For the second straight year, the top sophomore colt pacer in Ohio gave the fans a year to remember. Bythemissal became the first Ohio-bred to win the Little Brown Jug in 34 years and captured the Ohio Sires Stakes Championship on the way to being named Ohio’s 3-year-old Pacing Colt of the Year.

The Raceway at Western District has announced its top performers for 2022 and will honur the winners during an in-person event on Saturday (Feb. 25) at the Top Of The Fair restaurant.

Former Batavia Downs driving regular Larry Stalbaum has only been racing at the Downs as a part-time ship-in in recent years as his base of operations has moved away from western New York. But after spending more time in Genesee County this past year, Stalbaum was a force to be reckoned with on opening day (Jan. 9) of the first winter meet in over 20 years as he trained and drove five winners on the 13-race card that produced the highest betting handle since 2019.

If not for a break in the first turn of her first race, Rose Run Yolanda might have had the perfect freshman campaign. The daughter of Triumphant Caviar rallied to finish second then won the rest of her races on the way to winning the Ohio Triple Crown and being named the 2-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year.

Jacob Baird of Northfield, Ohio, has been named the recipient of the 2022 Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Terry Holton Youth Award.