The 2021 Prince Edward Island Matinee Award winners were announced on Wednesday evening (Nov. 24) at the annual banquet held at the Top of the Park restaurant at Red Shores at Charlottetown Driving Park.
This year's awards were presented to the following winners:
Bill & Denise Andrew Award: Brett Clow
A draw among the youth participants was conducted for this award, with the winner receiving a helmet with the paint job (donated by Dwayne LeBlanc).
A Division Champion: Painted Pony, owned by Raymond White, driven by Brett Clow
B Division Champion: Sanchez Blue Chip, owned by Deanna Clow, driven by Brett Clow
C Division Champion: Intrepidus, owned by Heather Gamester, driven by Chris MacKay
Matinee Champion: Hopedale Paris, owned and driven by Albon Doucette
Rising Star Award: Lucas Bailey, Zac Noye and Carson Wilkie
Recognizing the bright future of three youths in the harness racing industry, three Rising Star winners were named this year and awarded a $50 Greenhawk gift certificate.
Greenhawk VIP Award: Brett Clow
The Greenhawk VIP is presented to an individual who exemplifies good horsemanship on and off the track. This year’s recipient has shown dedication towards achieving his pari-mutuel license and was awarded a new stopwatch.
Female Driver of the Year: Darla MacEachern
This year’s recipient became involved in the sport through her father Duane. This season, she enjoyed competing on the matinee circuit as a driver and secured a win in Kensington.
Susan Whelan Top Amateur Driver: Albon Doucette
This award is named in honour of Susan Whelan, who was instrumental in running the P.E.I. Matinee Track program for many years. This year’s recipient exemplifies dedication to the Matinee Program and has competed in every single Matinee card held this year, despite the distance he must travel from his West Prince base.
Standardbred Canada Owner of the Year: Intrepidus for Heather Gamester and Hopedale Paris for Albon Doucette (dead heat for the win)
Foiled Again Youth Achievement Award: Carson Wilkie
This award is named in honour of one of the greatest racehorses of all time. This year’s recipient comes from a family with strong ties to harness racing and his involvement in the sport began at an early age. He can often be found behind the mic at numerous matinee events as the track announcer for the day.
The replay of the awards show is available below.
(With files from PEIHRIA)