Hastings: Taylor Said named horse of year in British Columbia

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Taylor Said was named the British Columbia Horse of the Year at the annual awards dinner held last Thursday.

Trained by Troy Taylor, Taylor Said won five stakes races in a row including the Grade 3 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs. One of his most impressive performances was in the 1 1/8-mile B.C. Cup Classic where he romped by 6 1/4 lengths while toting 128 pounds. He was also named the B.C.-bred Horse of the Year and top handicap horse. He was bred by Clive and Linda Lytle and Can-A-Mex Farms.

Taylor Said is owned by Glen Todd, who was inducted into the B.C. Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Monashee was also inducted in the hall of fame. The daughter of Wolf Power won 11 stakes in a row for trainer Tracy McCarthy. She is owned by Ole Nielsen.

Emerald Downs-based Class Included was an easy choice as the top older filly or mare in the province. She won both of her races at Hastings, including the Grade 3 Ballerina where she beat B.C. Oaks winner Evelyn’s Dancer. Class Included is trained by Jim Penney and owned by Michael Feuerborn.

Evelyn’s Dancer was a standout in the 3-year-old filly division, winning four stakes including the Oaks for trainer Troy Taylor. She is owned by Mark De Domenico and Glen Todd.

Other horses acknowledged: Second City, 3-year-old; Taylors Deal, B.C.-bred 3-year-old; I Want to Dust Her, 2-year-old filly open and B.C.-bred; Proud Victor, 2-year-old colt open and B.C.-bred; P.S. Touchdown, B.C-bred older filly or mare; Herbie D, champion sprinter.

Jockey Mario Gutierrez and breeders Wally and Terry Leong were co-recipients of the Diamond Award of Excellence. Gutierrez was recognized for winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness aboard I’ll Have Another. The Leongs bred Strait of Dover ,who won the $1 million Queen’s Plate at Woodbine.

Linda Sentes and Alex Murray were each awarded a Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association’s Backstretch Award.

Bearrock N Roll, $15,000 and over, and One’s Own Accord, under $15,000, were recognized as the top claiming horses at Hastings.