Johnson cleans up 2001 honors

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Marv Johnson picked up four awards and a runner-up spot at Saturday's annual Nebraska Breeders banquet held Saturday evening in the Fonner Park clubhouse.

Johnson's breeding and racing operation was represented by 2-year-old filly of the year, Talk Too; 3-year-old colt of the year, Tauke; and broodmare of the year, Talk and Talk, co-owned by Charles Salem.

Johnson's stallion Bengal Bay was the recipient of the Thoroughbred Times Cup honoring the leading juvenile sire. Bengal Gal was the runner-up in the 2-year-old Filly division.

High Dice was named the older horse of the year with earnings of $62,900. Bred, owned, and trained by Herb Riecken, High Dice won the Dreisbach's Dowd Mile at Fonner Park as well as the Who Doctor Who, Executive Board Handicap, and Big Red Mile, all at Lincoln.

Bluestem Farm owner Don Everett was honored for 3-year-old filly, Oglala Sue, winner of the Queen's Handicap at Horsemen's Park. Bluestem Farm was also the recipient of The Blood-Horse Julep Cup as the state's outstanding breeder.

Dazzling J. R., owned by Larry Feldhacker, was named top 2-year-old colt. Older mare honors went to Daisy Double, who won seven races and was claimed several times through the year to earn $38,800. She was bred by Joyce Kirby. Miracle Heights, who stands at Roger and Barb Luebbe's Shady Bend Thoroughbreds was stallion of the year with progeny earnings of $623,240. Patricia Stevens was named the Nebraska Thoroughbred Breeders Association member of the year. The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association award winner was Jim and Deanna Cranwell who will represent the state at the national awards dinner later this year.