The rise to the top of Canada's drivers standings has been nothing short of meteoric for 2016 Future Star winner and now two-time Driver of the Year finalist Louis-Philippe Roy.

Roy made his move to drive full-time at Woodbine Mohawk Park heading into 2017 after capping his first million-dollar season. Previously the Quebec native competed in the province's fair circuits before eventually ascending the ranks at Hippodrome 3R and Rideau Carleton Raceway soon after. His 2016 season also marked the first time Roy surpassed 100 victories in a year.

From his transition to the big stage Roy has only improved each season. In 2017 he won 380 races and $5.7 million in earnings and then eclipsed 1,000 wins in 2018. His 2018 campaign included 416 wins and over $7.4 million in earnings.

"2017 was really good for me, I just wanted 2018 to be as good," Roy said. "It ended up better, the difference coming mainly from the success with a lot of stake horses."

Now Richard Moreau's go-to driver, Roy has also experienced success on a scale transcending Canada's top circuit. Sophomore colt pacing finalist Jimmy Freight gave Roy the opportunity to race stateside including in the Meadowlands Pace, Messenger Pace and Carl Milstein Memorial. However 2018 Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final Night remains high on the young reinsman's credentials.

"I couldn’t have that much success without the support of Richard Moreau and I appreciate it, but I also had a lot of support from other trainers and owners. Super Finals night is a great example of it, I was driving in the eight different divisions, for eight different trainers, and it probably ended up being my highlight of the season."

Roy captured three OSS Super Finals titles in 2018, winning with two O'Brien Award finalists in Jimmy Freight and two-year-old trotting filly HP Titania Runner, as well as freshman pacing colt Keystone Concrete.

Roy competed for Driver of the Year honours in 2017 but finished runner-up to Doug McNair. This year Roy is nominated alongside Bob McClure, who was nominated for Driver of the Year in 2016 and has found similar success in his move to the Mohawk circuit as well as the grand stage.

The call from Standardbred Canada informing Roy of his O'Brien Award nomination wasn't unexpected, nor should it be for the driver that topped the nation in both wins and earnings.

"I would be lying if I said that I didn’t expect to get the call on being an O’Brien Award finalist," Roy said, "but I was happy to receive it. It’s always a nice night that closes a great year for everybody attending the awards. It’s also nice to meet new people or see people that you don’t see everyday at the racetrack."

Standardbred Canada will present the 30th edition of the O’Brien Awards on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale Hotel. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by contacting the Member & Stakeholder Relations Department at 905-858-3060. Tickets are $200 each (includes HST) and include a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, wine, and complimentary portrait.