Victory Tax overcame stiff competition in an extremely close three-way race to secure Trotter of the Year honors at Scarborough Downs this season, defeating 2-time standard bearer Kerogen and Claiming Trotter of the Year Light Iron to walk away with the coveted hardware

Owned by Kyle Gibbs of Brooks, Maine, and trained by Steven Vafiades, the five-year-old son of Victory Sam graced the winner's circle 7 times during his 2011 campaign en route to amassing $40,428 in seasonal earnings while racing exclusively within the confines of the state of Maine.

A dogged competitor, Victory Tax remained sharp throughout the long Pine Tree State season, hitting the board in 21 of 27 starts while taking his seasonal mark of 1:58.4 in a mid-summer speed show at Scarborough Downs. That clocking matched his 2010 local speed standard, a performance which etched his name in the Scarborough record books as the fastest four-year-old gelding in the 61 year history of the seaside oval.

"Kyle and I have been privileged to campaign some pretty nice horses here in Maine over the years and Victory Tax rates right up there" trainer Steven Vafiades said, "He's an honest trotter who always tries his best. I'm happy we can showcase him in front of the local fans and it's an honor to accept this award on his behalf."

Victory Tax closed out the season strong, posting an impressive 1:59.1 romp on the closing day of the Scarborough meeting, on a windswept and bone-chilling late December day - going out a winner in similar fashion as 2011 Pacer of the Year, Malek Hanover.

The great ones just know how to make an exit.