The California Harness Horsemen’s Association (CHHA) along with the California Sires Stakes held their annual banquet and awards ceremony in the clubhouse at Cal Expo this past Saturday, March 23.

Jim Perez, executive director for the CHHA, presided over the meeting along with Donna Newman, executive administrator for the Sires Stakes committee.

Perez talked about such items as an increased new horse incentive for the future 2024-2025 Cal Expo meet, the solid horsemen’s agreement and contract with Watch And Wager through to 2030, along with remembering horsepeople and horses who had passed away in the past year.

Chris Schick, general manager for Watch And Wager, spoke about the current successful meet at Cal Expo and the promising future for Cal Expo horsepeople.

Newman spoke of the Sires Stakes growth of foal crops since the program was revamped through legislation in 2017, along with the new policy of dropping the stallion registration fee starting with the breeding season of 2024. Newman then went on to present the 2023 Sires Stakes awards to Worthy Opponent and Divine Art.

Worthy Opponent was the four-year-old male divisional champion. The Hi Ho Silverheels-Mistup Magic gelding made 32 starts in 2023 with four wins, three seconds and three thirds, earning $39,085. He was owned by breeder Wayne Knittle through the Sires Stakes season and trained by Bob Johnson.

Divine Art was the four-year-old mare divisional champion. The former Alberta champion and O'Brien Award finalist is by Outrageous Art out of Keystone Divine. From 35 starts in 2023, she earned 12 wins, four seconds and four thirds while banking $120,634 in purses for owner/trainer Gerry Longo.

Longo also picked up the leading driver and trainer awards in the Sires Stakes.

Perez then went on to present the CHHA Horse of the Year award to pacing mare Give Me This Dance. It was the first time a mare has won this award in 36 years. As a four-year-old in 2023, the Wind Me Up-Dances On The Wind mare made 31 starts, recording 12 wins, seven seconds and one third while earning $130,649. She is owned by breeders Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte and was trained by Jose Castillo through the Sires Stakes season.

(With files from California Harness Horsemen’s Association)