Tucson, AZ (Sportsbooks) - The association that represents the major harness racetracks in North America has announced its 2004 champions.
In the pacing category, the champion older male horse is Four Starzzz Shark, owned by F S Starzzzz Stables of New Jersey. Four Starzzz Shark won 9-of-11 starts for earnings of $766,945.
The champion older female pacer for 2004 is the now retired Bunny Lake. Bunny Lake is owned by John W. Stark of Saratoga Springs, NY and W. Springtime Racing Stable of Johnstown, NY. Bunny Lake won 11-of-17 starts in 2004 for $484,819. For her career Bunny Lake won 47 races and earned more than $2.8 million.
The older male trotter of the year is Mr. Muscleman, owned by Adam Victor and son Stable of New York City. Mr. Muscleman won 7-of-14 starts in 2004 and earned $593,323.
The champion older female trotter is Stroke Play, owned by Jorgen Jahre Jr. of Norway. Stroke Play earned $410,936 by winning 7-of-9 starts.
The champion three-year-old pacing colt is Timesareachanging, owned by Perfect World Enterprises of Old Westbury, NY. The colt won 10-of-22 starts for $1,175,574.
His female counterpart is Rainbow Blue. Rainbow Blue is owned by K&R Racing and Teague Inc. of Delaware. The filly won 9-of-11 starts for almost $1.2 million.
The three-year-old champion trotting colt is Triple Crown winner Windsong's Legacy. Windsong's Legacy became the first trotter to capture the Triple Crown since Super Bowl in 1972. Bred in Pennsylvania, the three-year-old was driven by trainer Trond Smedshammer. Windsong's Legacy is owned by Patricia Spinelli of New York, Theodore Gerwertz of New York City and Fredrik K. Lindegaard of Norway.
Windsong's Legacy won the Triple Crown by claiming The Hambletonian, Yonkers Trot and the Kentucky Futurity. Windsong's Legacy finished 2004 with 9 wins from 12 starts and earnings of more than $1.7 million.
Housethatruthbuilt was named champion trotting filly. She won 11-of-15 starts for $848,109. Housethatruthbuilt is a stablemate of Windsong's Legacy with ownership by Spinelli and Gerwertz.
The two-year-old champions for 2004 are Village Jolt as the pacing colt and Restive Hanover and Cabrini Hanover sharing the prize as fillies. Ken Warkentin is the champion trotting colt and Solveig is the top filly.
The NOVA Awards will be presented at the annual dinner. The HTA's Night of Stars will be held March 11 at the Hyatt Grand Champions in Indian Wells, CA.
