Slew’s Tiz Whiz Earns Third Horse of the Year Title

Over 110 Washington Thoroughbred racing members and aficionados gathered at Emerald Downs on Saturday, February 28, to celebrate the Washington Thoroughbred industry's 2025 equine champions and honor a few treasured industry individuals for their accomplishments and dedication to the horses and the sport. The evening of celebration and camaraderie began with the opportunity to skim the enticing silent auctions. Introductions and an invocation by Emerald Downs Backstretch Chaplain Andre Sims followed. Among the other auctions was a bountiful dessert auction, which brought spirited bidding. A tasty buffet dinner was enjoyed by all. The first award of the evening was the Mark Kaufman Media Award, which was given to the versatile and long-time industry member John Lindley. Next came the announcement of the 2026 Washington Racing Hall of Fame inductees. Led by the recognition of WHRC chairman Doug Moore in the Lifetime Achievement category. Maxwell G. received the most votes in the older horse division. Older filly or mare honors were bestowed on Reba Is Tops, and the media award was given to Mark Kaufman. Jockey recognition awards were presented to top local riders Kevin Krigger and Manuel Americano. Six-time 2025 race winner Chuckanut Bay went from winning for a $25,000 tag at Emerald Downs in May to taking the Hank Mills Jr. Overnight Stakes by 3 3/4 lengths at Turf Paradise in October. He was named claimer of the year. The WTBOA/WHBPA Special Recognition Award was given to Emerald Downs Director of Customer Service Vicki Potter with heartfelt thanks. The top Washington OTTB award was earned by former Washington champion race filly Risque's Legacy, who last year earned 404 TIP points while competing in barrel racing and Western games for owner/rider JoDee Synder. The top sprinter award—for the third year in a row—was awarded to Slew's Tiz Whiz, who also earned his fourth older horse title. The now eight-year-old gelding, who races for Slew's Crew Racing and was bred by the late Karl Krieg (as was Risque's Legacy), would go on to receive accolades with his third Washington horse of the year title later in the evening. 2024 Washington champion 2-year-old filly Precise Timing became the first Washington-bred since fellow champion Baja Sur (2020) to place in a graded stakes when she finished third in Santa Anita's Grade 3 Autumn Miss Stakes, in her first attempt on the grass, which led to her being crowned turf horse of the year. Two-year-old honors were shared by the filly Subtle Shimmer, who, like Precise Timing, was bred by Rick and Debbie Pabst, and Cantcatchthiscat, a homebred for Dr. Jack B. and Margaret "Cookie" Root Jr. Cookie was also the leading owner of Washington-bred earners last year The three-year-old filly division was one of the most hotly contested of the year, with Roy and Ellie Schaefer's R. E. V. Racing's Saleen G T edging out Steve and Letha Haahr's Ima Margarita Girl for top honors. The sophomore colt award went to He's Not Talking, who races for trainer Doug McPhee and his wife Nancy's Q Stable. David Olson's homebred Stay Sassy earned the older filly or mare title, and her trainer, Charles Essex, was honored with a special training achievement award for his trainees taking four consecutive older mare championships. Blue Ribbon Farm's Alternation earned his second leading sire title, and broodmare of the year honors went to El Dorado Farms' Jasmine's Melody. El Dorado Farms' owners Ron and Nina Hagen earned their ninth top breeder award and their fourth consecutive title. Both the previously mentioned Saleen G T and Chuckanut Bay were bred by the Hagens, as well as the top Washington-bred earner in 2025, stakes winner Coastal Jazz. The Washington Thoroughbred industry's most prestigious award was given to longtime Washington WHBPA Secretary MaryAnn O'Connell a woman of many talents and a big heart.