Dean A. Hoffman

Brian Sears topped all drivers in money last year and Cat Manzi led all drivers in wins. In 2004, they had finished in second place in those categories, but in 2005 they added their names to the list of the most accomplished reinsmen in harness history.

Sears became the first driver to win more than $15 million in a season, and cracked an exclusive fraternity of big-money drivers that has been dominated in recent decades by John Campbell. Starting in 1979, Campbell has been the leading money-winning driver in North America 16 times, most recently in 2002. In his career, Campbell’s mounts have earned almost $232 million.

The late Billy Haughton, who died as a result of a racing accident 20 years ago, was the sport’s leading driver in earning a dozen times. Stanley Dancer, who passed away, last year, led drivers in earnings four times.

Cat Manzi is enjoying his first dash crown after a busy 2005 season. Manzi has won many of the sport’s most important races and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame, but the one laurel he quested for was the dash crown. He had been the runner-up several times, but he made it a point to go after the title midway through last season and finished the season with 727 wins.

The dominant driver in past dash titles is Herve Filion, who led in that category 15 times, starting first in 1968. Billy Haughton and Bob Farrington each led North America in winning drives six times since records were kept.

Click here for a list of the Previous Leading Money and Dash winners – 1946 to 2004.