
Gostreet compiled three-race win streaks on two separate occasions throughout the season while hitting the board in 21 of her season’s starts.
Who do you think will win? If you haven't voted yet, head over to the 2009 O'Brien poll.