Jags Rasin handled top-level competition consistently, and earned Fredericton Raceway's Horse of the Year honours during the track's annual awards banquet
on Saturday night. The son of Rayson Hanover captured the Albert Goodine Memorial Pace in 1:57.2 during FREX Week, and was an impact player at several Maritime harness racing tracks throughout the 2010 season.
A homebred for veteran owner Mel Land of Hopewell Cape, N.B., Jags Rasin was swift off the gate on many occasions. He will return for his seven-year-old campaign for trainer Sandra Foley, who was named Trainer of the Year at the capital city oval. The same owner-trainer combination produced the season's Top Two-Year-Old Filly, Forceful Putnam.
Driver of the Year went to Saint John-based horseman Gilles Barrieau, who earned a spot in the National Driving Championship with a solid effort at the Charlottetown Driving Park earlier in the day. Barrieau finished second to Island reinsman Kenny Arsenault. Both will represent the Atlantic Provinces at the Nationals May 7 in Charlottetown. Fredericton's Todd Trites was only two points away from a qualifying position, finishing in third spot.
Rideau Carleton Raceway's announcer and Trot Radio host Norm Borg was on hand as the guest speaker at the Fredericton Motor Inn.
Other award winners included:
Top Rookie Driver - Stacy Gay
Top Aged Horse - Melodys Cookie Boy
Top Aged Mare - My Bright Penny
Claimer of the Year - R Es Andrew
Most Improved Horse - Hurricane Island
Top Four-Year-Old - Ace On The River
Top Three-Year-Old Colt - Furiously Fast
Top Three-Year-Old Filly - Hello America
Top Two-Year-Old Colt - Woodmere Sandman
Fredericton's 2011 season is slated to open on Thursday, May 19.
(HRNB)