from Standardbred Canada

Mississauga, ON — On Monday (Dec. 17), Standardbred Canada announced the finalists for the 2012 O’Brien Awards, which honor 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 (Jan. 26).

The awards are named in honor of the late Joe O’Brien, an outstanding horseman and a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Sylvain Filion and Scott Zeron, both en route to career years in the earnings column, are the Driver of the Year finalists. The Trainer of the Year category has shaped up as a three-way battle among the defending champion, Jeff Gillis, four-time winner Casie Coleman and first-time nominee, Richard Moreau. Trainer/drivers Marc Campbell and Kelly Hoerdt are the finalists for the O’Brien Award of Horsemanship.

I Luv The Nitelife and Somwherovrarainbow are the nominees in the Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly division. Two outstanding colts will compete in the Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt category — Captaintreacherous and Mach Pride. The nominees for Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year are American Jewel and Malabrigo. Michael’s Power and Thinking Out Loud are the nominees in the Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt division. Anndrovette is back to defend her title as Canada’s Older Pacing Mare of the Year, while Rebeka Bayama is the other older pacing mare finalist. Millionaires Betterthancheddar and Foiled Again faced each other on multiple occasions over the course of the year and are the finalists for Older Pacing Horse honors.

Bee A Magician and To Dream On are the finalists for Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year. Wheeling N Dealin was invincible in nine season’s starts and a deserved nomination as Canada’s Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year. The other finalist in this category is Murmur Hanover. Check Me Out and Maven are the finalists for Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year. Intimidate and Market Share are the Three-Year-Old Trotting Colt finalists. Frenchfrysnvinegar will attempt to defend her title as Canada’s Older Trotting Mare against Pembroke Heat Wave. Daylon Magician and Mister Herbie are the Older Trotting Horse finalists.

One of the 24 horse nominees will be recognized as Canada’s Horse of the Year.

Al McIntosh Holdings Inc., of Leamington/Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. of Windsor and Warrawee Farm are the finalists for the Armstrong Breeder of the Year Award. Robert McIntosh Stables were winners of this award in 2007 and 2010.

For details on all the nominees, click here.