The necessary COVID-19 restrictions in the state caused the cancellation of the traditional Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Awards Banquet at Darby Dan Farm in Galloway, Ohio. Hoping against hope that restrictions would be lessened as time passed, the O.T.B.O. made secondary plans to hold the event at Thistledown, but the restrictions remain in place for large gatherings.
With the help of director of racing Patrick Ellsworth, the track coordinated public recognition of the 2019 champions and their connections, blended with their “Best of Ohio Series” of divisional races.
Special thanks to trainer Richard Zielinski and Purina Feeds who had coolers embroidered for each state champion and halters personalized for Stallion and Broodmare of the year. Here are the individuals and horses that garnered year-end awards.
Ohio Horse of the Year, Champion Sprinter and Champion Handicap Horse – Altissimo: Owned by Nancy Lavrich and Ronald Zielinski, the 6-year-old gelding was bred by Nancy Lavrich and Niknar Farm LLC and is trained by Richard Zielinski. A son of Noble Causeway out of Great Going Rose by Albert the Great, Altissimo made seven starts last season with a 4-2-0 record for earnings of $307,250 pushing his career earnings to $781,638.
All four of his wins were in stakes races including the $97,000 Hockensmith at Delaware Park earning a 100 Beyer Speed Figure. Primarily a main track sprinter, Altissimo captured the $75,000 Gendelman Memorial going 1 1/16 miles over the Belterra Park turf course. Perhaps his best effort of the season was a troubled trip in the Grade 3 DeFrancis Memorial at Laurel Park. While making a winning move, he was floated out in mid-stretch and had to take back and alter course to the inside, only to miss the top spot by three-quarters of a length in 1:08.
Owner of the Year – Ron Paolucci: His bright lime green silks were seen in winner's circles from coast to coast, but the native of Stow, Ohio wins most of his races in the state with Ohio-breds. He finished ninth in the nation with a record of 799-191-144-94 for earnings of $4,851,390 with an impressive 24 percent of his starters in the win column.
Breeder of the Year – Blazing Meadows Farm: Owned and operated by Tim and Shawna Hamm, the farm in North Jackson garnered $168,721 in breeders awards alone. The farm is also home to the graded stakes-winning National Flag in partnership with WinStar Farm. The son of the popular Speightstown, bred more mares than any other stallion in 2019 and his first foals arrived in 2020.
Stallion of the Year – Mobil: Standing at Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm in Polk, the now 20-year-old stallion is still making his mark on the state. A son of Langfuhr out of Kinetigal by Naskra, he built a reputation for himself in Canada over four seasons of racing amassing $1,877,136. A multiple graded stakes winner, he had a record of 29-12-9-1 and the Canadian champion retired to stud north of the border before moving to the Buckeye State.
His offspring have earned $12,199,580 and his current leading runner is Mobil Solution ($470,770), who was voted 2019 champion accredited handicap horse.
Broodmare of the Year – Great Goin Rose: While her career was brief, Great Goin Rose did manage to win her only two starts at two and run second in the Royal North Stakes at Beulah Park from her three trips to post. She made up for her abbreviated on-track career with an extended one in the breeding shed where she produced seven foals since 2010.
Her first foal was Uptown Gal (($140,980), winner of the Norm Barron Queen City Oaks and hitting the board in three additional Ohio stakes. Her current success story is two-time Ohio Horse of the Year and sprint champion Altissimo ($811,658). Owner Nancy Lavrich is keeping her fingers crossed for another home run. Great Goin Rose had a filly this year by first-season sire Free Drop Billy and is in-foal to Runhappy.
Champion 2-Year-Old Filly – Moonlit Mission: Owned, bred and trained by Charlie J. Williams. Chestnut filly by Shackleford – Moonlit River, by Maria's Mon; 6-4-0-0 $182,050.
Champion 2-Year-Old Male – Liberate: Owned and bred by WinStar Farm LLC and Blazing Meadows Farm, trained by Tim Hamm. Bay gelding by Gemologist – Southern Silence, by Dixie Union; 5-4-0-0 $206,250.
Champion 3-Year-Old Filly – Totally Obsessed: Owned by Ron Paolucci Racing, bred by Schleprock Racing LLC, trained by Gary Johnson. Bay filly by Tale of Ekati – Dark Obsession, by Grand Slam; 16-6-2 $233,627.
Champion 3-Year-Old Male – Diamond Dust: Owned and bred by WinStar Farm LLC and Blazing Meadows Farm, trained by Tim Hamm. Bay gelding by Paynter – Radiant Sky, byLeroidesanimaux; 16-8-5-1 $379,725.
Champion Handicap Mare & Accredited Female – Leona's Reward: Owned by Blazing Meadows Farm LLC and Michael Friedman, bred by Blazing Meadows Farm, trained by Tim Hamm. Chestnut mare by Parent's Reward – Prime Time Dancer, by Montbrook; 48-19-7-5 $934,056.
Champion Accredited Male – Mobil Solution: Owned by Gerald Silver bred by Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm and trained by Jeff Radosevich. Bay gelding by Mobil – Perfect Solution, by Seeking the Gold; 24-7-8-5 $413,020.
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