NYSS, USTA District 8 announce 2022 award winners

VERNON, NY – The New York Sire Stakes and United States Trotting Association (USTA) District 8 hosted their annual Awards Banquet on Sunday, November 13 at Vernon Downs Casino Hotel to recognize and honor harness racing horses, owners, drivers, trainers and breeders of the 2022 season.

During the Annual Awards, USTA District 8 announced Valentina Blu as the Horse of the Year.

The additional awardees are as follows:

USTA District 8 Individual Awards

Owner of the Year: Purple Haze

Breeder of the Year: Winbak Farm

Trainer of the Year: Ray Schnittker

Driver of the Year: Jason Bartlett

New York Sire Stakes Individual Awards

Leading Driver: Brian Sears
Leading Trainer: Marcus Melandar
Leading Breeder: Winbak Farm

County Fair Individual Awards

Leading Driver: Mark Whitcroft

Leading Trainer: Cheryl Davis Whitcroft

VIDEO: To watch the Annual Awards Banquet, visit the New York Sire Stakes’ social media pages by clicking here.

by Leah Rostohar, for the New York Sire Stakes