Consistently strong efforts all day from Alberta-based drivers Kelly Hoerdt and Jamie Gray landed them atop the standings at the end of Saturday's (June 23) Western Regional Driving Championship (WRDC) at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino near Calgary, Alta.

Hoerdt and Gray now advance to the 2018 National Driving Championship (NDC) at Grand River Raceway in Elora, Ont., on Wednesday, September 26.

Hoerdt, used a win in the fourth leg with Take On Da Boys and two second-place finishes to land atop the standings at tournament's end with 46 points. The veteran horseman has driven over 1,900 winners and has sent over 1,600 winners to post as a trainer in his career.

"The key was getting lucky and driving really good horses for really good trainers," Hoerdt said in the winner's circle following the WRDC. "I thank those guys for participating in this. They don't know who they're going to have on their horses, and it's much appreciated."

Gray, a winner of over 2,400 races in the sulky used a win with Steal The Diamonds in the third leg, as well as second and third place finishes to take runner-up honours overall with 43 points.

Of advancing to the National Driving Championship, Gray said, "It should be fun, and it’s a little bit of a surprise for me."

Not one to turn down the opportunity for a chirp after British Columbia drivers swept the first three races, Gray concluded, "I think we just outdrove the B.C. boys, me and Kelly. That's all I have to say."

Five different drivers were winners in the event. Only Jim Marino of BC was able to get to the winner’s circle twice.

Here are the final standings:

• Kelly Hoerdt     46
• Jamie Gray          43
• Jim Marino          41
• Dave Hudon        39
• Paul Davies         38
• David Kelly          33
• Phil Giesbrecht   20
• Mitch Rey             19

Gallery

Race-by-race recaps of the afternoon's six tournament races follow. The races were carded as races 3 through 8.

Race 3: Dave Hudon captured the first tournament leg with Itchin To CU ($18.00), gunning the four-year-old Mystery Chase Mare to the lead from post 1 and never looking back en route to a 1:59.3 score. Itchin To CU controlled fractions of :29.2, :58.2 and 1:28.4 before holding clear of pocket rival Centala Cougar (Kelly Hoerdt) in the homestretch while under strong encouragement. Cenalta Shade (Paul Davies) overcame a gapping Tricky Bet at race's midpoint to take third and finish in touch with the top pair.

Race 4: Under patient handling from Jim Marino, Outlawintriguedbyu ($40.10) sprung a major upset to reel in pacesetter Lookslikewemadeit (David Kelly) for a 1:59.4 triumph. The four-year-old daughter of Blue Burner sustained a three-wide push around a stalled Take Me Im Yours (Paul Davies) through the entire far turn before mowing down a clear Lookslikewemadeit in the final yards. Gary Clark owns and trains the six-time winner.

"I was just driving for a cheque, and things just worked out," Marino said of his victory in the second tournament race. "You never know what's going to happen; you need a lot of luck."

Race 5: The efforts of Jamie Gray and Steal The Diamonds to steal the race on the lead were thwarted after a :56.4 first half proved too ambitious, and Paul Davies was able to pick up the pieces from second-over with Sayitlikeyoumeanit ($9.30) in 2:01.3. Steal The Diamonds, who put five lengths on the field heading to the clubhouse turn, was reeled in by Acesndeuces (Phil Giesbrecht) midway on the far turn, but Sayitlikeyoumeanit, now owned and trained by Garry Schedlosky after Davies campaigned him in B.C., lunged late to narrowly reach amid the collapsing pace. The seven-year-old Whatayasay gelding earned his seventh career victory.

Race 6: Kelly Hoerdt and Take On Da Boys ($16.00) continued the procession of longshots emerging from off the pace, circling the field for a 2:00.3 score. After Alot Of Sense (Paul Davies) made a three-wide push up the backstretch to engulf Crash My Party, Take On Da Boys made her sweeping move from astern and took over just inside the eighth pole before drawing clear. Senseless Beauty (Dave Hudon) re-emerged after being shuffled to save second. Take On Da Boys, a six-year-old JK Royal Flush mare, earned her 30th career win.

Race 7: A mid-race duel between Play Day (Phil Giesbrecht) and Tripper (David Kelly) resulted in another imploding pace, and Camita B And E ($28.50) had the last word after numerous leadership changes in the final three-eighths of a 1:59.1 mile. Jamie Gray drove the six-year-old Camystic gelding for trainer Nathan Sobey, while Rock Allstar (Kelly Hoerdt), who took over briefly at the top of the stretch, finished second and propelled Hoerdt into the lead with one tournament race remaining.

Race 8: Jim Marino captured his second win in the WRDC with Jennas Lass ($10.10) in the final tournament race, but it was only enough to lift him back to third in the overall standings. The five-year-old Freedoms Pass mare made a three-wide push around a tiring Awhimaway (Paul Davies) up the backstretch and easily cleared early pacesetter Goldies Mach (David Kelly) en route to the far turn. The Samuel Johnson trainee maintained clearance over the late-rallying Lissoy (Jamie Gray) in deep stretch to ice a 2:00.1 victory, the eighth of her career.

More Regionals…

Hoerdt and Gray join Trevor Henry and Louis-Philippe Roy who finished 1-2 in the Ontario Regional , at the National Driving Championship. Four more drivers for the NDC will be determined next weekend at the Atlantic Regional and Quebec / Eastern Ontario Regional.

The Atlantic Regional Driving Championship will be held next at Truro Raceway in Truro, Nova Scotia followed by the Quebec/Eastern Ontario Regional on June 30 at Kawartha Downs, near Peterborough, Ont.

The top two point-earners from each of the four regional competitions will advance to the National Driving Championship on September 26 at Grand River Raceway in Elora, Ont. The winner of the National Driving Championship will join 2017 World Driving Champion James MacDonald in the 2019 World Driving Championship, which will be hosted in Sweden.

The draw for the 2018 Western Regional Driving Championship, which will take place this Saturday (June 23) at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, is now complete. First race post time for Saturday's card of harness racing is 1:15 p.m. local time or 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time. The following drivers will be participating in the Western Regional Driving Championship:

Due to the number of horses entered to race Saturday, the eight drivers will participate in six competition races and the draw was an open draw for all six WRDC races.

“In general we're short of horses, the track had some issues recently and it's a long season. We can only play with the cards that are dealt,” said Jackson Wittup, Race Secretary for Century Downs. “That said, Century Downs is once again very pleased to be part of the World Driving Championship process.”

The WRDC races will take place in races 3 to 8. To view Saturday's entries, click on one of the following links: Century Downs - Saturday Entries - Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT).

Drivers will receive points based on their finishing position and the top two drivers will join six other drivers at the 2018 National Driving Championship (NDC) at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday, September 26.

The winner of the 2018 NDC will have the opportunity to represent Canada in the World Driving Championship (WDC), and join 2017 World Driving Champion, James MacDonald, in the 2019 WDC in Sweden.

SCORING

The Regional Driving Championships and the National Driving Championship will adapt the point system utilized in the World Driving Championship. Points will be awarded on the order of finish as follows:

Number of Starters 8:
15 (1), 10 (2), 7 (3), 5 (4), 4 (5), 3 (6), 2 (7), 1 (8).

Number of Starters 7:
14 (1), 9 (2), 6 (3), 4 (4), 3 (5), 2 (6), 1 (7).

• In the event of a scratch, the driving rep drawn to a horse shall drive the ‘also eligible’ horse.
• In the event of a horse being scratched or where no horse is available, five (5) points shall be awarded to the driver concerned. If a horse is disqualified or a horse and driver fail to complete the race, they will receive one (1) point.
• In the event of a dead heat for any placing in any race the points for the horses involved will be added together and divided equally among the drivers concerned (eg. If there’s a dead heat for third between two horses, the points for third and fourth place will be added and divided among the drivers)

Mississauga, Ont. - The field of eight drivers has been confirmed for the 2018 Western Regional Driving Championship taking place at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino on Saturday, June 23.

Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce that the following drivers will take part:

(where they qualified is in brackets)

• Paul Davies (British Columbia)
• Philip Giesbrecht (Alberta)
• Jamie Gray (Alberta)
• Kelly Hoerdt (Alberta)
• Dave Hudon (British Columbia)
• David Kelly (Alberta)
• Jim Marino (British Columbia)
• Michel Rey (Manitoba)

Invitations were extended to the top three drivers by wins for the Fraser Downs fall meet which kicked off in October and ended on April 14. Michel Rey was extended an invitation as he finished second in the 2017 Manitoba driver standings (the leading driver was not able to attend) while the four Alberta drivers were the leading drivers, by wins, for Century Downs’ current meet through Sunday, June 10.

“Century Downs is once again very pleased to be part of the World Driving Championship process,” said Jackson Wittup, Race Secretary for Century Downs. “I believe these events are special for the smaller tracks across Canada and we know that two drivers will represent Western Canada at the National Driving Championship at Grand River in September. With the new race track (Century Mile) opening next year in the Edmonton area we are hoping we will be more involved with these types of events.”

The eight drivers will participate in eight competition races, driving from every post position. Drivers will receive points based on their finishing position and the top two drivers will join six other drivers at the 2018 National Driving Championship (NDC) at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday, September 26. The winner of the 2018 NDC will have the opportunity to represent Canada in the World Driving Championship (WDC), and join 2017 World Driving Champion, James MacDonald, in the 2019 WDC in Sweden.

Here are the locations and dates for the three remaining regional events (in chronological order):

Western Regional (Includes drivers from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba)
Century Downs -- Saturday, June 23

Atlantic Regional (Includes drivers from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island)
Truro Raceway -- Friday, June 29

Quebec / Eastern Ontario Regional (Includes drivers that compete regularly at Kawartha Downs and Rideau Carleton Raceway in addition to Hippodrome 3R)
Kawartha Downs -- Saturday, June 30

Trevor Henry and Louis-Philippe Roy finished first and second in the Ontario Regional, hosted on Wednesday, May 16 at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and advance to the NDC.

Fegentri stands for the International Federation of Gentlemen and Lady Riders. In the early years of Thoroughbred racing, many riders were Amateurs, and amateur racing associations are still thriving in Europe. Amateur riders do not get paid a fee for riding, and many do not work in the industry but ride on weekends. Among Fegentri riders there are students, bankers, policemen and even a vicar – they ride for the love of the sport.

Fegentri started in 1955, and today 25 countries are members of the federation. There are about 60 races a year, and riders represent their countries over jumps as well as flat racing. The riders score points for how they finish in the races, and the best attend the World Championships at the end of the year.

The Longines World Fegentri Lady Rider 2018 Series has 26 races around the world including Qatar, Italy, France, Turkey, Germany, and Mauritius, to name a few. Canada has recently been invited to participate in the Fegentri races, largely in part because of efforts by former jockey Stephan Heiler. Stephan has been helpful in establishing ties with the Sheikh Mansoor Festival in Abu Dhabi and is the President of the Canadian Amateur Jockey Association, which was formed in March. “Amateur racing is very popular in Europe, and I would like to see a series of Amateur races in Alberta. It will really help promote the sport to a different group of people, and maybe we can encourage people from other disciplines to come train in the mornings and get involved. Amateur riders can bring a lot of passion and fun to the sport of racing,” says Stephan, “it’s also going to be a great bridge for some exercise riders who want to start race riding, but need to get some experience before they make the leap.”

Canadian Amateur Jockey Association has tested and approved their first amateur riders. Riders had to be tested on their abilities in the paddock, in the gate and working around the turn. Four riders were approved, including Kaylea Richardson-Hepburn, who graduated from the Olds College Exercise Rider program in 2009. Kaylea worked at the track for a few years and she rode as an Apprentice jockey in 2010 and 2011. Kaylea is officially retired from her professional jockey days, but she still loves to ride and loves to race. She’s participated in the past two Racing Under Saddle events on retired Standardbreds and the C Cup Classic against other amateur riders at Century Downs last fall. She was one of the first members of the Canadian Amateur Jockey Association and jumped at the opportunity to represent Canada in the Fegentri races. “I love racing. I love the speed and the adrenaline rush. When you load in the gate, and it’s just you and the horse the world stops. For a moment, time stands still and everything comes down to that moment. When you hear the bell and the gates open and the wind rushes by, your heart starts again. It’s the most amazing feeling!”

Kaylea will be flying to Pennsylvania and riding in her first Fegentri race on Saturday at Parx Racetrack in Bensalem. It’s Race 1, and 1 1/16 on the turf, which will be a totally new experience for Kaylea. She drew post 2 on A Princess She Is, and is 15-1 on the morning line. You can watch the Kaylea in Race 1 from Parx at 10:55 am (MST) on their live stream at https://www.parxracing.com.

The riders then get a day off before they move to Delaware Park outside of Wilmington, Delaware. The Fegentri riders take over the field in Race 5, 1 mile and 70 yards on the turf. Kayley drew post 9 with Classical Art in the 14 horse field. You can watch Kaylea at Delaware Park on Monday, June 11 in Race 5 at 1:15 pm (MST) on their live stream at www.delawarepark.com/racing/race-info.

Stephan Heiler has been working to get CAJA established, and he sees a lot of value for amateur riders to represent Canada in other racing jurisdictions. “Sending riders to other countries to race will expose them to different courses and surfaces, and will open some horizons for young riders.” The CAJA board is also starting to plan for a Canadian stop on the Fegentri line-up at Century Mile Racetrack & Casino and initial discussions have been promising.

We’ll be watching and cheering Kaylea on at Parx on Saturday morning and Delaware Park on Monday!

June 6, 2018 — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Edmonton, Alta – Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kent Verlik as Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Verlik has extensive senior leadership experience working with government, NGOs and industry stakeholders to create programs and services that improve Albertans' health, safety, and quality of life. Through transformational leadership, he has inspired innovation and lead organizational change.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Verlik was the Director of the Alberta Safety Codes Authority (ASCA). In this role, he was responsible for establishing ASCA and overseeing safety codes permitting and inspections services in unaccredited municipalities on behalf of the Government of Alberta.

Kent also held a variety of Executive roles as at the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC), including: Executive Director, Social Responsibility; Executive Director, Corporate Strategy & Social Responsibility; and Vice President, Lottery & Gaming. He participated on various national and provincial committees and presented regularly at both Academic and Industry sponsored conferences.

Mr. Verlik was born and raised in Edmonton where he has worked throughout his career. In 2000, his family moved to St Albert where his son and daughter were raised and graduated high school. Today, his family lives on a 42 acre hobby farm in Lac Ste. Anne County with their dogs and horses.

Active in the community, Kent coached his kids’ soccer teams, was a Parent Council member and President of their school`s fund raising society. Board experience includes: Director, Edmonton Heritage Festival Association; Director, Alberta Special Olympics; and Chairman, Edmonton Special Olympics.

Kent holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Advanced Graduate Diploma in Management from Athabasca University, a Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from the University of Toronto/St. Michael’s College and Certificates in Executive Leadership Development from UNLV and the Niagara Institute. He is also a 3-time Premier`s Award of Excellence recipient.

Mr. Verlik is excited about his new role, “I look forward to working closely with the HRA Board and all stakeholders to successfully move the Alberta Horse Racing and Breeding Industry into the future.”

Horse Racing Alberta is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mandate to govern, direct, control, regulate, market and promote the Alberta Horse Racing and Breeding Industry.

For further information, please contact:
Horse Racing Alberta
780-415-5432 or toll free 1-888-553-7223

A video flyover of the Century Mile worksite from May 24, 2018.

Photo gallery (stills from video)

Edmonton, Alta – Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) is pleased to announce that appointment of Mr. Gill Hermanns as the Chair of the Board.

Mr. Hermanns grew up in Winnipeg subsequently moving to Alberta in 1988 with his wife Allison. Their two sons were born in Calgary. In 1996 with his family they moved to St Albert where they still live today.

Mr. Hermanns has a diploma in Business Administration subsequently receiving his CGA designation in 1986, his CFE designation 1997 and his CPA designation in 2015. In 2018 he received his Fellowship: FCPA & FCGA.   

Mr. Hermanns worked 16 years for Canada Revenue Agency when he left in 1996 he was a team lead in Special Investigations. In 1996, he joined the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) upon his retirement in 2017 he was the Senior Vice President.

Mr. Hermanns involvement with horse racing in Alberta started in 1997 when he was responsible to ensure that the monies received by the horse racing industry under Racing Industry Renewal Inactive agreement with the Province was fully accounted for and in compliance with the RIRI agreement. In 2009 he was appointed as the Minister’s representative on the HRA Board. His appointment ceased upon his retirement from the AGLC in March 2017. In April 2017 the HRA Board appointed him as a Public Member and the Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee.

Mr. Hermanns is also very involved in the communities where he has lived from soccer, hockey, cubs/scouts, the local Community Association, member of the Accounting Advisory Board at Lakeland College and currently volunteers as a member of the City of St Albert Internal Audit Committee. 

Mr. Hermanns is looking forward to his new role, “I have great interest in seeing the industry move successfully into the future. Many communities in the province are touched by the sport. I look forward to working closely with all industry stakeholders in growing the sport.”

Horse Racing Alberta is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mandate to govern, direct, control, regulate, market and promote the Alberta Horse Racing and Breeding Industry.

-30-

For further information, please contact:
Horse Racing Alberta
780-415-5432 or toll free 1-888-553-7223

PIROPLASMOSIS

EFFECTIVE MARCH 14, 2018

Any horse coming from Texas or New Mexico must provide a negative PIROPLASMOSIS certificate issued in the last 6 months before being allowed on any Alberta racetracks.

Doug Fenske
Manager, Racing Supervision & Security
HORSE RACING ALBERTA

2017 O’Brien Finalists Announced

On Wednesday, December 20, Standardbred Canada announced the finalists for the 2017 O’Brien Awards, which honour Canada’s best in harness racing over the past season. The winners will be announced at the annual O’Brien Awards Black Tie Gala on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at the Hilton Mississauga / Meadowvale hotel in Mississauga, Ont. This will mark the 29th edition of the O’Brien Awards, named in honour of the late Joe O’Brien, an outstanding horseman and member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Seven past O’Brien Award winners are looking to add to their trophy collections and are either defending titles or are nominated in a new division. Past winners include: McWicked, Ariana G, Hannelore Hanover, Marc Campbell, Richard Moreau, Louis-Philippe Roy and the partnership of Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld.

In the driver of the year category, Doug McNair and Louis-Philippe Roy are the two finalists. McNair, a resident of Guelph, Ont., was a finalist for this award in 2013. He tops the charts in earnings for drivers in Canada with almost $5.9 million in purse money, while driving 315 winners postward. (as of December 19) He’s enjoying a career year and is the regular driver for O’Brien Award finalists, Stay Hungry, Bettors Up, The Joy Luck Club, and Sandbetweenurtoes. Louis-Philippe Roy, of Mont-Joli, Que., is also having a career year. Having won the Future Star O’Brien Award for 2016, Roy has become a regular driver on the Woodbine Entertainment Group Circuit and currently sits in second for wins in Canada with 369 trips to the winner’s circle to his credit while driving horses to $5.6 million in purse earnings.

Richard Moreau is looking to add to his trophy collection with another O’Brien Award in the Trainer of the Year category and is up against fellow nominee Gregg McNair, who is looking to clinch his first national title. Richard Moreau, of Puslinch, Ont., is the defending Trainer of the Year and is looking to take home his fifth consecutive O’Brien bronze.  Moreau, who trains O’Brien finalist Sandbetweenurtoes, leads all Canadian trainers in the wins column with 269 wins to his credit and over $3.6 million in earnings. Gregg McNair of Guelph, Ont., is enjoying a productive 2017 campaign with 63 winners and over $1.6 million in purse earnings recorded in Canada. McNair trains and co-owns O’Brien finalist The Joy Luck Club.

Marc Campbell of Winsloe, PEI, is a finalist for the O’Brien Award of Horsemanship along with Guy Gagnon of Gatineau, Que. Campbell, who won this award in 2012, is enjoying a career season in the sulky, as he has recorded 245 wins and over $574,000 in purse earnings. On the training side, Campbell has 126 victories and almost $370,000 in earnings this season. Campbell topped the charts for training and driving at both Red Shores properties – Charlottetown Driving Park and Summerside. Guy Gagnon is a regular trainer-driver at Hippodrome 3R and Rideau Carleton Raceway, where he topped the driver's standings for wins in 2017. To date this year, Gagnon has driven 199 winners and horses to earnings of almost $900,000. On the training side, he’s sent 77 winners postward and his stable has earned in excess of $334,000.

Two Shadow Play fillies, Kendall Seelster and Percy Bluechip, are the nominees in the two-year-old pacing filly division. Kendall Seelster hit the board in 10 of her 11 season starts with four wins and over $453,000 in purse earnings. The two-time Ontario Sires Stakes Gold winner took a mark of 1:51.1 in her commanding victory in a division of the Champlain Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack. Percy Bluechip, co-owned and conditioned by Dr. Ian Moore, who also managed her sire, scored five wins in nine races on the season and racked up over $440,000 in earnings. In addition to four wins in Ontario Sires Stakes events, including the season-ending Super Final, the talented filly also posted a wire-to-wire victory in the Eternal Camnation at Mohawk Racetrack.

Somebeachsomewhere colts Pedro Hanover and Stay Hungry are finalists in the two-year-old pacing colt division. Pedro Hanover won five races in eight starts and almost $350,000 in earnings. He took a mark of 1:51 in the $252,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Final at The Meadows, his richest payday of the season. Stay Hungry won six of nine races and bankrolled over $557,000 during a season that saw him score wins in a division of the Champlain Stakes, and an elimination of the Metro at Mohawk Racetrack. His crowning moment came in a sweep of the Breeders Crown at Hoosier Park where he took a nose victory in his elimination and came back one week later to score a neck victory in the final.

Bettors Up and The Joy Luck Club are competing for O’Brien honours in the sophomore pacing filly category. The Bettors Delight filly, Bettors Up, put together an outstanding season, finishing first or second in ten of her 17 races while adding over a half million dollars to her bankroll. She scored a career best 1:49.4 effort at Mohawk Racetrack in the Fan Hanover Final. The Joy Luck Club is the other finalist in this category on the strength of a productive campaign that included 14 victories and over $333,000 in earnings for the Camluck filly and included an Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final victory at Mohawk Racetrack.

Classic Pro and Mateo earned nominations in the three-year-old pacing colt division. Classic Pro won four of 14 starts and earned over $293,000 on the season. Two of those wins were in Ontario Sires Stakes events and one of those gave the Shadow Play colt his mark of 1:51. Mateo, sired by Alberta stallion Blue Burner, hails from the west and posted 15 top three finishes from 16 races and over $232,000 in earnings. His richest payday was a victory in the Western Canada Pacing Derby at Northlands Park. He also won several Alberta Sires Stakes events over the season.

Two millionaire daughters of Somebeachsomewhere, Sandbetweenurtoes, and Pure Country are the two finalists for Older Pacing Mare honours. Sandbetweenurtoes was a model of consistency, hitting the board in 24 of her 30 starts and earning over $243,000, while primarily competing in the Fillies and Mares Preferred races at Mohawk and Woodbine Racetracks. Pure Country had five wins and $471,000 in earnings this season which included a victory in the Breeders Crown Mare Pace.

McWicked and Sintra are the Older Pacing Horse finalists. McWicked was awarded an O’Brien for his outstanding three- year-old campaign in 2014. Now six, the son of McArdle had seven wins in 27 races and almost $600,000 in earnings. His richest payday came in winning the $225,000 Jim Ewart Memorial at Scioto Downs. He also posted runner-up efforts in an elimination and the final of the Breeders Crown. Sintra’s first year in the Older Pacing Horse division was productive as he won nine of 19 races and over $617,000. The son of Mach Three won Canada’s oldest harness stakes event, The Canadian Pacing Derby at Mohawk Racetrack, to take home the lion’s share of the $615,000 purse. He also won a leg and the final of the Graduate Series.

On the trotting side, Kadabra Queen and Smoke And Mirrors, both daughters of Kadabra, are the two-year-old filly nominees. Kadabra Queen won five of 10 races and over $328,000 on the season. All five of her victories were in the Ontario Sires Stakes, including a win in the season-ending Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final at Mohawk Racetrack, her final start of the season. Smoke And Mirrors won two races and over $176,000 in purse earnings. Her richest payday was a runner-up finish in the Super Final.

Alarm Detector and You Know You Do are the finalists in the juvenile trotting colt division. The Chapter Seven colt Alarm Detector was almost perfect in his debut season, winning six of seven races and $276,000. Stakes victories included the Define The World and an elimination and final of the William Wellwood Memorial. You Know You Do won five of 12 races and over $401,000 while scoring wins in the Bluegrass, a division of the Champlain, and sweeping the Peter Haughton Memorial.

Ariana G, a winner of an O’Brien at two, came back as a sophomore (trotting filly) stronger than ever. The Muscle Hill filly won 12 of 15 races during her million-dollar season. Her major victories included the Breeders Crown, Elegantimage, the Simcoe, the Hambletonian Oaks, the Delvin Miller Memorial and the New Jersey Sire Stakes final. The other finalist in the sophomore trotting filly division is Magic Presto. Despite an abbreviated season, the Kadabra filly had five wins and earnings of over $417,000, which included a victory in an elimination of the Hambletonian Oaks and a solid runner-up effort in the final.

International Moni and R First Class earned nominations in the three-year-old trotting colt division. International Moni won nine of 15 races and $620,000 this season, which included wins in the Erskine, a Breeders Crown elimination, a Kentucky Futurity elimination, the Bluegrass, a division of the Simcoe, an elimination of the Hambletonian and a sweep of the Goodtimes. R First Class boasted 11 top-two finishes in 12 starts for $307,000 in earnings. The son of Kadabra won three of six Ontario Sires Stakes events including the Super Final.

Hannelore Hanover is back to defend her title in the Older Trotting Mare division and is up against Emoticon Hanover. Emoticon Hanover finished on the board in 12 of 13 starts and earned $446,000. The daughter of Kadabra won the Breeders Crown, the Allerage, the Miss Versatility, and the Joie De Vie. Hannelore Hanover won 10 of 17 races this season while also posting five runner-up finishes. The Swan For All mare scored victories against male rivals in an elimination and final of the Breeders Crown Open Trot, the Allerage, and the Maple Leaf Trot. She also swept the Armbro Flight.

Musical Rhythm and Odds On Amethyst are the Older Trotting Horse nominees. Musical Rhythm, a son of Cantab Hall, was a solid preferred campaigner on the Woodbine Entertainment Group Circuit and finished the year with six wins and $178,000 in purse money. Odds On Amethyst, a son of Muscle Hill, scored 10 wins and surpassed $215,000 in earnings, while also primarily competing in the preferred and free for all trotting ranks.

In the Armstrong Breeder of the Year category, partners Marvin Katz of Toronto, Ont., and Al Libfeld, of Pickering, Ont., will defend their title against first-time finalist Stan Klemencic of Trenton, Ont. The Katz-Libfeld partnership has evolved into one of harness racing's most respected breeding enterprises. From the ten horses bred by this partnership and that raced in 2017, there were 27 wins and earnings of just over $1.5 million. Their top horse was O’Brien finalist Ariana G, a winner of over $1.1 million. Breeder Stan Klemencic had 18 horses that raced in 2017, with 57 wins and over $1.6 million in earnings. Leading the way was Breeders Crown champion What The Hill, a winner of more than $1 million.

The Future Star Award finalists are Brett MacDonald of Manotick, Ont., and Maxime Velaye of Mirabel, Que. In only his third season of full time driving, MacDonald, who was a finalist in this category last year, posted some very impressive numbers. The 21-year-old competes regularly at Rideau Carleton Raceway, and has driven 110 winners and horses to almost $590,000 in purse money. Trainer Maxime Velaye conditioned 23 winners and horses to over $323,000 in purse money. Although he raced mainly at Hippodrome 3R and Rideau Carleton Raceway, he also competed in the Ontario Sires Stakes events with a pair of sophomore colts, trotter Capteur De Reve, and pacer Histoire Enchantee.

One of the 24 horse nominees will be honoured as Canada’s Horse of the Year. The winners will be announced at the O’Brien Awards Gala on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at the Hilton Mississauga / Meadowvale Hotel in Mississauga, Ont.

A complete list of the finalists and their respective owners follows.

2017 O’Brien Award Finalists

Pacers

Two-Year-Old Filly Pacer

Kendall Seelster
Owned by 1187422 Ontario Inc., Ottawa, ON

Percy Bluechip
Owned by Shadow Two Stable, Puslinch, ON
James B & Wilma J MacKenzie, Ennismore, ON
Hudson Standrdbrd Stb Inc., Hudson, QC

Two-Year-Old Colt Pacer

Pedro Hanover
Owned by Brad D Gray, Dundas, ON
Denise Guerriero, Toronto, ON

Stay Hungry
Owned by Bradley J Grant, Milton, ON
Irwin Samelman, Las Vegas, NV

Three-Year-Old Filly Pacer

Bettors Up
Owned by Bradley J Grant & Teresa Davidson, Milton, ON
Michelle Y McEneny, Waterdown, ON

The Joy Luck Club
Owned by R A W Equine Inc., Burlington, ON
Mark Horner, St Marys, ON
R Gregg McNair, Guelph, ON

Three-Year-Old Colt Pacer

Classic Pro
Owned by Dr. Ian Moore, Puslinch, ON
R G McGroup Ltd., Bathurst, NB
Serge Savard, St Bruno, QC

Mateo
Owned by Christine Cutting, Airdrie, AB
Jim R Marino, Surrey, BC

Older Pacing Mare

Pure Country
Owned by Diamond Creek Racing, Wellsville PA

Sandbetweenurtoes
Owned by Bradley J Grant, Milton, ON

Older Pacing Horse

McWicked
Owned by S S G Stables, North Boston, NY

Sintra
Owned by Brad D Gray, Dundas, ON
Michael E Guerriero, Brampton, ON
Menary Racing Inc., Rockton, ON

Trotters

Two-Year-Old Filly Trotter

Kadabra Queen
Owned by Harness Horsepower Inc., Campbellville, ON
Frank Monte, Markham, ON

Smoke And Mirrors
Owned by Melvin Hartman, Ottawa, ON
David H Mc Duffee, Delray Beach, FL
Little E Llc, New York, NY

Two-Year-Old Colt Trotter

Alarm Detector
Owned by Thomas R Rankin & Elizabeth C Rankin, St Catharines, ON
Claude Hamel, Ayer’s Cliff, QC
Santo Vena, Brampton, ON

You Know You Do
Owned by Howard A Taylor, Philadelphia, PA
Order By Stable, Boras, Sweden
Bud C Hatfield, Columbus, OH
Mkatz Alibfeld Sgoldband, Toronto, ON

Three-Year-Old Filly Trotter

Ariana G
Owned by Marvin Katz, Toronto, ON
Al Libfeld, Pickering, ON

Magic Presto
Owned by Melvin Hartman, Ottawa, ON
Herb A Liverman, Miami Beach, FL
David H Mc Duffee, Delray Beach, FL
Little E Llc, New York, NY

Three-Year-Old Colt Trotter

International Moni
Owned by Moni Maker Stable, Enfield, CT

R First Class
Owned by Thomas A Rankin & Elizabeth C Rankin, St Catharines, ON

Older Trotting Mare

Emoticon Hanover
Owned by Determination, Montreal, QC

Hannelore Hanover
Owned by Burke Racing Stable Llc, Fredericktown- Weaver Bruscemi Llc, Canonsburg, PA
Frank D Baldachino, Clarksburg, NJ
J and T Silva Stables Llc, Long Beach, NY

Older Trotting Horse

Musical Rhythm
Owned by Santo Vena, Brampton, ON
Nunzio Vena, Bolton, ON
Claude Hamel, Ayer’s Cliff, QC
Benoit Baillargeon, Guelph, ON

Odds On Amethyst
Owned by William G Cripps, Acton, ON
Charles M Gazzola, Waterloo, ON
Patrick J Hudon & Adam Kean, Rockwood, ON

People Awards

O’Brien Award of Horsemanship

Marc Campbell - Winsloe, PE
Guy Gagnon - Gatineau, QC

Armstrong Breeder of the Year

Al Libfeld / Marvin Katz - Pickering, ON / Toronto, ON
Stan Klemencic - Trenton, ON

Driver of the Year

Doug McNair - Guelph, ON
Louis Philippe Roy - Mont-Joli, QC

Trainer of the Year

Gregg McNair - Guelph, ON
Richard Moreau - Puslinch, ON

Future Star Award

Brett MacDonald - Manotick, ON
Maxime Velaye - Mirabel, QC

Come out to Century Downs Racetrack and Casino and watch some familiar WPCA drivers race Standardbred horses.

Drivers competing on Saturday include:

• Colt Cosgrave
• Chad Fike
• Jordie Fike
• Dustin Gorst
• Barry Hodgson
• Jim Nevada

Bring the family out for a kids colouring contest, face painting, balloon twisting, candy scramble, meet a race horse and much more.

Meet the WPCA drivers, Miss Calgary and the Airdrie Rodeo Royalty.

• Harness racing starts at 1:10 pm
• Autograph session 1:30 pm