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, has been selected overall NJSS Horse of the Year for 2009.

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 NJ 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 chosen NJSS 2-year-old trotting filly of the year.

Other divisional winners of 2009 Sire Stakes horse of the year honors are: 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.

Costa Rica, trained by Jimmy Takter and driven mostly by Ron Pierce, earned $177,950 in NJSS competition and $864,961 overall for owners Christina Takter and John and Jim Fielding. 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.

Gota Go Bullville, a home-bred trained by Stephen Crevani and owned by him along with his wife, Carole, earned $179,875 in NJ-sired competition in 2009, winning the $125,700 Lou Babic Memorial Pace and the $100,000 NJSS Premier Division Championship, both at Freehold.

Dancin Barefoot, another Takter trainee, blossomed in NJSS Premier Division races at Freehold, winning two legs and the $100,000 championship for owner Louie Camara. She earned $87,250 of her $91,981 in purse money in NJ-sired races.

Il Villaggio, winner of the $200,000 NJSS Premier Division Championship at The Meadowlands, earned a total of $116,550 in NJSS competition for Brittany Farms, Blue Chip Bloodstock and Il Villaggio Partners. Erv Miller trained the colt, who earned a total of $464,521 overall.

Muscle Hill, undefeated in 2009 with victories in all the major 3-year-old colt trotting races, raced only twice in NJSS competition. He won a preliminary leg and the $200,000 Premier Division Championship at The Meadowlands for owners Jerry Silva, TLP Stables and Southwind Farm and trainer Greg Peck.

Table And Chair stood out in NJSS competition at Freehold, winning the $100,000 championship for trainer Ben Stafford, who co-owns the sophomore pacing colt with Ed Gold. He earned $91,840 of his overall $161,105 in purse money in NJSS races.

Scarlet McZara earned $161,680 in NJ-sired racing, mostly with her victory in the $200,000 NJSS Premier Division Championship at the Meadowlands and a third-place finish in the Tom D’Altrui Miss New Jersey Pace. Bart Dalious trains the 3-year-old pacing filly for the Wiz Kids Stable.

Margarita Momma, co-owned by trainer Jan Johnson and Jorgen Jahre, won both her NJSS starts, a preliminary leg and the $200,000 NJSS Premier Division Championship at The Meadowlands. She earned a total of $119,200 in NJSS races and $610,460 overall, with a fourth-place finish in the $783,042 Hambletonian Oaks.

The horses will be honored at the annual New Jersey Bred Equine Breeder Awards dinner on January 31, 2010 at Charley’s Other Brother in Easthampton, N.J. Tickets cost $27.50 each and can be obtained by calling 609-984-4389 or 609-292-8830.