With the 2008 O'Brien Awards just hours away, the SC website will shine the spotlight on the finalists in each O'Brien division
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The final profile is for Trainer of the Year
Casie Coleman - For the fourth consecutive year, Casie Coleman is a finalist for the O’Brien Trainer of the Year. In 2005 the B.C. native became the first female in the history of the O’Brien’s to take home the trophy and she successfully defended that honour in 2006. She hasn’t looked back since as 2008 was another productive season for the Coleman stable. In addition to racing a strong stable of claimers and conditioned horses, Coleman was also very successful with her stakes performers.
Two O’Brien finalists, Chancey Lady and Arts Star were conditioned by Coleman last season. Sophomore pacer Chancey Lady, started the season under the care of Coleman and won three of her first five starts including the Fan Hanover during her $720,000 season. Juvenile pacing filly Arts Star was a consistent performer hitting the board in eight of her 11 starts for $185,000 in earnings. After Chancey Lady left the Coleman barn, she was able to pick up one of her chief rivals, A And Gs Confusion, who would go on to capture the Breeders Crown during her near half million dollar season.
Robert McIntosh - Robert McIntosh is looking to take home his fourth O’Brien as Canada’s Trainer of the Year as he has been honoured as the country’s top conditioner three times - 1991, 1992 & 1998. The 2008 season was another productive year for the veteran Windsor-based trainer as he topped the charts in the earnings department for Canadian trainers with $3.7 million in earnings while sending 159 winners postward.
Two O’Brien Award finalists, pacing colt Nebupanezzar, and trotting filly, Windsong Soprano led the McIntosh stable last season. Nebupanezzar was one of the richest Ontario-bred pacers of all time with over $1 million in earnings during a stellar campaign that included his domination of Ontario Sires Stakes events for his division and a dramatic victory in the Governors Cup.
Windsong Soprano was a productive stakes performer, picking up six top three finishes and over $345,000 in purse money. Other top performers for McIntosh last season included trotting filly Pasadena Princess who won over $207,000 and sophomore pacing colt The Mohegan Pan, a winner of over $353,000.
Casie had another great year
Casie had another great year both here in Canada and the US. I sure hope that the people who vote are following her great career. Good luck Casie
Casie should win the O'Brien
Casie should win the O'Brien Award as the top trainer and she should have won it last year.I guess we will all know in a few hours. Good luck Casie, you deserve the award.
Perry