Valley Loot, Hot Chili take honors

Valley Loot and Hot Chili were named co-horses of the year in Michigan at Great Lakes Downs on Wednesday. Valley Loot, the top 3-year-old filly on the grounds, won her division of the Michigan Sire Stakes, as well as the Regret and Plymouth stakes and the Michigan Oaks. Her only loss came when she stumbled at the start and tossed her rider in the Ann Arbor Stakes. Valley Loot is owned by Kimberly Allen and trained by her father, Ronnie Allen. Her brother, Mike Allen, was aboard throughout the season.

Hot Chili, owned by the Sharon Valley Thoroughbred Farm, was named the top male juvenile at the meet. He won four straight races, including the Little Ones, the Patrick Woods, and the Michigan Sire Stakes. Jareth Loveberry rode Hot Chili to all four wins for trainer Laura Jackson.

Rockem Sockem, a past horse of the year, was named the top handicap male as well as the comeback horse of the year after he pulled off upsets in the Michigan Breeders' Cup and Frontier Handicap and was beaten just a half-length in the Michigan Sire Stakes. Robert Gorham trains Rockem Sockem for Henry Mast.

All I Can Get was a lock for 3-year-old honors after wins in the Spartan and Dowling stakes and the Mackinac Handicap against older males. Michael McQuade's homebred is trained by perennial leader Gerald Bennett.

Nell's Enjoyment repeated as champion when she was named the top older distaffer at the track. Shane Spiess is the breeder, owner, and trainer of Nell's Enjoyment, who won her second Sire Stakes race.

Equalitysdebutante, who won the Temptress and the Michigan Sire Stakes, was the best juvenile filly of the year. She is owned by Richard Hammer and trained by Larry Penner.

Flying Solo, who won five races, including one allowance event, for owner Billie Smith and trainer Al Stout, was hailed as the top plater.

Tommy Molina was honored as the leading rider at the meet. Through Tuesday, he had won 146 races, 20 more than his nearest competitor. The top trainer will not be known until possibly closing night on Nov. 6. At press time, Robert Gorham led defending champion Gerald Bennett, 68-67, with 30 races still to be run.