After a sensational 2014 season at Emerald Downs, where he won in a trio of stakes including the Longacres Mile (gr. III), Stryker Phd has garnered honors as Washington's Horse of the Year.
Mona and Jim Hour's now 6-year-old Bertando gelding also was named top older handicap horse. The Hours, as well as his breeders—Char Clark and Todd Havens—and his trainers, Larry and Sharon Ross, were warmly applauded by the more than 200 in attendance for the Washington Thoroughbred Annual Awards ceremony Feb. 28 at Emerald Downs.
The Hours were also were named as the leading owner by Washington-bred earnings in 2014, all due to Stryker Phd's 2014 tally of $192,900.
Stryker Phd posted a 3-1-1 record from five starts during 2014. In addition to the Longacres Mile, he won Budweiser Handicap and Mt. Rainier Handicap. He also was in competition outside of Washington, finishing third in the Berkeley Handicap (gr. III) at Golden Gate Fields and second in the Big Bear Stakes at Santa Anita Park.
Stryker Phd's year-younger half sister Madame Pele, earned her second state title when the now 5-year-old daughter of Salt Lake was named champion older filly or mare. Owned by Kama'aina Thoroughbreds (Zack and Beth Correa), she hails from Washington Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jim Penney's barn.
Stryker Phd and Madame Pele are the first two foals produced by Striking Scholar (by Smart Strike), who was named Washington Broodmare of the Year.
Other Washington divisional honorees:
Champion Sprinter—Absolutely Cool (Absolute Harmony—Coup de Foudre, by Basket Weave); Owner and Breeder: Karl Krieg (KD Thoroughbreds); Trainers: Valorie Lund and Tom Wenzel.
Champion Turf Horse—Lady Rosberg (Rosberg—Enter Laughing, by Distorted Humor ) Owner and Breeder: Karl Krieg (KD Thoroughbreds); Trainer: Valorie Lund.
Champion 3-Year-Old Male—Noosito (Harbor the Gold—Julia Rose, by Basket Weave), Owner: Last Rose Stable (Jeff Harwood, Pat and Mullan Chinn, Delores Christianson, Duane Weber, Terry Tonasket, Michael Pollowitz, and Jeff Wilson); Breeder: Bar C Racing Stables (Pam and Neal Christopherson); Trainer: Doris Harwood.
Champion 3-Year-Old Filly—Find Your Spot (Nationhood —Sudden Departure, by Demons Begone); Owner: Where We At (Paul Heist and Jack Fabulich); Breeders: Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Pabst (Blue Ribbon Farm); Trainer: Jim Penney.
2-Year-Old Champion Male—Trackattacker (Harbor the Gold—Eclatante, by In Excess); Owner: R. E. V. Racing (Roy and Ellie Schaefer), Breeders: Dr. and Mrs. Duane Hopp (Castlegate Farm); Trainer: Frank Lucarelli.
2-Year-Old Champion Filly—Ethan's Baby (Offlee Wild—Hope and Vow, by Broken Vow ); Owners and Breeders: Shawn and Todd Hansen (Scatter Creek Training Center); Trainer: Howard Belvoir.
Plater of the Year—Touch the Sun (Bertrando—Sweethrtofsigmachi, by General Meeting). Owners: Charles Garvey amd TG Racing LLC; Breeders: Dr. Duane and Susan Hopp; Trainer, Robertino Diodoro.
Most Improved Washington Plate—Dare Me Devil (Devil On Ice—She Can Too, byWestern Fame). Owner: Sunset Racing; Breeder: Andria Mengucci; Trainer: Jeffrey Metz.
2014 Leading Sire—Parker's Storm Cat (Storm Cat—Macoumba, by Mr. Prospector). Property of Mr. and Mrs. Elwin Gibson; Standing at Gibson Thoroughbred Farm.
2014 Top Washington-bred OTTB—Mathematician (Petersburg—Fibonacci, by Mahogany Hall). Owner and 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. and Mrs. Frederick Pabst (Blue Ribbon Farm). Awarded on the Basis of Total 2014 Washington-bred earnings of $383,107.
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. and Mrs. Frederick 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.
Special Racetrack Achievement Awards: 1) Mary Pirone, who enjoyed her finest season at Emerald Downs, recording career highs in wins and earnings, and 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 in 25 starts at Emerald Downs for 28% wins and 64% in the money, which included two stakes placements and was led by the stakes return of Disruption.
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.
