Goldinrunner gets top honors

MUSKEGON, Mich - Goldinrunner, winner of a division of the Michigan Sire Stakes and the Michigan Breeders' Cup Handicap this year, was named the Michigan horse of the year in a ceremony following the close of the Great Lakes Downs meet Tuesday evening. Owned by Mary Mazur and trained by Gerald Bennett, Goldinrunner was the older male champion, as well.

Bennett, the leading trainer at the 118-day meet, accepted trophies for two of the other divisional winners. Zosia's Genius, who is owned by Bennett's wife, Mary, was named the top 2-year-old filly, and Monetary Star, who is owned by Michael Palushaj, was named the top 3-year-old male. Monetary Star won three stakes at the meet, including his second Michigan Sire Stakes.

Sefas Rose, owned by Pat Sefa and trained by Brenda Hill, was the top local female after her third consecutive Michigan Sire Stakes win. Sefas Rose also won the Moonbeam Handicap. She was bred by Sefa and her late husband, Farid Sefa.

Cantouchis, owned and bred by Gary and Susan Tinkle and trained by David Kueffner, was named the top 3-year-old filly. She was a double stakes winner this meet.

Bob Gorham trained the top 2-year-old, Rockem Sockem, and the runner-up, Heza Mountain Man. Rockem Sockem is owned by Henry Mast and won three stakes, including the Sire Stakes.

Freddie Mata was the leading jockey at the meet, with 159 wins. Elaine Gross was the top owner, with 35 wins.

* Great Lakes Downs handled over a million dollars for the second time in its five-year history Monday night, and then topped that amount on Tuesday. On Monday, $1,092,872 was bet on 10 races. On Tuesday, $1,119,741 was bet on 11 races.

* Rockem Sockem and Heza Mountain Man each won a division of the Michigan Futurity on closing night.

Gold Ginny and Cats Copy were the winners Monday in the split Michigan Juvenile Fillies Stakes.