For those outside of the 330-plus who attended the Dan Patch Awards in Orlando last weekend, you missed out on a great event. The Rosen Shingle Creek was first-rate facility and every person in the industry I encountered was in agreement that it would make an excellent at least semi-permanent location for the awards. Hint, hint for anyone on the location committee for the 2019 banquet. Walking around the room during the awards and during my lengthy stays in the hospitality suite, I was able to pick up some tidbits of information. Jim King and Joann Looney-King confirmed that Down Under imports Shartin N and Christen Me N have been nominated to the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy at Yonkers Raceway. While the five weeks of preliminary legs can wear down a horse, the King’s say they’ll pick their spots in the series so they don’t wear out either horse. Mike Keeling said that whether Older trotter of the Year Marion Marauder will go to Sweden for the Elitlopp is still up in the air, especially considering the recent announcement that the track (Solvalla) would no longer sponsor a direct flight from the United States. Keeling said the horse is doing great and if they skip the Elitlopp they might consider sticking around into January and looking at the 2019 Prix d’Amerique. After winning back-to-back Hambletonians at The Meadowlands in 2014 and 2015, Hall of Fame trainer Jimmy Takter has only finished as high as fifth in the most prestigious race in North America the last two years. In what he still expects to be his last year of training after announcing his retirement in a Harness Racing Update article in October 2017, Takter said he likes his chances in the big dance this year with as many as nine potential contenders in his barn. Speaking of Takter, it was interesting to listen in as him and driver Yannick Gingras comparatively discussed the greatness of Manchego, Ariana G and Mission Brief. Most would have to agree that Mission Brief was the fastest of the group, but the other two have proven much more manageable. Plus, the undefeated Manchego still has plenty of time to etch her place in history. Staying with the trotters, Marcus Melander mentioned that 2-year-old Dan Patch champion colt Fourth Dimension was doing well and planning for a late May return to the races. Owner Anders Strom was overjoyed to be winning his first Dan Patch award and looking forward to a potential opportunity to win the Hambletonian. Strom is an admitted “action” guy and seems to know the sport very well from the gambling end. We could use more owners like him. I had a nice conversation with driver Simon Allard, who told me he is chomping at the bit to get back in the bike after spending time in Florida assisting his brother. Simon will return to the northeast next week and should be a regular at Pocono and Harrah’s Philadelphia when they open. Driver Aaron Merriman, who won the most races in North America in 2017 by completing his usual back and forth commute from The Meadows to Northfield, lost his day job when The Meadows was closed for a few weeks. When I asked what he was doing to occupy his time, the response was “housework”. Just goes to show you that one of the top drivers in the sport is no different than most of us. For those that missed the broadcast of the awards, owner Bruce Trogdon announced that 3-year-old Pacing Filly of the Year Blazin Britches was bred to Fear The Dragon but will return to the races this year. Lost In Time owner Scott Robinson, who brought Hall of Fame wrestler Ric Flair to the proceedings as his guest, mentioned that he would give the all-time great a piece of the horse as a birthday gift. Which made me think . . . if a bunch of our top owners gifted small percentages of top horses to celebrities, could we expand the scope of harness racing? What if the team behind Ariana G got Ariana Grande on board as a 5% owner? Surely she could bring the sport a few new eyes. I never met up with Ric Flair but I did run into Brian Brown quite often. After seeing me outside of the photo area the second time he asked if I was standing there all night. I replied only when he wins an award. The next time we met was after his Downbytheseaside was announced as Pacer of the Year, he then quipped, “You can sit down now,” likely referring to the fact that the Horse of the Year trophy was not coming his way. I was quite proud to present the “Good Guy” award to Brown. He’s gracious to everyone, including the media whether he wins or loses. He told me that’s just the way he was brought up, so congratulations to his parents for doing a great job. Hope to see everyone at the awards next year!