by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association

Columbus, OH — Blue Chip Bloodstock, Winbak Farm, Not To Worry Stable and Steve Demeter’s Roll With Joe, the sport’s leading moneywinner in 2011, was named New York’s Horse of the Year. The award was announced at Sunday’s New York Sire Stakes and U.S. Trotting Association District 8 banquet at Batavia Downs.

Lisa photo

Roll With Joe took his mark of 1:48.2 in winning the Meadowlands Pace.

Roll With Joe, who will head to stud this winter at Blue Chip Farms, earned more than $1.6 million this year. His 2011 wins included the Meadowlands Pace, in which he took his record of 1:48.2, the Messenger Stakes, Battle of the Brandywine, a first heat division of the Little Brown Jug (he was second in the final) and a Somebeachsomewhere division. He was also second in the Pepsi North America Cup Final and Breeders Crown Final.

In addition, Winbak Farm was named Breeder of the Year for the New York County Fair, New York-Bred Late Closer and New York Sire Stakes programs. Doug Ackley was named Driver and Trainer of the Year in the County Fair Division, Ed Hart and Jason Bartlett were named Trainer and Driver of the Year in the Late Closer Division, respectively, and Jim Morrill, Jr. was named Driver of the Year and Linda Toscano the Trainer of the Year in the New York Sire Stakes.

The awards banquet was held in conjunction with the U.S. Trotting Association District 8 annual membership meeting.