Philos Hanover Pacer of the Year in PA

December 08, 2008

The elite of Pennsylvania harness racing came together at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Saturday night to participate in the second annual Celebration of Pennsylvania Harness Racing. The overall Pennsylvania Harness Horse of the Year was Philos Hanover, who won over $250,000 just at Harrah�s Chester in 2008 while competing consistently well in the top classes.

First to be recognized were the top point winners on the PA fair circuit, as follows:

2-Year-Old Colt Trotter--Columbia County

2-Year-Old Filly Trotter--Bank Star

2-Year-Old Colt Pacer--DVC Firm Believer

2--Year-Old Filly Pacer--Real Espresso

3-Year-Old Filly Trotter--SJ�s Future

3-Year-Old Filly Pacer--Ty�s Artist

3-Year-Old Colt Trotter--Tooth Ache

3-Year-Old Colt Pacer�Special Character.

The freshman filly Real Espresso got an extra mention as she was the only points leader to also win her Fair Sire Stakes Championship race.

The fair circuit yielded two more winners--Sue Brickell, a stalwart and passionate believer in fair racing, received the Mary Lib Miller Award (on Mrs. Miller�s 88th birthday), and Joe Offutt, trainer of one of the largest and most successful stables, won overall Trainer of the Year honors.

About the only thing Tim Tetrick had not won in Pennsylvania was a Driver of the Year title, but that situation was "corrected" this night. Attorney Howard Taylor, who used Tetrick behind such top distaffs of his as Buck I St Pat and Ginger And Fred, took home Owner of the Year honors.

The award for the Pennsylvania Breeders of the Year went to Arlene and Jules Siegel of Fashion Farms, a farm with national impact. Sam Stoltzfus, who owns just a couple of mares, won Small Breeder of the Year because of the impact a son of his broodmare Matt�s Filly had�that�s Shadow Play. Matt�s Filly was also elected Broodmare of the Year.

Julie Davis, a groom for the Ray Paver stable at The Meadows, was named Caretaker of the Year, with Paver describing her as "totally irreplaceable," and track chaplain Joe DiDonato hailing her as "the gold standard for caretakers."

Recognized for distinction in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes were In Focus, recent Breeders Crown winner, as Trotter of the Year, and the hard-hitting filly Native Bride, accorded not just Pacer of the Year honors but also Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Horse of the Year.

Three powerful figures were awarded the "Friend of Pennsylvania Harness Racing." Two have "opposite" jobs, but they both bring Pennsylvania harness racing to a higher level: John Marshall, vice president and general manager at The Meadows; and Ron Battoni, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen�s Association.

The evening�s loudest ovation was given to the final Friend awardee, Anton J. Leppler, Director of Harness Racing for the State Racing Commissions. Leppler is retiring at the end of the month after 23 years working for the commission. (Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission)

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