Edison named 2014 Alberta Horse of the Year

Edison was named the 2014 Alberta Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old at the annual Night of Champions dinner at the Matrix Hotel in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, last Saturday.

Trained by Robertino Diodoro, Edison raced just once in Alberta in 2014, but his 11-length romp in the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby clearly was the most impressive performance at Northlands last year.

Bred in Florida, Edison started his career for trainer Todd Pletcher. He was purchased privately by Fouad El Kardy, Bob Butz, and Rick Running Rabbit after he finished third in a first-level allowance on turf in his second start at Belmont.

In 2013, Diodoro won the Canadian Derby with Broadway Empire, who also was voted Horse of the Year.

Commander won the Northlands Park trophy for champion older horse for the third consecutive year. Trained by Dennis Terry and owned by Glen Todd, Commander won the $48,000 Journal Handicap and the $51,000 Spangled Jimmy Handicap before finishing second by a neck to For Cash in the Fred Jones Handicap. Since 2012, he has been almost unbeatable at Northlands, winning 9 of 11 starts.

Tempered Sapphire was an easy choice as the top older female. She won the $49,000 Madamoiselle Handicap by 13 1/4 lengths and the $72,000 City of Edmonton Distaff Handicap by 10 1/4 lengths. She also won the $50,000 Matron Stakes at Assiniboia Downs for trainer Rod Cone and owners Garry, Lauri, and Roland Kugler.

Cone also trains Via Bendita, who was named champion 3-year-old filly. The Florida-bred daughter of Borrego was bred by owner Mat Monaco.

Tiny Giant was voted the champion Alberta-bred and champion sprinter. Trained by Joan Petrowski, Tiny Giant won the $56,000 Sun Sprint Handicap and the $48,000 Red Dial Express Handicap. He was bred by Petrowski and is owned by Mickey Demers, Gary Mailloux, and Viking Stable.

In addition, Capitalism was honored as champion 2-year-old colt, Eustacia was named champion 2-year-old filly, and Time for a Memory was voted champion claimer.

Rod Cundy received the Ken Cohoe Trophy for 2014 Horse Person of the Year.

Friday feature

Friday’s card at Northlands is headed by a $15,000 conditional-claiming race that drew five horses and goes as the first race.

KEY CONTENDER

Kesler (Last 3 Beyers: 68-49-32)

* Trained by Alfred Webster, Kesler closed out his sophomore season with an 8 1/2-length romp in a $12,000 maiden-claiming race going six furlongs. He may have tipped his hand when he worked a bullet five furlongs in 59.20 seconds last Sunday.