from the Maryland Standardbred Breeders Association

Delmar, MD — Saturday (Feb. 15) was a night of great celebration for the Maryland Standardbred industry as the Maryland Standardbred Breeders Association and the Cloverleaf SOA held their annual awards banquet dinner.

The Maryland breeding industry and Maryland Sires Stakes program has exploded with activity in 2014. Maryland now has 35 quality stallions registered for the Maryland Sires Stakes program and tremendous growth is expected.

This was a night, however, to honor and celebrate those breeders, owners and horsemen that bucked the trend to move their breeding and racing stock to surrounding states and kept their operations in Maryland. The numbers were small but the commitment was mighty from everyone that worked to keep the breeding industry alive.

The 2013 2-year-old colt/gelding pacer went to Spinout by Spunout who was bred by A. Daniel Myer and Gary Humphreys and owned by Gary Humphreys. The 2-year-old pacing filly went to Coming Out On Top a Cam’s Rocket, bred and owned by Michael Hans. The 2-year-old colt/gelding trotter was awarded to Doc Banning’s You Betcha who was bred by Thomas and Linda Winebrener and is owned by Sharon Roberts. The 2-year-old trotting filly was Ruby Rayne by Doggone Yankee, bred by William Long and owned by Dale Massey.

The 2013 3-year-old colt/gelding pacer went to Firecracker Freddy, a Cam’s Rocket bred and owned by Roger Hans. Another Cam’s Rocket was honored as Bonnie Ben Jammin received the 3-year-old pacing filly of 2013. She was bred and owned by Brian Emerson. Wrapping up the 3-year-old honors were Perfect Tententen by Straight Up Lindy, bred by Meadow Creek Stables, LLC and owned by Elam Petersheim, who received 3-year-old colt/gelding trotter.

Beeder John Tignor received the older pacer award for Southern Allie and Sound The Belle received the older trotter award for Nicholas Callahan.

Roger Hans and Thomas Cooke’s Cam’s Rocket, whose offspring captured three out of the five pacing awards given, was named Pacing Stallion of the Year, while Straight Up Lindy received the Trotting Stallion honors. He was owned by Jason Leid, when he stood in Maryland.

Special Achievement awards went to Racing Naked, bred by William Camp, Jr.

President Myer ended the evening by awarding Gina Maybee with a President’s Award for all of her dedicated work to help the Maryland Standardbred Breeders Association rebuild.

The Maryland Standardbred Breeders Association is excited about the revitalization and opportunities that are happening in the Maryland breeding industry. The association has recently overhauled its website and began an advertising campaign throughout the industry, inviting people to breed in Maryland and expand its membership.

If you would like more information on breeding in Maryland you may go to the website at www.mdbreeders.org or contact President Dan Myer at 410.603.1585.