by Murray Brown

All the stakes of value are finished, and even though I haven’t, yet, received my ballot for the 2023 Dan Patch honorees, it will likely be on its way quite shortly. I’ve gone through all of the various categories. I’ve seen all the horses who are in the running.

Here are the horses which will receive my vote:

TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT TROTTER

T C I (1.51.4f; $1,235,871)

(Cantab Hall—Nicole’s Promise—Dream Vacation)

Owned by: Burke, Hatfield, Knox Services, Weaver-Bruscemi

Trained by: Ron Burke

Bred by: Concord Stud

It came down to a two-horse battle between T C I and Karl for divisional honors. It’s my belief that Karl may be the better colt before all is done. However, T C I started early and was undefeated until the Breeders Crown establishing an earnings record for 2-year-old trotters.

TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY TROTTER

Soiree Hanover (1.53.1; $607,955)

(Walner—Spring Gala—Self Possessed)

Owned by: Snogarps Gard Inc.

Trained: by: Lucas Wallin

Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc

In this writer’s opinion, there were no standout or great 2-year-old filly trotters. Soiree Hanover was the leading money winner of the group. She was consistent and was usually around.

TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT PACER

Captain Albano (1.49.2; $445,680)

(Captaintreacherous—Angelou—American Ideal)

Owned by: Eleven different individuals in the Noel Daley stable

Trained by: Noel Daley

Bred by: Fred Hertrich 

Captain Albano was neither the richest, nor the fastest 2-year-old pacing colt of the season, but he receives my vote based on his consistency. The colt I perceived as the fastest and perhaps the best was another Captaintreacherous colt Captains Quarters who was retired for the season after his Metro Pace win.

TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY PACER

Geocentric (1.49.3; $556,251)

(Sweet Lou—Geometry—Somebeachsomewhere)

Owned by: Leeman, Keith, Stambaugh, Sbrocco

Trained by: Brian Brown

Bred by: Diamond Creek Farms

There are a few other fillies who have comparable or perhaps even better credentials, like My Girl EJ, Pass Line and Caviart Belle, but this filly appealed to me more than any of the others.

THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT TROTTER

Tactical Approach (1.50.1; $1,507,989)

(Tactical Landing—Sarcy—Donato Hanover)

Owned by: Leblanc, Fielding, Sbrocco, JAF

Trained by: Nancy Takter

Bred by: Steve Stewart & Oakwood Farm

This is one of two where voting privileges should be taken away from any person who votes for another colt.

THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY TROTTER

Bond (1.51.2; $847,071)

(Southwind Frank—Boccone Dolce—Donato Hanover)

Owned by: Svanstedt, Little E, L. Berg

Trained by: Ake Svanstedt

Bred by: Diamond Creek Farms

I would find it difficult for someone to put up a vote any other filly.

THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT PACER

Confederate (1.46.1; $2,077,554)

(Sweet Lou—Geothermal—A Rocknroll Dance)

Owned by: Diamond Creek

Trained by: Brett Pelling

Bred by: Diamond Creek

The second of the recipients where those voting should lose their voting privileges if they voted for any other horse.

THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY PACER

Sylvia Hanover (1.48.1; $1,443,524)

(Always B Miki—Shyaway—Artiscape)

Owned by Hudson Standardbreds

Trained by: Mark & Shawn Steacy

Bred by: Hanover Shoe Farms Inc

In any other year, she would likely be the Pacer of the Year and possibly the Horse of the Year

OLDER MALE TROTTER 

It’s Academic (6, 1.50.2; $951,911)

(Uncle Peter—Annapolis—Muscle Hill)

Owned by: Bradley Grant

Trained by: Ron Burke

Bred by: GBW Breeding Farms

The steadiest and richest of a consistent group.

OLDER FEMALE TROTTER

Jiggy Jog S (4, 1.50.3; $1,038,486)

(Walner—Hot Mess Hanover—Cantab Hall)

Owned by: Jorgen Sparredal

Trained by: Ake Svanstedt

Bred by: Vestmarka AB

As some might say, she is a jogburger.

OLDER MALE PACER

Bythemissal (4, 1.47.1; $2,153,591)

(Downbytheseaside—Dismissal—Western Terror)

Owned by: Burke, Good, Lombardo, Weaver Bruscemi

Trained by: Ron Burke

Bred by: Dr Stephen Dey

Overall, the best, richest and most consistent of a solid group.

OLDER FEMALE PACER

Grace Hill (5, 1.47.4; $573,529)

(Always B Miki—Western Silk—Western Terror)

Owned by: Tom Hill

Trained by: Virgil Morgan, Jr.

Bred by: White Birch Farm

The best of a relatively unexciting group. I would be tempted to vote for the filly Twin B Joe Fresh who whipped the group in the FanDuel if she had been eligible.

TROTTER OF THE YEAR

Tactical Approach

PACER OF THE YEAR

Confederate

HORSE OF THE YEAR

Confederate