February 27, 2010 - by Bill MacDonald - The Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association held it 2010 annual winter meeting tonight at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland..

Megan Mank Photo

Allie Hiscock receives Trainer's Award from Philip Lyons.

The business meeting began the night. The board of directors reviewed the 2009 season with discussions concerning financial information, reports on the Annual Yearling Auction and other MSBOA committees. Henry Jackson addressed the crown of about 45 members concerning the annual report on the stakes program from the Maine Harness Racing Commission. Ed MacColl also addressed the crowd concerning Scarborough Downs efforts to bring slot machines to the Southern Maine Oval.

The members of the board of directors also had a change as Barbara Dresser resigned her position on the board. Barbara has been appointed to the Maine Harness Racing Commission. She was replaced in the election by Tim Arnold. All other board members up for re-election were elected to new terms.

A social hour followed along with the scholarship auction with items donated to sponser the MSBOA scholarship fund. A silent auctions for breedings to some of Maine's leading sires was also held during the night.

The guest speaker was Carter Duer of Peninsula Farm. One of the foremost experts of the Standardbred industry, Duer spoke of his experiences of getting yearlings to the sales ring, his thoughts on the current state of harness racing and a number of tales that he has experienced over the years rubbing elbows with some of the top participants of the industry. He also took a few questions from the attentive crowd.

Megan Mank Photo

Diane Perkins presents Season Champion Award for NEUTRAL COURT to Laurie Salzillo.

Seasonal awards were then presented. Awards were given out as follows:

Season Champion (Most points earned during the year, including the final) : Two year old colt trotter - WILLIN DYLAN; Two year old filly trotter - CURRENT CHIP; Two year old colt pacer - PEMBROKE JOE DUNN; Two year old filly pacer - PEMBROKE PLAYMATE; Three year old colt trotter - BAD BOY BILLY; Three year old filly trotter - A CAPPELLA BELLA; Three year old colt pacer - NEUTRAL COURT; Three year old filly pacer - PEMBROKE WHITTNEY.

Sire Awards (Most points earned by offspring during the year, including the final): Two year old trotters - CURRENT CAST; Three year old trotters - BOY BAND; Two year old pacers - NEUTRALIZE; Three year old pacers - NEUTRALIZE.

Maine Sire Stake Final Winners : Two year old colt trot - ROADSHOW VIC; Two year old filly trot - CURRENT CHIP; Two year old colt pace - PEMBROKE JOE DUNN; Two year old filly pace - CARLY; Three year old filly trot - THEBANDFROMBOSTON; Three year old colt pace - SIGNTHEPAIGE; Three year old filly pace - SALEM WITCH.

Broodmare Awards : Trotting broodmare - TERISSE ANN; Pacing broodmare - LADY GANNET

Megan Mank Photo

Bethany Graffam receives an award for SIGNTHEPAIGE from John Loiko.

Owners Awards : Trotters - THOMAS DILLON & WALTER HIGHT; Pacers - WILLIAM VARNEY.

Breeders Awards : Trotters - THOMAS DILLON; Pacers - RICHARD HARTLEY

Driver of the Year (Most points earned during the year, including the final) : HEATH CAMPBELL

 Trainer of the Year (Most points earned during the year, including the final) : VALERIE GRONDIN

Trainer of the Year (Based on notable success and sportsmanship) : ALLIE HISCOCK

MSBOA Special Commitment Award for Continued Support and Participation in the Maine Sire Stakes Program Since its Inception - RICHARD DUNCAN

MSBOA President's Award for Exemplary Service - DAVID SLOCOMB; MICHAEL SWEENEY; and RICHARD & HELEN BELISLE.