Significant Bling named Ohio-bred Horse of the Year

Significant Bling secured her place in Ohio-bred history by becoming the state’s first juvenile filly to be named Horse of the Year.The Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners announced its state-bred honors, including Horse of the Year, during its awards dinner on April 12.

By the successful Ohio-bred runner and current Texas stallion Too Much Bling, Significant Bling dominated her division in 2012, winning three of four races for earnings of $122,700. Her only defeat came in her maiden start; she finished first in the four-furlong sprint but was disqualified to fourth.

After that initial stumble, Significant Bling began a run of stakes wins, beginning with a 3 1/4-length win in the Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes at Thistledown followed by a stunning 13 1/2-length score in the Tah Dah Stakes at River Downs. The filly then took her game on the road, winning the Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies Stakes to finish her campaign. Significant Bling has already gotten her 2013 season off on the right foot with a win in the Royal North Stakes on April 6 at Beulah Park.

Homebred in Ohio by Blazing Meadows Farm, who was named Ohio’s champion owner and breeder, Significant Bling is out of the Honour and Glory mare Misleadthewitness, who has produced three winners from as many to race, including multiple Ohio stakes winner Cold Trial.

Also taking home multiple awards was Startin Something, Ohio’s champion handicap and accredited female. The five-year-old Musical Dreamer mare won five of 11 starts in 2012, including four stakes races, for earnings of $172,150.

Startin Something was Blazing Meadows Farm’s second homebred equine award winner of 2012. She is out of the Marquetry mare Nothin but a Thing, who is the dam of two foals from as many to race.

Ohio’s champion handicap male, Only Boy, also went home with the champion accredited male award. The 5-year-old Political Folly gelding won four of 13 starts and three stakes in 2012 for earnings of $140,322, highlighted by a win in the Best of Ohio Endurance Stakes at Thistledown.

Only Boy is owned by Our Blue Streaks Stable and Larry Rivelli, who also trains the gelding. Bred in Ohio by Donald Bookman and Linda Friess, Only Boy is out of the winning Crusaders Sword mare Loves Crusade, who has produced five winners from as many to race.

Mercer Mill was named Ohio’s Stallion of the Year. The 19-year-old son of Forty Niner was represented by 12 winners in 2012 for earnings of $331,478, led by stakes winners Uncle Virgil and Rip n’ Run. He stands at Fair Winds Farm in Waynesville, Ohio, for a private fee.

Full list of state-bred winners:

Horse of the Year and 2-year-old female: Significant Bling
Too Much Bling—Misleadthewitness, by Honour and Glory
Owner/Breeder: Blazing Meadows Farm (Ohio)
Trainer: Timothy Hamm

2-year-old male: Silver Tongued
Flatter—Whitelacenpromises, by More Than Ready
Owner/Trainer: Jeffrey Greenhill/Greenhill Racing Stables
Breeder: James A Fraser and Jane N. Fraser (Ohio)

3-year-old female: Agressive Elegance
Macho Uno—Exclusive Event, by In Excess
Owner/Breeder: Peter Sheppell (Ohio)
Trainer: Craig Holstein

3-year-old male: Eyes Super Freaky
Silver Wagon—Chilly Me, by Belong to Me
Owner/Breeder: Randall Blevins (Ohio)
Trainer: Gary King

Handicap female and Accredited female: Startin Something
Musical Dreamer—Nothin But a Thing, by Marquetry
Owner/Breeder: Blazing Meadows Farm (Ohio)
Trainer: Timothy Hamm

Handicap male and Accredited male: Only Boy
Political Folly—Loves Crusade, by Crusader Sword
Owner: Our Blue Streaks Stable and Neal Galvin
Trainer: Larry Rivelli
Breeder: Donald Bookman and Linda Friess (Ohio)

Broodmare of the Year: Gaspar Lady
Smart Strike—Afnan, by Outflanker
2 foals, 2 starters, 2 winners
2012 Stats: 6 starts, 3 wins, $72,090
Leading runner: Diavoletto (6-3-1-0) $69,990, two stakes wins

Stallion of the Year: Mercer Mill
Forty Niner—Seaside Attraction, by Seattle Slew

Owner/Breeder of the Year: Blazing Meadows Farm