Tyler Borth had a good idea that he'd win the dash title for drivers at Hanover Raceway in 2023, but Canada's leading dash winner this year came out of the season finale at Hanover on Saturday, Sept. 16 with more honours and awards than just the one.
A pair of wins on Saturday gave Borth 22 tallies during the 2023 season, besting Travis Henry's 15 victories. Borth also took home the top dash winning percentage driver title (for drivers with 15 or more drives) with a 22.9 per cent success rate over the season.
Perhaps fitting, Borth's final win of the day (and the season) came in the 2023 Bud & Ethel Fritz Memorial Pace. Sent off at 8-5 with Coz Im Special, Borth got room to angle the favourite into the three path around the final turn around YS Delight (Todd Ratchford) to take aim at pacesetter Rose Run Vortex (Paul MacKenzie). Coz Im Special got up in the final strides to best Rose Run Vortex by a half length in 1:58.2. YS Delight stayed for third in the $10,000 dash.
Coz Im Special (Mystery Chase - Cozamel) is owned by Rick Rier of Hanover, Ont. and trained by Shayne Barrington. The five-year-old mare picked up her fourth win of the year and 14th lifetime, lifting her earnings to $165,025. She paid $5.20 to win.
After the win with Coz Im Special, Borth was presented with the Bud Fritz Rising Star Award, awarded to an up-and-coming trainer or driver who races at Hanover Raceway and who shows strong potential to continue to grow and become a star in our industry in the future.
Tyler Borth (third from L) receives the Bud Fritz Rising Star Award from (from L) Dale Fritz, Monica Fritz and Hanover GM Scott Price.
Hanover also recognized the following award winners on Saturday:
- Dash Winning Trainer – Cassidy Schneider
- Ray and Lue Leifso Award – Mauricia Miller
- AB Fleishauer Horse of the Year Award – Stars Treasure
- 2023 Claimer of the Year - Derby Dylan
For the results from the 2023 finale at Hanover Raceway, click the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.