Hanover closed out its 2013 season with its year end driver, trainer, and horse awards Saturday night.
J Harris won three races on the final night to bring his dash total to 33 and claim the Dash Driver Award. Trevor Henry missed the final night, but his .417 driving average was two percentage points better than brother Wayne Henry, who had a win and a seventh-place finish on the final day.
The Ray & Lue Leifso Non-Driving Trainer Award went to Jim Watt of Clinton, Ont.
As for horses, the Ab Fleishauer Horse of the Year was Mach It Paid, owned by Isaac Waxman of Dundas, Ont. The nine-year-old won four of his five starts on the season, including race seven on the final day in 1:56.1 for driver J.B. Renaud.
The Trotter of the Year was Yo Gaba Gaba for owners Tyler Durst and Brydown Farms of Clinton, Ont. and trainer Heather Toll of Dungannon, Ont.
The Claimer of the Year was Stars Xample for owner and trainer Kevin McMaster of Guelph, Ont.
Off the track, Milford Adlam of Ayton, Ont. was the winner of the major season-ending prize, a $3,000 travel voucher courtesy of Hanover Travel and Cruises, Transat Holidays and Nolitours.
GM Gord Dougan said it was a difficult year with the changes to its partnership with the province, but the race meet was well attended with attendance, wagering and concessions all up over the previous year.
Dougan added it was an action-packed season with perhaps the track's first ever Match Race featuring former Balanced Image and Dream of Glory champion Traverse Seelster setting a new track record for trotters. The track hosted three live bands, held “So You Think You Can Drive,” “Bring a Friend to the Races,” a well attended Open House, a Survivor Handicapping Contest, and gave away more prizes than ever including two 50-inch TV’s with Country 93 and 92.3 The Dock, a trip for four to Cobble Beach, and a $2,500 home renovation, plus two new Lazy Boy Recliners courtesy of Smitty’s Fine Furniture and 92.3 The Dock.
Dougan said Hanover Raceway staff went above and beyond and he is hoping for bigger and better things to come in 2014, which will be the track's 50th anniversary of pari-mutuel wagering.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)