Natalie Elliott and Jack Wray, both owner-trainers, were the big winners on Saturday evening (Feb. 25) as The Raceway at Western Fair District honoured its top performers from the 2022 season in front of a capacity crowd at the Top Of The Fair dining room.
Elliott’s Heavy Dude E (connections pictured top left above) was awarded the M & T Printing Group Overall Horse Of The Year along with top Older Trotting Horse on the strength of a 10-for-37 season in which he banked just shy of $70,000 while racing primarily at The Raceway.
Veteran Jack Wray (top right) took home the most hardware with Greystone Treasurer winning both Older Pacing Mare and Claimer of the Year and his Okeeheelee capturing Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly.
Trainer Lorne House also doubled up as Greystone Ian O was honoured as top Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt while Pembrook Legacy N got the nod as top Preferred Pacer.
Tyler Borth and Travis Henry (lower right) finished in a tie for top driver in 2022, both with 144 wins, while O’Brien Award finalist for Future Star, Cassidy Schneider (lower left), received the award as Trainer of the Year.
It was the first in-person awards night held at The Raceway since 2020. Below is the complete list of award winners:
Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt – Greystone Ian O
Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly – J One Twenty
Three-Year-Old Trotting Colt – Jayport Roadrunner
Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly – Okeeheelee
Aged Pacing Horse – Y S Delight
Aged Pacing Mare – Greystone Treasure
Aged Trotting Horse Heavy Dude E
Aged Trotting Mare – Power and Grace
Claimer Of The Year – Greystone Treasure
Rookie Of The Year – Punchesinbunches
Preferred Pacer – Pembrook Legacy N
Preferred Trotter – Scene A Magician
Driver Of The Year – Travis Henry/Tyler Borth (Tied)
Trainer Of The Year – Cassidy Schneider
Caretaker Of The Year – Sofia Antolini
Ruth Herbert Horsewoman Of The Year – Natasha Day
Overall Horse Of The Year – Heavy Dude E
(The Raceway at Western Fair District)