After a sensational racing season at Emerald Downs where he was unbeaten in a trio of stakes, including the 79th running of the Longacres Mile (G3), as well as two stakes placings on the always tough California circuit, Mona and Jim Hour’s Stryker Phd was a popular choice for both older handicap and horse of the year honors.
The now six-year-old gelding, his owners, breeders – Char Clark and Todd Havens – and his trainers, Larry and Sharon Ross, were warmly applauded by the crowd of over 200 in attendance for the Washington Thoroughbred Annual Awards ceremony held at Emerald Downs the evening of February 28. The Hours were also lauded as the leading owner by Washington-bred earnings in 2014, all due to Stryker Phd’s 2014 tally of $192,900.
Kama’aina Thoroughbreds’ (Zack and Beth Correa) Madame Pele, a year younger half-sister to Stryker Phd, earned her second state championship title when the now five-year-old daughter of Salt Lake was named champion older filly or mare. She hails from Washington Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jim Penney’s barn.
The two multiple champions are the first two foals out of 2014 Washington broodmare of the year Striking Scholar.
For the third year in a row, Karl Krieg’s homebred Absolutely Cool earned a year- end title. After being named the Evergreen State’s champion older horse in 2012, for the past two years the son of Absolute Harmony has been awarded top sprinter honors. Just two weeks ago, the now eight-year-old gelding gave Krieg a Valentine’s Day present when he took the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup at Turf Paradise.
Krieg also bred and races 2014 Washington champion turf horse Lady Rosberg and the now-five year-old daughter of Rosberg gave him another stakes victory on February 14 card in the Arizona track’s Sun City Handicap. Both Krieg runners are trained by Valorie Lund.
Last Rose Stables’ Noosito became the third Washington champion from the pairing of Harbor the Gold —Julia Rose, after a season which saw the then three-year-old win three Emerald Downs stakes and place in two other black-type races in five starts.
Champion sophomore filly honors went to Find Your Spot, a filly from the first crop of 2013 Washington leading freshman sire Nationhood. Raced by Jack Fabulich and Paul Heist’s Where We At stable and trained by Penney, Find Your Spot, who was bred by 2014 Washington leading breeders Rick and Debbie Pabst, won the Irish Day Handicap at Emerald and an allowance/$80,000 optional claimer at Santa Anita Park last year.
It proved to be a memorable evening for the Pabsts, who own and operate Blue Ribbon Farm in Buckley. In addition to earning leading breeder honors and producing Find Your Spot – their sixth state champion – the Pabsts were honored with the S. J. Agnew Special Achievement Award, the industry’s highest achievement. In the 35 years since the award’s inception, the Pabsts become only the 18th honorees of this prestigious recognition.
Two-year-old filly honors went to Todd and Shawn Hansen’s unbeaten homebred Ethan’s Baby, who was named in honor of their young son Ethan. The Hansens also stepped up to the podium to receive broodmare of the year honors for Striking Scholar, who they had purchased at the 2013 WTBOA Summer Yearlong and Mixed Sale.
R.E.V. Racing’s speedy Trackattacker, who won four of his five starts – including three Emerald Downs stakes – by wide margins was an easy choice as champion two-year-old colt or gelding. The son of Harbor the Gold was bred by Dr. Duane and Susan Hopp, who also bred Washington plater of the year Touch the Son.
Most improved plater accolades went to Dare Me Devil, who was bred by Andria Mengucci.
The first title of Washington-bred OTTB (Off Track Thoroughbred) of the year went to Mathematician, a 2004 gelding by Petersburg who earned 231 points through The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program while ridden in dressage by his teenage owner Keaton Hoy, of Beaverton, Oregon.
For the fourth consecutive year offspring of Gibson Thoroughbred Farm’s Parker’s Storm Cat earned him the leading Washington sire title. It was announced earlier this week that his leading earner, Ben’s Cat, had earned his fourth consecutive Maryland horse of the year title and record 14th state title overall.
The Thoroughbred Charities of America, in honor of their 25tth anniversary, presented The Prodigious Fund with the TCA Award of Merit.
The evening, which also featured lively live and silent auctions and a popular raffle, also saw the Mark Kaufman Media Award awarded to Marc Rosen, Executive Sports Producer for Q13 FOX TV.
Special Racetrack Achievement Awards were presented to popular and successful Emerald Downs trainers Mary Pirone and Monique Snowden.
Retiring Emerald Downs president Ron Crockett’s longtime industry contributions were acknowledged with a 2014 Special Achievement Award.
The WHBPA Willing Heart Award went to Thelma Lynn who retired last year as a steward for the Washington Horse Racing Commission and who was instrumental in establishing the Backstretch Clubhouse Daycare Center at Emerald Downs, which was the first on-site daycare center at a racetrack in the nation.
Industry favorites Joe and Sally Steiner were enthusiastically applauded as the winners of the 2014 WTBOA/WHBPA Special Recognition Award. The couple’s “presence, kindness and thoughtful deeds, as well as great food, have made the Quarter Chute Café at Emerald Downs a beloved landmark since the track’s inception.”
WASHINGTON CHAMPIONS & AWARD WINNERS OF 2014
2014 Washington Horse of the Year & Champion Older Horse
STRYKER PHD
(5YO, G., Bertrando—Striking Scholar, by Smart Strike)
Owners: Mona & Jim Hour
Breeders: Char Clark Thoroughbreds & Todd Havens (Western Stables)
Trainer: Larry D. Ross
2014 Record 5 3 1 1 $192,900
Stakes: Longacres Mile H.-G3 (EmD), Budweiser H. (EmD), Mt. Rainier H. (EmD),
2nd Big Bear S. (SA), 3rd Berkeley H.-G3 (GG).
WTBOA Sales Graduate
2014 Washington Champion Older Filly or Mare
MADAME PELE
(4YO, Salt Lake—Striking Scholar, by Smart Strike)
Owner: Kama’aina Thoroughbreds (Zack & Beth Correa)
Breeder: Char Clark Thoroughbreds
Trainers: Jim Penney & Mike Anderson
2014 Record 10 3 1 0 $77,135
Stakes: Mesa H. (TuP), Pegasus Training Center S. (R) (EmD), 2nd Hastings S. (EmD).
WTBOA Sales Graduate
2014 Washington Champion Sprinter
ABSOLUTELY COOL
(7YO, G., Absolute Harmony—Coup de Foudre, by Basket Weave)
Owner & Breeder: Karl C. Krieg (KD Thoroughbreds)
Trainers: Valorie Lund & Tom Wenzel
2014 Sprint Record 7 1 2 2 $70,745
Stakes: Phoenix Gold Cup H. (TuP), 2nd Swift S. (TuP),
3rd Governor’s H. (EmD), Caballos Del Sol S. (TuP), Bienvenidos S. (TuP).
2014 Washington Champion Turf Horse
LADY ROSBERG
(4YO, F., Rosberg—Enter Laughing, by Distorted Humor)
Owner & Breeder: Karl C. Krieg (KD Thoroughbreds)
Trainer: Valorie Lund
2014 Turf Record 2 1 1 0 $24,025
Stakes: Queen of the Green S. (TuP).
2014 Washington Champion Three-Year-Old & Champion Three-Year-Colt or Gelding
NOOSITO
(C., Harbor the Gold—Julia Rose, by Basket Weave)
Owner: Last Rose Stable (Jeff Harwood, Pat & Mullan Chinn, Delores Christianson,
Duane Weber, Terry Tonasket, Michael Pollowitz & Jeff Wilson)
Breeder: Bar C Racing Stables Inc. (Pam & Neal Christopherson)
Trainer: Doris Harwood
2014 Record 5 3 1 1 $105,525
Stakes: Auburn H. (EmD), Seattle Slew H. (EmD), Chinook Pass H. (R) (EmD),
2nd Coca-Cola H. (EmD), 3rd Emerald Downs Derby (EmD).
WTBOA Sales Graduate
2014 Washington Champion Three-Year-Old Filly
FIND YOUR SPOT
(Nationhood—Sudden Departure, by Demons Begone)
Owner: Where We At (Paul Heist & Jack Fabulich)
Breeders: Mr. & Mrs. Frederick L. Pabst (Blue Ribbon Farm)
Trainer: Jim Penney
2014 Record 6 4 0 1 $88,685
Stakes: Irish Day H. (EmD).
WTBOA Sales Graduate
2014 Washington Two-Year-Old Champion & Champion Colt or Gelding
TRACKATTACKER
(G., Harbor the Gold—Eclatante, by In Excess [Ire])
Owner: R. E. V. Racing (Roy & Ellie Schaefer)
Breeders: Dr. & Mrs. Duane Hopp (Castlegate Farm)
Trainer: Frank Lucarelli
2014 Record 5 4 0 0 $86,343
Stakes: WTBOA Lads S. (EmD), Emerald Express S. (EmD),
Daily Racing Form Dennis Dodge S. (R) (EmD).
2014 Washington Two-Year-Old Champion Filly
ETHAN’S BABY
(Offlee Wild—Hope and Vow, by Broken Vow)
Owners & Breeders: Shawn & Todd Hansen (Scatter Creek Training Center)
Trainer: Howard Belvoir
2014 Record 2 2 0 0 $37,043
Stakes: Angie C. S. (EmD).
2014 Washington Plater of the Year – TOUCH THE SUN (1997, G., Bertrando—Sweethrtofsigmachi, by General Meeting). Owners: Charles Garvey & TG Racing LLC; Breeders: Dr. Duane & Susan Hopp; trainer, Robertino Diodoro. 2014 Record: 15 7-2-3, $43,806
2014 Most Improved Washington Plater – DARE ME DEVIL (1998, G., Devil On Ice—She Can Too, by Western Fame). Owner: Sunset Racing; Breeder: Andria I. Mengucci; Trainer: Jeffrey Metz. 2014 Record: 11 4-1-1, $53,801.
2014 Leading Sire – PARKER’S STORM CAT (2000, Storm Cat—Macoumba, by Mr. Prospector)
Property of Mr. & Mrs. Elwin F. Gibson; Standing at Gibson Thoroughbred Farm
2014 Progeny Earnings of $840,520
2014 Broodmare of the Year – STRIKING SCHOLAR (2004, Smart Strike—Degree, by Vanlandingham) Owned by Todd and Shawn Hansen
3 named foals, 2 starters, both winners, 2 Washington champions STRYKER PHD, Horse of the Year (2014), champion handicap horse twice (2013, 2014) and MADAME PELE, champion 3-year-old filly (2013) and older mare (2014). Total earnings: $471,673.
2014 Top Washington-bred OTTB – MATHEMATICIAN (2004, gelding, Petersburg—Fibonacci, by Mahogany Hall) Owner & Rider: Keaton Hoy
With 231 points recorded through The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) Performance Awards
2014 Leading Breeder by Washington-bred Money Won:
MR. & MRS. FREDERICK L. PABST (Blue Ribbon Farm) Awarded on the Basis of Total 2014 Washington-bred Earnings of $383,107
2014 Leading Owner by Washington-bred Money Won:
MONA & JIM HOUR Awarded on the Basis of Total 2014 Washington-bred Earnings of $192,900
Other 2014 Awards:
Thoroughbred Charities of America Award of Merit: THE PRODIGIOUS FUND. Presented in honor of the TCA’s 25th anniversary and in recognition of the individual, organization or group that works to uphold the TCA mission of providing a better life for Thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing career, by supporting rescue, retirement and research and by helping the people who work with them.
S. J. Agnew Special Achievement Award: MR. & MRS. FREDERICK L. PABST (Blue Ribbon Farm). For their countless contributions for over 40 years, from breeding to racing, service to the Washington Thoroughbred community and WTBOA, commitment to youth and education and love of the Thoroughbred.
Mark Kaufman Media Award: MARC ROSEN, Executive Sports Producer for Q13 FOX TV.
For excellence in continuing coverage of Thoroughbred racing in the State of Washington
Special Racetrack Achievement Awards: 1) MARY PIRONE. Who enjoyed her finest season at Emerald Downs, recording career highs in wins & earnings & also had her first career stakes win with 2-year-old Seattles Best Copy in the Northwest Farms Stakes; 2) MONIQUE SNOWDEN. Who compiled a 7-5-4 record from 25 starts at Emerald Downs for 28% wins & 64% in the money, which included 2 stakes placements & was led by the stakes return of Disruption 2014
2014 Special Achievement Award: RON CROCKETT. For his steadfast commitment to keep Thoroughbred racing alive and vibrant in Washington through his leadership, as well as maintaining Emerald Downs as a significant member of the local sport and entertainment community for the last two decades
WHBPA Willing Heart Award: THELMA LYNN. In recognition of a lifetime of selfless dedication to the children and families of Washington Thoroughbred racing’s backstretch community.
WHBPA/WTBOA Special Recognition Award: JOE and SALLY STEINER. Whose presence, kindness and thoughtful deeds, as well as great food, have made the Quarter Chute Cafe at Emerald Downs a beloved landmark since the track’s inception.
Other 2014 Accomplishments:
Highest Priced WTBOA-sold Yearling Filly in 2014
TRIBAL RULE – BELLA CAMPANA, by Slewdledo
Sold for $57,000
Consigned by Griffin Place LLC; Purchased by Mark Glatt
Highest Priced WTBOA-sold Yearling Colt in 2014
TRIBAL RULE – ZENOVIT, by Private Gold
Sold for $51,000
Consigned by El Dorado Farms LLC (Nina & Ron Hagen); Purchased by Gary Hughes
Best WTBOA-sold Two-year-old Performer in 2014
TRACKATTACKER (G., Harbor the Gold—Eclatante, by In Excess [Ire])
Owner: R. E. V. Racing (Roy & Ellie Schaefer); Breeders: Dr. & Mrs. Duane Hopp (Castlegate Farm);
Trainer: Frank Lucarelli
2014 Record 5 4 0 0 $86,343
Stakes: WTBOA Lads S. (EmD), Emerald Express S. (EmD), Daily Racing Form Dennis Dodge S. (R) (EmD).
Best WTBOA-sold Three-year-old Performer in 2014
NOOSITO (C., Harbor the Gold—Julia Rose, by Basket Weave)
Owner: Last Rose Stable (Jeff Harwood, Pat & Mullan Chinn, Delores Christianson, Duane Weber, Terry Tonasket, Michael Pollowitz & Jeff Wilson); Breeder: Bar C Racing Stables Inc. (Pam & Neal Christopherson); Trainer: Doris Harwood
2014 Record 5 3 1 1 $105,525
Stakes: Auburn H. (EmD), Seattle Slew H. (EmD), Chinook Pass H. (R) (EmD), 2nd Coca-Cola H. (EmD), 3rd Emerald Downs Derby (EmD).