The top equine athletes of 2021 were honored during the annual Indiana Standardbred Awards Banquet Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in Noblesville, Ind. Earning top honors was Hot Mess Express, Pacer of the Year, and Swingforthefences, Trotter of the Year.
Numerous awards were given out to the state’s top performers of 2021 at the annual Indiana Standardbred Awards Banquet Saturday, Jan. 22. Photo by Tammy Knox
Hot Mess Express was outstanding from start to finish in 2021. She scored 13 of 16 wins and boosted her earnings over the $630,000 mark. Six of her wins were in Indiana Sires Stakes action, making her undefeated in the series for 2021. Trained by Tony Alagna, the Panther Hanover filly is owned by former NBA player Sam Bowie, who was in attendance along with his wife, Stephanie, for the banquet. John DeLong served as driver of the filly
Joining Hot Mess Express at the top of the list was Swingforthefences, who was the top trotter of the year. The Swan for All gelding had 12 wins on the season with accumulated earnings of more than $550,000. He only missed the top three once in 20 starts for the year. David McDuffee and L & L Devisser LLC own Swingforthefences while Melanie Wrenn trains. Peter Wrenn was the regular driver of the standout gelding.
The 2021 ISA Elite Winners were recognized:
2YO Filly Pace – Rock N Boogie
2YO C-G Pace (Tie) – DP Realordeal & Townline Lucky You
2YO Filly Trot (tie) – Crecia and Double A Samantha
2YO C-G Trot (tie) – Lonestar Fashion and Hand Dover Dan
3YO Filly Pace – Payroll Protection
3YO C-G Pace (tie) – Vel Letsrollsouth and Vel Mr Nice Guy
3YO Filly Trot (tie) – Heres Devotion and Hi Janet
3YO C-G Trot (tie) – Keith Bourbon and J-S Hopscotch
The Indiana Sired Fair Circuit (ISFC) Divisional Champions were recognized:
2YO Filly Pace (tie) – Rockin Bambi and Velstraightdreamer
2YO C-G Pace – Caches Miracle
2YO Filly Trot – Honorable Lady
2YO C-G Trot – Rojo Man
3YO Filly Pace – Sunburst Kada
3YO C-G Pace – Lil Joe III
3YO Filly Trot – Swan Fine Lady
3YO C-G Trot – Northern Rocks
Indiana Sires Stakes divisional champions were also honored:
2YO Filly Pace – Lorraine Smoke
2YO C-G Pace – Fulfullnmydestiny
2YO Filly Trot – M-M’s Dream
2YO C-G Trot – Dover in Motion
3YO Filly Pace – Hot Mess Express
3YO C-G Pace – Virgo
3YO Filly Trot – Swift Swanda
3YO C-G Trot – Brookview Bolt
Older Pacing Mare – Rockin Nola
Older Stallion/Gelding Pacer – Little Rocket Man
Older Trotting Mare – Morairtime
Older Stallion/Gelding Trotter – Whata Swan
The final awards of the night went to the 2021 Indiana Sired Champions:
2YO Filly Pacer – Trick of the Light
2YO C-G Pacer – Dalby Hanover
2YO Filly Trotter – M-Ms Dream
2YO C-G Trotter – Dover in Motion
3YO Filly Pacer – Hot Mess Express
3YO C-G Pacer – Goldie’s Legacy
3YO Filly Trotter – Shirley Goodness
3YO C-G Trotter – Swingforthefences
The event concluded with a plethora of door prizes from various sponsors, including Harness Horse Youth Foundation, Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Highalator Ownership and Schwartz Boarding Farm, Horseshoe Indianapolis, Indiana Standardbred Association, Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, New Wave Equine, Old 55 Distillery, Premier Acres, Doug and Julie Rideout and John Wilson. Ted Martin served as DJ of the event with music completing the night.