Esplanande Named Ohio’s 2020 Horse Of The Year

The undefeated filly Esplanande kept her record unblemished by capturing the 29th running of the $100,000 Best of Ohio Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes for Ohio-registered 2-year-olds

Esplanande, who bested all challengers in her home state, and made an impact on the national stage was named 2020 Ohio Horse of the Year by the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners.

The Daredevil filly won three of four starts last year, winning on debut by 6 1/4 lengths at Belterra Park, then taking the Hoover Stakes at the same track with a front-running trip. Esplanande then shipped north to Thistledown for the Best of Ohio Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes, where she once again led at every point of call to win by 4 1/4 lengths.

The filly then tested deeper waters, shipping to Saratoga for the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes in her final start of the season. She led through the early fractions, but ultimately finished second to future Eclipse Award winner Vequist.

Esplanande is owned by the partnership of Winstar Farm LLC, Blazing Meadows Farm LLC, and Michael Lewis. She was also bred by WinStar and Blazing Meadows, and she is trained by Tim Hamm.

The filly’s ownership group was also named Ohio Owners of the Year, and Esplanande took home additional honors as Ohio’s champion 2-year-old filly. Southern Silence, the dam of Esplanande was also named Ohio’s Broodmare of the Year.

This year’s winners were selected by a committee composed of Lawrence “Bill” Couch, Ed Vomacka, and Hugh Drexler – the racing secretaries at each Ohio Thoroughbred track – and Bob “Railbird” Roberts, the award-winning former turf writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Following is the full list of winners from the OTBO’s 2020 year-end awards.

Owner of the Year: Winstar Farm LLC., Blazing Meadows LLC and Michael Lewis

Breeder of the Year: Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm

Horse of the Year: Esplanande
Owner: Winstar Farm LLC., Tim Hamm and Michael Lewis
Breeder: Blazing Meadows Farm & WinStar Farm LLC
Trainer: Tim Hamm

Stallion of the Year: Mobil
Owner: George Sikora
Standing at: Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm

Broodmare of the Year: Southern Silence
Owner: Blazing Meadow and Winstar Farm LLC

Champion Handicap Horse: Mobil Solution
Owner: Danielle Agnello
Breeder: Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm
Trainer: Jeffrey Skerrett

Champion Handicap Mare: Circus Rings
Owner: Knights A to Z Racing LLC
Breeder: Michael E. Lauer & Penny S. Lauer
Trainer: Valerie K. Shanyfelt

Ohio-Bred Claimer of the Year: Star Mabee
Owner: Michael J. Annechino
Breeder: Lake Shore Farm, LLC
Trainer: Jeffrey A. Radosevich

Champion Sprinter: Chief Randel
Owner: Harry D. Waite
Breeder: Harry D. Waite & Ronald C. Waite
Trainer: Jose A. Romero

Champion Accredited Male: Mobil Solution
Owner: Danielle Agnello
Breeder: Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm
Trainer: Jeffrey Skerrett

Champion Accredited Female: Grizabella
Owner: Michael J. Annechino
Breeder: Mapleton Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Jeffrey A. Radosevich

Champion 3-Year-Old Male: Chief Randel
Owner: Harry D. Waite
Breeder: Harry D. Waite & Ronald C. Waite
Trainer: Jose A. Romero

Champion 3-Year-Old Filly: Moonlit Mission
Owner: Charlie J. Williams LLC
Breeder: Belvedere Farm Inc.
Trainer: Silvano M. Gonzalez

Champion 2-Year-Old Male: Buckeye Magic
Owner: Maccabee Farm LLC
Breeder: Maccabee Farm
Trainer: Thomas Drury Jr.

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Esplanande
Owner: Winstar Farm LLC., Tim Hamm and Michael Lewis
Breeder: Blazing Meadows Farm LLC & WinStar Farm, LLC
Trainer: Tim Hamm