Sovereign Awards: Moira, Lady Speightspeare top finalists
?q=100)
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Queen’s Plate winner Moira and Lady Speightspeare are finalists in multiple categories at the 2022 Sovereign Awards ceremony at the Universal Eventspace in the Toronto suburb of Vaughan on Thursday.
Moira, who won both the Plate and Woodbine Oaks decisively, is a finalist for champion 3-year-old filly, along with Sister Seagull and Souper Hoity Toity. Moira is also a finalist in the female turf category, along with Lady Speightspeare and Fev Rover.
Lady Speightspeare is additionally a finalist champion older female on the main track, along with Infinite Patience and Our Flash Drive, as well as champion female sprinter. Joining her in the female sprinter category are Hazelbrook and Our Flash Drive.
Sir for Sure, Ironstone, and Hall of Dreams are the finalists for champion 3-year-old male. Breeders’ Stakes victor Sir for Sure was among the foursome that also included Filo Di Arianna, Philip My Dear, and Ready for the Lady in the male turf category.
Two-time Grade 2 winner Filo Di Arianna also made the top three for champion male sprinter, along with Arzak and Lucky Score.
The champion 2-year-old male finalists are Philip My Dear, Poulin in O T, and Velocitor.
Champion 2-year-old filly will be decided among Cairo Consort, Last Call, and Renegade Rebel.
The champion older male on the main track finalists are Soy Tapatio, War Bomber, and Who’s the Star.
Outstanding broodmare finalists are Cosa Rara, Count to Three, and Include Katherine.
Outstanding breeder will be decided among Adena Springs, Sam-Son Farm, and Tall Oaks Farm.
Outstanding owner is up for grabs between Bruno Schickedanz, Al and Bill Ulwelling, and Moira’s partnership of X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, and SF Racing LLC.
Kevin Attard has a chance against top perennial winner Mark Casse in the trainer category. Josie Carroll is the other finalist.
There are four outstanding jockey finalists – Rafael Hernandez, Patrick Husbands, Kazushi Kimura, and Emma-Jayne Wilson.
Outstanding apprentice jockey should be Slade Jones, over N’Rico Prescod and Kimal Santo.
Moira and Lady Speightspeare are expected to be finalists for Horse of the Year, which will be announced after all the other awards are doled out.
:: Get Daily Racing Form Past Performances – the exclusive home of Beyer Speed Figures
Woodbine’s Daily Racing Form writer-handicapper Ron Gierkink is one of five finalists in the writing category, along with Chris Lomon, Ivan Bigg, Dave Briggs, and George Williams.
Freelancer Julie Wright is a finalist for outstanding photograph for her DRF photo of Rougir after her victory in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes. Joining her in that category are Allan de la Plante and Lisa Thompson.
Woodbine Entertainment Group, Horse Racing Alberta, and Peter Gross are the finalists in the digital audio-visual and broadcast category.
Longtime Alberta trainer Dale Saunders will be presented with the E.P. Taylor Award of Merit. Selected unanimously by the Jockey Club of Canada’s stewards, it is a lifetime achievement award honoring those who have made significant contributions to the Thoroughbred industry in Canada.
Amber Hutchinson and Ricardo Nicholson are co-winners of the outstanding groom award.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.