Harness racing driver Brad Forward who won both the Dash Driver and Percentage Driver of the year trophies at Hanover Raceway finished off his season with four more wins Saturday night.
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 and Hanover and he hopes to be back in 2017.
Becky Geisel of Hanover won the Ray and Leu Leifso Trainer of the year award after a banner season. Geisel had 39 starts with 8 wins, eight 2nds and nine 3rds for over $25,000 dollars 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. 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, She’s 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 4 year old daughter of Sportwriter is owned by Wil Weatherall of Flesherton and is the boss of their relationship, indicating the Star Reporter is a bit of a handful at the best of times.
The other award went to Bob Walker of Owen Sound for his Trotter of the year, Margo Plicatus. The 6 year old had 9 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 2 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 7% in wagering compared to 2015, and was also up over 10% in Food and Beverage.
Gord Dougan