With the first two months of the 2010 racing season now in the books, some familiar and fresh faces top Canada's driver and trainer leaderboards
entering the Monday, March 1 programs of live racing.
Having recorded 76 first-place finishes from 444 pari-mutuel starts, Simon Allard leads the nation in dash wins through the first two calendar months. Jody Jamieson currently sits second with 72 wins, followed by Scott Zeron (62), Brad Forward (61) and Mark MacDonald (60).
In terms of driver purse earnings, Randy Waples currently leads Canada, as the resident of Milton, Ont. has steered his '10 mounts to $1,120,245 in purses. Sylvain Filion currently sits second in driver earnings with $1,060,600. Mark MacDonald ($998,705), Mario Baillargeon ($851,695) and Rick Zeron ($851,346) round out the top five.
In the Universal Driver Rating department, 43-year-old Ed Hensley, who is currently racing at Fraser Downs, leads the nation with a healthy .448. He is followed by Gerry Hudon (.437), Per Henriksen (.433), Brad Forward (.401) and Eric Carlson (.400) (this category is currently based on a minimum of 45 starts).
On the training side of things, Ed Hensley currently occupies the top slot in the Canadian Wins category with 37. Rene Allard (31 wins) currently sits second. Jamie Copley, Richard Moreau and Ben Baillargeon, each of whose stables have recorded 29 wins thus far, are tied for third.
In terms of trainer purse earnings, Ben Baillargeon currently leads the nation with $482,509, and is followed by Tracy Brainard ($470,965), Rene Allard ($357,214), Richard Moreau ($348,824) and Murray Brethour ($320,865).
Through February, top BC conditioner Robert Merschback leads all Canadian trainers with a .509 Universal Trainer Rating. Ed Hensley (.497), Jamie Copley (.472), Gerry Hudon (.468) and Charles Taylor (.427) round out the top five (this category is currently based on a minimum of 45 starts).
To view the complete list of driving and training leaders in Canada, click here.