True Metropolitan tops in British Columbia

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - True Metropolitan was named British Columbia's 2006 horse of the year at the Thoroughbred Awards Dinner held Friday in Coquitlam, British Columbia.

True Metropolitan was Canada's top older horse on dirt last year, and his decisive 3 3/4-length victory over Spaghetti Mouse in the Grade 3 Premiers at Hastings was the deciding factor in his winning the award.

Trained by Terry Jordan and owned by Bob Cheema, True Metropolitan finished 2006 at Woodbine, where he won the Woodbine Slots Cup and finished third in the Valedictory.

Jordan also trained British Columbia's 2006 sprint champion, Quiet Cash.

Monashee, the local horse of the year in 2005, was an easy choice as the best older filly or mare. Monashee won 4 of her 5 starts in 2006, and she carried 125 pounds in her win over What a Blurr in the B.C. Cup Classic. Monashee is trained by Tracy McCarthy.

Other winners: 3-year-old colt or gelding, Halo Steven; 3-year-old filly, Excited Miss; 2-year-old colt or gelding, Ookashada; 2-year-old filly, Suva.

In the British Columbia-bred division, Spaghetti Mouse was named horse of the year; Seven Secrets, 3-year-old; and What a Blurr, older filly or mare.

Trainer Lance Giesbrecht and owner-breeder John Gunther were inducted into the local Hall of Fame. Artic Son, who holds the track record for 1 1/8 miles at Hastings, was also inducted.