2003 New Jersey Champions Named

Gators N Bears has been named New Jersey-bred horse of the year for 2003. A winner of five races from 13 starts on the year, Gators N Bears won three stakes while also being named the state's champion sprinter and champion 3-year-old male. He earned $257,270 in 2003.

Bred by Robert W. Camac and owned and trained by Leo Nechamkin II, Gators N Bears took the Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. III).

War's Prospect was named champion 2-year-old male after winning two of six starts in 2003. Bred by John Perrotta and owned by W.A.R. Farm, War's Prospect banked $76,310 for the year.

New Farm's Wild Catseye is champion 2-year-old filly after taking the $65,000 filly division of the New Jersey Futurity. She is a homebred who won two of four starts on the season.

Powers Prospect, owned by D'Arrigo Racing Stables, is champion 3-year-old filly. She scored stakes wins in the Wide Country Stakes at Laurel Park and the William A. Purdey Handicap at Monmouth Park. She was bred by Robert L. Edwards.

New Jersey's handicap mare of the year is Willie's Luv, who captured the Santo Lalomia Handicap at Monmouth. American Freedom earned his second straight divisional championship after winning the $50,000 Lincroft Handicap. Both Willie's Luv and American Freedom were bred by Dr. Y.J. Kolybabiuk.

Jersey Giant was named champion handicap horse on the strength of three stakes victories. Bred and owned by Joel Kligman, Jersey Giant has banked more than $310,000 in his career.

Summer Semester, a 13-year-old daughter of Better Arbitor, was named the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey Broodmare of the Year. She is owned by Carolyn and Gerald Sleeter. Summer Semesters' top earner in 2003 was Something Smith, who won five starts and banked $171,100. Other top foals include Summer Swing and Picnic Theme.

For the third straight year, Northern Idol was selected the state's stallion of the year. The son of Northrop had 28 winners who won better than $1.1 million. Northern Idol died in 1999 at age 13.