A local horse just came off a good racing season in which he won the 2011 Saskatchewan Racing Association (SRA) Horse of the Year Award. On top of that, he also set a track race record in Regina.
Max McInnes and his wife Deb bought the horse in the spring of 2011.
Shaun Worthen trains it and Kirk Rogers rides. So far Sophio has been doing well on the racetrack.
So well that McInnes is already licking his chops in anticipation of the upcoming racing season, perhaps wondering what more this horse could possibly do.
Sophio Hanover just turned five years old and has a pretty good looking resume to this point.
"Put it this wayI, no, we (referring to himself and his wife Deb) are looking forward to continuing to race next year."
"Shaun (Sophio's trainer) has to make sure he stays in shape."
The standardbred season is scheduled to start on May 18 and it should be Sophio's first night out in Yorkton after having competed out in Edmonton recently.
Staying in shape for a horse includes things like giving the horse time off racing, jogging him around the track, training, tuning up the breathing, says McInnes, noting that Worthen is "very passionate about it (training) too".
McInnes credited several people for the success Sophio has had over the past racing season.
Rogers is Sophio's driver, as well the horse has gotten some help from Brent Grundy of the Edmonton Northlands Park and Brent Lee, also of Edmonton.
When asked what could help make an even better year for Sophio this coming season, McInnes responded that it will likely depend on several factors.
The Horse of the Year Award is voted on by the members of the Saskatchewan Standardbred Horseman Association (SSHA).
McInnes says it basically includes the horses that have won the most races.
Sophio's year saw him finish in first place on 10 different occasions; six of them came on the Yorkton racetrack, points out McInnes, also noting that races are predetermined in regards to who can race in them.
"That's his best season ever," noted a proud McInnes.
"I may never have another horse that can do that," claims McInnes.
Sophio's best time thus far has been 1:56:00, he said.
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