Brad Forward, who won both the leading Dash Driver and Percentage Driver of the Year trophies, finished off his season with four more wins on Saturday night (September 24).
After his first win, the Newfoundland native said he was encouraged to come to Hanover by one of his regular owners, and he says he really loved the track. Forward said the surface is always good at Hanover and he hopes to be back in 2017.
Becky Geisel of Hanover, Ont. won the Ray and Leu Leifso Trainer of the Year award after a banner season. Geisel had 39 starts with eight wins, eight seconds and nine thirds for over $25,000 in purse winnings. Geisel trained two of the horse award winners.
Cold Shadow won the Ab Fleishauer Horse of the Year award after four wins in 13 starts and a best winning time of 1:58. Geisel shares ownership with Shelley May of Walkerton, Ont. May said she has always enjoyed working with horses and wanted to find a horse she could use her massage therapy training on to see if she could get positive results.
Geisel also trained the Claimer of the Year, Shes A Star Reporter, who had 11 starts and a record of 3-4-3-1 and a best time of 1:58.1. Geisel said the four-year-old daughter of Sportwriter, who is owned by Wil Weatherall of Flesherton, Ont., is the boss of their relationship, indicating that Shes A Star Reporter is a bit of a handful at the best of times.
The other award went to Bob Walker of Owen Sound, Ont. for his Trotter of the Year, Margo Plicatus. The six-year-old had nine starts and a record of 2-2-4, and a season-best winning time of 2:00.2. Bob’s sister Jean Thibideau accepted the award on his behalf.
Hanover also handed out its season-ending prizes, including two lazy-boy recliners courtesy of Smittys Fine Furniture in Hanover, and the winner of a 55-inch Sony TV was Jane Bernier of Hanover.
Overall, Hanover was up about seven per cent in wagering compared to 2015, and was also up over 10 per cent in food and beverage sales.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.
(Hanover Raceway)