from the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Assn.

Okemos, MI — Michigan horsemen gathered at Sports Creek Raceway on Saturday night (Jan. 12) to honor the achievements of their fellow horsemen.

One of the night’s first order of business was to express our thanks to our friends in Lansing who have worked tirelessly on our behalf as we look for ways to rebuild our industry. Representative Kevin Daley and Senator Joe Hune were presented with 2012 MHHA Appreciation Awards for their strong support of the horse racing industry. Both Sen. Hune and Rep. Daley were on hand for the banquet and promised to keep fighting on our behalf.

Below is a complete list of 2012 awards.

2012 MHHA Appreciation Award
Senator Joe Hune
Representative Kevin Daley

2012 Amateur Driver Award
Richard Roach

2012 Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association Club Awards
2012 Point Champion – Richard Roach
Denny Walton Memorial Appreciation Award – Ladd Biro
Mark Jones Memorial Appreciation Award – Pat Miller

2012 MHHA Caretaker Of The Year
Scott Graham
Allison Hill
Mariah Wright

2012 MHHA Headliner Of The Year
Mach Pride
p,2,1:51.4s
14 6-3-4 $433,438

2012 MHHA Rising Star Of The Year
Toni Langhann
73 Starts: 14-17-11 $71,257

2012 MHHA Breeder Of The Year
Mike Sweeney

2012 MHHA Owner Of The Year
Scott Stapleton

2012 MHHA Trainer Of The Year
Marie St. Charles
179 Starts: 62-17-21 $235,714 .438

2012 MHHA Driver Of The Year
Marc St Louis Jr.
1,028 Starts: 220-150-111 $595,823 .335

2012 MHHA Aged Trotter Of The Year
Here Comes Jenny – 1:55.4f $49,995

2012 MHHA Aged Pacer Of The Year
Casey’s Lil Harry – p,1:51.3f $61,141

2012 State Champions

2-year-Old Filly Trotter
Kendall Marie
Keystone Nordic – Commanding Juan
Program Earnings: $29,578 Record: 2,2:01.1f
Owner/Breeder: Keith and Claudia Hough
Trainer: Keith Hough
Driver: Peter Otten

2-Year-Old Colt Trotter
Zeplin
Hard Rock N Roll – Noble Jacky
Program Earnings: $30,043 Record: 2,2:03.2f
Owners: Kelly Goodwin and Michael Lee
Breeders: Bonley Farm Inc.
Trainer/Driver: Kelly Goodwin

2-Year-Old Filly Pacer
Super Soph
Admirals Galley – Platinum Card
Program Earnings: $58,777 Record: p,2,1:57.1f
Owners: Ryan Morefield, Brian Campbell and Mark Wamp
Breeder: Pebble Creek Farms
Trainer: Greg West
Driver: Jason Merriman

2-Year-Old Colt Pacer
That’ll Be The Rei
Cheyenne Rei – Unspeakable Joy
Program Earnings: $55,871 Record: p,2,1:56.3f
Owners: Dan and Tom Courtemanche
Breeder: Rei’s Gang LLC
Trainer/Driver: Mike Micallef

3-Year-Old Filly Trotter
Olympic Jewelry
Coventry – Rompaway Olympia
Program Earnings: $43,965 Record: 3,2:00.4f
Owners: Chestnut Acres LLC, Tracee Hathaway and Frances Merchant
Breeder: Chestnut Acres and Tracee Hathaway
Trainer: Kelly Goodwin
Driver: Mike Micallef

3-Year-Old Colt Trotter
Natural Forces
Lockkeeper – Janie’s Got A Gun
Program Earnings: $44,850 Record: 3,1:57f
Owners: ECS Racing LLC
Breeder: ECS Racing LLC and Starwin Farm
Trainer: Marie St. Charles
Driver: Skip DeMull

3-Year-Old Filly Pacer
Tropical Breeze
Canyon Wind – Freddi’s Surprise
Program Earnings: $54,848 Record: p,3,1:54.3f
Owner: Mike Sweeney and Phil Stommen
Breeder: Mike Sweeney
Trainer: Mike Sweeney
Driver: Jeff Sweeney

3-Year-Old Colt Pacer
Big Jer
Cheyenne Rei – Black Chana
Program Earnings: $51,803 Record: p,3,1:54.4f
Owner/Breeder: Patricia and Jerry Mulder
Trainer: Krista Williams
Driver: Brad Kramer

Michigan Harness Racing Hall Of Fame
2012 Inductees:
JC
p,1:52 $734,339
Keystone Nordic
Sired the winners of more than $17,500,000 through 2012.

Michigan Harness Racing Hall Of Fame
2012 Inductees:
Gene Oldford
Mike Sweeney

2012 Dan Rathka Memorial Award
Michigan Horseperson of the Year
To honor the individual who has significantly contributed to the good image and prosperity of Michigan harness racing during the year 2012.
Skip De Mull