Maple Leaf Mel Earns New York-Bred Horse of the Year
Multiple graded stakes winner Maple Leaf Mel earned New York-bred Horse of the Year, champion 3-year-old filly, and champion female sprinter honors during the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.'s annual awards ceremony May 13 at Sacred Saratoga on the property of GMP Farm in Schuylerville. Bred by Joe Fafone and campaigned by Bill Parcells' August Dawn Farm, Maple Leaf Mel won the East View Stakes at Aqueduct against fellow New York-bred fillies before back-to-back successes in the Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) at Pimlico Race Course and the Victory Ride (G3) at Belmont Park. The daughter of Cross Trafficsuffered a fatal injury in the final strides, while on the lead and headed to a certain victory, of the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Melanie Giddings and Jeremiah Englehart, Maple Leaf Mel won five of six starts and earned $399,650. The 2023 New York-bred Horse of the Year and divisional champions were chosen by a vote of New York turf writers, handicappers, photographers, and television and radio hosts and analysts conducted by the NYTB. A commemorative awards dinner program was written and produced by ST Publishing (the team behind The Saratoga Special and Thisishorseracing.com) for Monday night's event and includes profiles of all the finalists. It can be viewed here. New York's 2023 honorees: New York-Bred Horse of the Year, Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, Champion Female Sprinter Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic-City Gift, by City Place) Breeder: Joe Fafone. Owner: August Dawn Farm. Trainers: Melanie Giddings and Jeremiah Englehart. Foaling farm: Waldorf Farm in Valatie. Champion 2-Year-Old Male The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso - Call to Service, by To Honor and Serve) Breeders: Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC, Lakland Farm and Mark Toothaker Owner: Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher Trainer: Mike Maker Foaling farm: Sequel Stallions in Hudson Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Cara's Time (Not This Time - Zindra, by Macho Uno) Breeder: Stephen Crestani Jr. Owner: Richard Greeley Trainer: Mitch Friedman Foaling farm: New Hill Farm in Hoosick Falls Champion 3-Year-Old Male Hejazi (Bernardini - G Note, by Medaglia d'Oro) Breeder: Chester and Mary Broman Owner: Zedan Racing Stables Inc. Trainers: Bob Baffert, Tim Yakteen Foaling farm: Chestertown Farm in Chestertown Champion Older Dirt Male Dr Ardito (Liam's Map - Delightfully So, by Indian Charlie) Breeders: Fred Hertrich III and John Fielding Owners: Michael Dubb and Michael Caruso Trainer: Chad Brown Foaling farm: Waldorf Farm in Valatie Champion Older Dirt Female Classy Edition (Classic Empire - Newbie, by Bernardini) Breeders: Chester and Mary Broman Owners: Robert and Lawana Low Trainer: Todd Pletcher Foaling farm: Chestertown Farm in Chestertown Champion Turf Male Red Knight (Pure Prize - Isabel Away, Skip Away) Breeder/Owner: Trinity Farm Trainer: Mike Maker Foaling farm: Keane Stud in Amenia Champion Turf Female Silver Skillet (Liam's Map - Catcha Rising Star, by Red Giant) Breeder: Robert Chasanoff Owners: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Tango Uniform Racing and Steven Rocco Trainer: Christophe Clement Foaling farm: Blue Chip Farms in Wallkill Champion Male Sprinter Bold Journey (Hard Spun - Polly Freeze, by Super Saver) Breeders: Fred Hertrich III and John Fielding. Owners: Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber Trainer: Bill Mott Foaling farm: Waldorf Farm in Valatie Steeplechaser Kiyomori (First Samurai - The Grey Express, by King's Theatre) Breeder/Owner: Greg Hawkins Trainers: Todd Wyatt and Janet Elliot Foaling farm: River Valley Farm in Gansevoort Broodmare of the Year: City Gift (City Place - For My Wife, by Not For Love) New York-Bred Trainer of the Year: Linda Rice New York-Bred Jockey of the Year: Manuel Franco New York Breeder of the Year: Stonewall Farm New York-Bred Lifetime Achievement Award: Vivien Malloy