Fort Erie: Terry Husbands, Ken Albu among those honored at awards dinner

FORT ERIE, Ontario – The annual Fort Erie awards dinner on Thursday evening drew a large crowd.

The leading rider award went to Terry Husbands, who gradually pulled away from the rest the field in the final months of the season.

Leading apprentice went to Jeffrey Alderson, the top female rider was Melanie Pinto, and Bradley Wilson was selected by his fellow riders as the outstanding jockey of the year.

The leading owner award went to Six Brothers Stable, whose stock here is trained by Julie Robillard. Outstanding trainer of the year, as selected by his fellow trainers, went to Ken Albu.

The leading trainer of the meet by wins was still to be decided with three days remaining before the meet’s Tuesday conclusion. Coming into Sunday’s races, Albu was tied atop the standings with Ross Armata at 23 wins, while Julie Robillard was in third with 21 victories.

Nick Gonzalez Jr. was voted top assistant trainer while working for his father.

The award for groom of the year went to Martin Amezcua-Michaca, a member of the Justin Nixon barn. Amezcua-Michaca’s high degree of excellence in all aspects of grooming resulted in this most important and deserving award.

The equine award winners were Big Brother Joe, horse of the year and best claim; Hey Now;, male claimer; Tethra’s Word, female claimer; Mia’s Miracle, ale sprinter; Mountain Echo, female sprinter; Quick Kid, distance male; Striking Miss, distance female and turf female; and Delaforce, turf male.