by Leon Zimmerman, for the New Jersey Sire Stakes

Trenton, NJ — Costa Rica, who dominated 2-year-old trotting filly competition, winning both New Jersey Sire Stakes Premier Division Championship Finals, was honored Sunday (Jan. 31) as overall NJSS Horse of the Year for 2009.

NJSS photo

Catherine Stearns Medich, left, chairman of the NJSS Board of Trustees, made the presentation to co-owner Christina Takter. She was accompanied by her daughter Elizabeth. Also pictured are Tracy Fielding, trainer Jimmy Takter and co-owner Jim Fielding.

The award, which is voted annually by the Sire Stakes Board of Trustees, is based only on performances in races for New Jersey-sired horses, including New Jersey Sire Stakes events and other major stakes and futurities for New Jersey-sired horses. In addition to the top honor, Costa Rica, a daughter of Muscles Yankee, was honored as NJSS 2-year-old trotting filly of the year.

The filly, a $23,000 yearling purchase bred by Perretti Farms in Cream Ridge, N.J., won all four of her NJSS starts, including the $200,000 Championship at The Meadowlands and the $100,000 Championship at Freehold Raceway.

Also honored at the event were these other 2009 divisional NJSS horses of the year: Gota Go Bullville (Matt’s Scooter), 2-year-old colt pacer; Dancin Barefoot (Rocknroll Hanover), 2-year-old filly pacer; Il Villaggio (Yankee Glide), 2-year-old colt trotter; Muscle Hill (Muscles Yankee), 3-year-old colt trotter; Table And Chair (Cam’s Card Shark), 3-year-old colt pacer; Scarlet McZara (McArdle), 3-year-old filly pacer, and Margarita Momma (Yankee Glide), 3-year-old filly trotter.