by Mike Swatzel, president, Southern Ohio Valley Colt Circuit

Little Hocking, OH — The annual Southern Ohio Valley Colt Circuit awards banquet was held on Jan. 10 at the Elks Club in Marietta. Champion 2- and 3-year-old racehorses that competed during the summer months at 11 Southeast Ohio county fairs were honored at the banquet.

The racing circuit consists of fairs located at Athens, Cadiz, Caldwell, Marietta, McConnelsville, Old Washington, Piketon, Pomeroy, Wellston, Woodsfield and Zanesville.

A group of about 60 horsemen and interested fans enjoyed a meal followed by the presentation of trophies to the owners of the best horses and to the top drivers.

The program also included special recognition of Walter E. Young of Barnesville, who began driving harness horses at the Caldwell Fair in 1945. During the 2009 racing season, at age 90, Young demonstrated his competitive edge by driving his horse, With A Little Luck, to the winner’s circle at the Harrison County Fair in Cadiz.

The 2-year-old filly trotter award was shared by two fillies that tied in points for the top honor. The success of Bit O Looks for trainer and owner Eric Nesselroad of Stockport resulted in her being one of the co-champions. Hat, owned by Joe Lanning of Zanesville and trained by Kathy Hawk of Orient, earned the other top trophy.

Eric Nesselroad garnered another award as owner and trainer of the top 3-year-old filly trotter Cavaliers Victory. This filly was victorious at seven of the 11 fairs. In the 3-year-old colt pace division, Eric trained the winner Here’s Hooter for owner Fred Polk of Zanesville. The gelding won nine races on the circuit.

As a result of his outstanding achievements, Nesselroad was also named the recipient of the best trainer trophy, the Terry Van Rhoden Trainer Award. In 50 circuit starts his trainees compiled 20 wins, 15 seconds and five third place finishes.

The 2-year-old filly pacers competed each week around half-mile tracks, also resulting in a tie for the best of the division award. Sharing this award were Pat’s Flash, owned by David Seif of Waverly, with Ed Davis as her trainer, and SS Sky Magic, owned by Johnny and Shirley Stant of Circleville.

With five stake victories, Bouttofindout, owned by John Hauman of Newark, was recognized with the 3-year-old colt trot award. He was trained by Russell Britton and driven by Ryan Holton, who received the Best Driver Award for this division.

Raymond Brandt of Zanesville was proud to accept the 3-year-old filly pace award for his champion Here’s Matty, who won at six of the circuit’s 11 fairs. Ryan Holton also received the Top Driver Award for this division, as well as the driver trophy for the 3-year-old colt pace.

Ronald Bates of Amanda took home the award for his 2-year-old colt pacer Jackson One, who won five races and was trained by Justin Hall and Angela Barker of Chillicothe. Driver Shawn Barker II was the top driver for this very competitive division and received his first award on the circuit.

Duane Lowe of Malta received top honors for his homebred 2-year-old colt trotter Hezahummer, who had five victories for his regular driver, Bill Long, Jr. As a result, Bill won the Top Driver Award for this division, as well as the driver trophy for the 2-year-old filly pace division.

Ryan Holton of Millersport was presented with the overall top driver award for the third year in a row. He reached the winner’s circle an outstanding 32 times to earn the Fred McVicker Driver Award.

The Sid Spencer Driver Award, which is given to the driver who has the most points earned by finishing either first through fifth place, was Ryan’s second honor as he easily outdistanced his closest competitors. Don Spencer of Pomeroy also accumulated considerable points to surpass the other drivers to win the top driver trophy in the 3-year-old filly trot division. The 2-year-old filly trot driver award went to John Ryan Melshimer.