by Paul Ramlow, associate editor, Hoof Beats

Columbus, OH — Minnesota Harness Racing Inc. held their annual meeting and awards banquet on Saturday, Feb. 3.

The race for Minnesota Horse of the Year was a dead heat between Whata Terror and Khanbert.

Jamie Rucker photo

USTA Executive Vice President and CEO Eric Sharbaugh and Ron Banks of Banks Standardbreds, owner of Whata Terror, the co-Minnesota Horse of the Year.

Banks Standardbreds’ Whata Terror (who also was named Pacer of the Year) had 12 wins in 38 starts last year and banked $22,188. He took his season’s mark of 1:59 at the Fargo, North Dakota fair. The 8-year-old pacing gelding has won 93 times in his brilliant career, with earnings of $187,498.

Donald Schimek’s Khanbert banked $14,984 during his sophomore campaign in ’06, with four wins in 13 trips to the post. He was trained and driven by Robert Lems.

David Carter’s Shannon Rose was named Trotter of the Year after posting five wins in six starts last year. The 3-year-old daughter of Karpov is also trained and was driven by her owner.

Todd Walker was named Driver of the Year. He had six wins in 50 starts, a UDR of .313, and his mounts banked $18,822.