Now a quarter of the way into 2017, Trot Insider takes a look at the Canadian leaderboard to highlight the early season accomplishments of the nation's top drivers and trainers.
Woodbine regular Doug McNair has established himself as the leader for earnings out of the gate. The 27-year-old Guelph, Ont. resident was the first driver to crack the $1 million mark in purses for 2017 and has since added another six-figures to that number. Meanwhile, Elora, Ont. reinsman Bob McClure, 26, was the first driver to pass the 100-win mark on the year and is now up to 128 victories, with most of his success at Flamboro and Western Fair. Another young rising star, 27-year-old Mont Joli, Que. driver Louis-Philippe Roy, a newcomer to the WEG Circuit, sits second in both categories having earned 96 wins and driven horses to more than $960,000 in earnings racing between Rideau and Woodbine.
Four-time Canadian Trainer of the Year Richard Moreau, based in Puslinch, Ont., continues to top the stable standings with nearly $800,000 in earnings. Rene Allard sits second with his Canadian stable having banked over half a million dollars, but he has taken the slight lead in the win column, 56-54.
Serge Masse boasts a chart-topping URS of 0.648 on the driver side competing at Fraser Downs, while Fergus, Ont. horseman Craig Gilmour's 0.477 URS is best among trainers.
**All statistics include Canadian starts from January 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017.
To keep tabs on the season leaders, visit Standardbred Canada's Harness Racing Statistics pages.