On Tuesday night (February 27) Harness Racing B.C. held its annual awards banquet and feted the top horsepeople and equine athletes from the 2017 harness racing season.

The ceremony took place at Elements Casino's Dragon Lounge. The winners are as follows:

DRIVER, TRAINER, GROOM AWARDS

• Driver of the Year: 20 – 100 Starts – Kelly Hoerdt

• Driver of the Year: 101 – 250 Starts – Serge Masse

• Driver of the Year: Over 250 Starts – Jim Marino

• Driver Dash Winner – Jim Marino

• Rookie Driver of the Year – Robert E. Scrannage

• Trainer of the Year: 20 - 100 Starts – Serge Masse

• Trainer of the Year: 101 – 250 Starts – Rod Therres

• Trainer of the Year: Over 250 Starts – Jim Marino

• Trainer Dash Winner – Jim Marino

• Rookie Trainer of the Year – Blaine Chappell

• Groom of the Year – Andrea (Annie) Chappell

• Backstretch Award – Debra Dalton

BREEDING DIVISION AWARDS

• Two-Year-Old Filly – Scardy Cat

• Two-Year-Old Colt – Ron Bakardi

• Three-Year-Old Filly – Yoga Pants

• Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding – Millbanks Bart

• Aged Mare – Tajmeallover

• Aged Horse or Gelding – Illwinifican

• Broodmare of the Year – G VS Cam Can

• Breeder of the Year – Douglas Neyhart, Erik Neyhart, Donna Scrannage

RACING DIVISION AWARDS

• Outstanding Claimer: $6,000 & Under (Mares) – Drivers Seat

• Outstanding Claimer: $6,000 & Under (Horses & Geldings) – My Boss

• Outstanding Claimer: $7,000 & Over (Mares) – Katie Snoops

• Outstanding Claimer: $7,000 & Over (Horses & Geldings) – Lisplaced

• Aged Mare – Phone Terror

• Aged Horse or Gelding – Illwinifican

• Outstanding Performance – Yoga Pants

• The Bill H. Davis Fastest Mile of the Year – Buddy Weiser, 1:52.2f - April 15, 2017

• Hy Class Award – Wayne Pinette

• TBC Future Champion Filly – Marilyn

• TBC Rising Star Colt or Gelding – Canadian Pharoh

• Horseperson of the Year – Gord Abbott

• Standardbred Canada Owner of the Year – Douglas Neyhart

• Doug Gillespie Award – Shirley Waite

• Pat Brennan Memorial Award – Donna Scrannage

• Special Recognition – The Cloverdale Reporter

(with files from HRBC)