Before He Cheats named Illinois Horse of the Year

Before He Cheats, the 3-year-old son of Valley Victor who tied as the winningest horse in North America last year with 21 victories, has been voted Illinois Horse of the Year by state’s USTA members.

Owned by former university of Kentucky and NBA basketball star Sam Bowie and trained by Dirk Simpson, he will be honored Saturday evening Jan. 19 during the awards banquet at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Ill., which will be held in conjunction with meetings of the USTA District 5 and Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association.

Unraced at two, Before He Cheats made 28 starts this year and listed among his triumphs the Pronto Don at DuQuoin, the final of the Su Mac Lad on Super Night at Balmoral Park, the Galt Open Trot at Maywood and a sweep of the Chester Series at Harrah’s Chester to close out the year with $320,189 in earnings.

Divisional winners include: 2-Year Old Filly Pace—Kelly’s Keepsake; 2-Year-Old Colt Pace—Mucho Sleazy; 2-Year-Old Filly Trot—Spread The Chips; 2-Year-Old Colt Trot—Maxter; 3-Year-Old Filly Pace—Sportsfancy; 3-Year-Old Colt Pace—Booze Cruzin; 3-Year-Old Filly Trot—Star Swagger; 3-Year-Old Colt Trot—Before He Cheats.

Other awards to be given out include Trotting Stallion of the Year—Valley Victor, Pacing Stallion of the Year—Cole Muffler; Trotting Broodmare of the Year—Nina Yorktown (dam of Before He Cheats); and Pacing Broodmare of the Year—Something Sleazy (dam of Mucho Sleazy).  

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