Details have been released in regard to the upcoming annual Minnesota Harness Racing Awards Banquet, which will crown the state’s champion trotters and pacers from the 2019 season.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, February 22. There will be a full day of events beginning with check-in from 1-2 p.m., followed by the MHRI Annual Meeting and reports. Cocktail hour will begin at 4 p.m. and will be followed by dinner. The divisional awards presentation will get underway at 6:15 p.m.
For the second year in a row, the MHRI Banquet will take place at Vanelli's by the Lake in Forest Lake, MN, which is just a few miles and five minutes away from Running Aces.
This year, in addition to the customary reports on MHRI business, and reports from the MRC (Minnesota Racing Commission) as well as principals from Running Aces and neighboring Wisconsin and Iowa Harness Racing, Ivan Axelrod will be welcomed as guest speaker.
MHRI will honour divisional champions in 12 categories, as the champions of 2019, and voting will take place amongst the banquet attendees as to the overall 2019 Minnesota Harness Horse of the Year (the floor will be opened up for nominees followed directly by balloting for the distinct honour of 2019 MHRI Horse of the Year). In addition to the divisional champions, MHRI will also honour the runner-up in each category.
Also on tap will be the traditional MHRI Banquet raffle and the live stallion auction to close out the evening.
For more information about the 2020 MHRI Annual Banquet and Meeting, please contact MHRI Executive Secretary Patty Strand via email at [email protected].
(With files from Minnesota Harness Racing)