Ocean City, MD — The Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners’ Association (CSOA) and Maryland Standardbred Breeders Association (MSBA) celebrated the best of 2018 during their joint awards dinner held the evening of Friday (Feb. 8).

The Standardbred industry in Maryland has rebounded from a difficult period because of dedicated video lottery terminal revenue from the state’s casinos. There is now live racing at Rosecroft Raceway or Casino Ocean Downs in every month but January.

Maryland’s top horses were honored on Friday (Feb. 8) in Ocean City. Photo courtesy of CSOA.

“We appreciate your participation in the Maryland Sire Stakes and Maryland Standardbred Race Fund programs,” said Dan Myer, president of the MSBA. “We’re continually striving to make things better. The new 50 percent Maryland-sired bonus is a huge incentive to be part of the sire stakes program.

“We’d also like to thank (Maryland Jockey Club President) Sal Sinatra, who is very interested in making Maryland and Standardbred breeding successful, and (CSOA President) Ken Scholtzhauer.”

Beginning with the Rosecroft meet that began Feb. 6, Maryland-sired trotters and pacers can earn 50 percent on any purse earnings in overnight events. In addition, race preferences now include Maryland-foaled horses.

“We wish everybody could get an award tonight because everybody in this business works really hard at this,” Schlotzhauer said.

The awards program was emceed by Pete Medhurst, track announcer at Rosecroft Raceway.

The CSOA award winners for 2018 are as follows:
2-year-old colt or gelding pacer: Owzitgoin, owned by Breakaway Racing
2-year-old filly pacer: B For Real, owned by Bryan J. Truitt
2-year-old colt or gelding trotter: Whoopdee Goo, owned by Richard L. Hans
2-year-old filly trotter: Pats A Keeper, owned by Pamela E. Wagner
3-year-old colt or gelding pacer: Slick Tony, owned by George R. Leager
3-year-old filly pacer: Miss Choptank, owned by Legacy Racing of DE & Stephen Townsend
3-year-old colt or gelding trotter: What That Is, owned by Brian E. Emerson
3-year-old filly trotter (tie): Crystals Pistol, owned by Sylvanus B. King Jr., and Gaagaa Gone, owned by Corey Callahan
Older pacer: Sams Triple Crown, owned by Jerry D. Nock
Older trotter: Fashion Smile, owned by William C. De Lodovico
Older mare: Winter Games, owned by William “Bib” Roberts
Ocean Downs Horse of the Year: Hickory Aloha, owned by Joseph M. Offutt
Rosecroft Raceway’s Horse of the Year: Rock N’ Roll Jet, owned by Dawn D. Webb & William “Buddy” Bright

The MSBA award winners for 2018 are as follows:
2-year-old colt or gelding pacer: Berzerker, bred and owned by Brandon, Clifton and Wanda Murray
2-year-old filly pacer: B For Real, bred and owned by Bryan J. Truitt
2-year-old colt or gelding trotter: Whoopdee Goo, bred and owned by Richard L. Hans
2-year-old filly trotter: Pats A Keeper, bred and owned by Pamela E. Wagner
3-year-old colt or gelding pacer (tie): BT’s Breeze, bred by Bryan J. Truitt and owned by Bryan J. Truitt Jr., and Allie’s Finale, bred by Jacob R. Ramsburg and owned by LeBlanc Racing, Count De Money Stable, William P. Lutz & James W. Stuart
3-year-old filly pacer: Miss Choptank, bred by Olive Branch Farm & Philip Wilson and owned by Legacy Racing of DE & Stephen Townsend
3-year-old colt or gelding trotter (tie): Chucky De Vie, bred by Joie De Vie Farm and owned by Joie De Vie Farm & Paul Nigito, and What That Is, bred by Richard L. Hans and owned by Brian E. Emerson
3-year-old filly trotter: Gaagaa Gone, bred and owned by Corey Callahan
4- or 5-year-old pacer: Mr Ham Sandwich, bred by Brian E. Emerson
4- or 5-year-old trotter: Hybrid Henry, bred by Richard L. Hans
Pacing sire: Rusty’s For Real, owned by Fox Den Farm
Trotting sire: Googoo Gaagaa, owned by Richard L. Hans
Overall sire: Cam’s Rocket, owned by Roger Hans & Thomas B. Cooke

The CSOA and MSBA also honored Rocket Rosy (2008-2018) and Cool Flying Fun (2000-2019) “in remembrance;” I Wanna Go Fast, who retired in 2018; and Googoo Gaagaa for “international achievement” as a sire.

Ken Weckstein, an attorney and Standardbred owner from Ocean City who often drives his own horses at Rosecroft Raceway and Ocean Downs, was recognized “in appreciation” for his behind-the-scenes work on behalf of breeders and the CSOA.