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John MacDonald snags top awards at Inverness Raceway

Two years short of retirement last season at 12 years old, John MacDonald’s Doubleshotascotch proved to be steady campaigner in the feature class to earn Inverness Raceway’s Horse of the Year for 2018.


-by Bill Dunphy

    A season when practically everything goes right is a rare occasion in harness racing – and when it does, you enjoy every fifth of a second of it.
    Inverness horseman John MacDonald had one of those seasons in 2018 and was recognized for his achievements at Inverness Raceway’s awards banquet on Friday.
    MacDonald took home three top awards, including the prestigious horse of the year award for his 12-year-old campaigner, Doubleshotascotch.
    He was also the track’s top trainer for average in the 50-plus starts division, plugging in a .464 UDRS that included 13 wins.
    MacDonald was also the recipient of the Standardbred Canada award, presented by SC director Phonsie MacEachern.
    Doubleshotascotch, who is two seasons away from mandatory retirement, had all of his 24 starts in 2018 at Inverness Raceway. He compiled a record of seven wins, 10 second-place finishes and four thirds for earnings of $7026 in 2018 and lifetime earnings of over $800,000. He paced in 1:59.2 for his fastest mile last season.
     Doubleshotascotch was one of two 12-year-olds that raced well for MacDonald in 2018. Boswell Hanover had a big comeback season to post a 6-4-5 record in 27 starts for earnings of more than $4200.
    “I actually thought old Boswell would be losing a step and I never thought Doubleshotascotch would be a top class, that he would peter out and go down a few classes – I never dreamt he would be that good,” MacDonald said.
    But both horses were well-bred and Scotch came in on the verge of topping $800,000 in earnings.
    “Pat Moran said it, that he’d be the best horse the next year, barring the Copley horse (Intended Royalty). And he was right, if you come up half-straight and get her to the arena, then class would take over.”
    MacDonald said both horses are sound heading into the new season. “They’re doing really well; they’re pretty smart and don’t train too hard – they save it for the race.”
    And MacDonald said he’s added a third horse, Putit On The Card, to his stable this season, a four-year-old mare by American Ideal.
    When called up to receive the award for horse of the year, he was called by his nickname, John “Snag” MacDonald.
    If there’s one thing you learn in this business, it’s that you have to be careful using nicknames, but MacDonald said he’s good with Snag and that it helps separate him from all the John MacDonalds in the world.
    “A few years back Ronnie Trenholm was looking to borrow some boots or some other piece of equipment but he couldn’t find my number. He saw my sister Marguerite and said I looked through the phone book backwards and forwards but there’s no Johnny Snag in it,” he said with a laugh.
    “That’s okay, I’ve put a lot of nicknames on people in my day.”
    The awards ceremony started off with words from invited guests.
    Inverness warden Betty Ann MacQuarrie praised the people who work hard keeping harness racing alive. “The people who keep this track running should give yourselves a big hand.”
    Inverness MLA Allan MacMaster noted how many young people are involved and learning the ropes from the veterans. “All the young people in this room – it reminds me of a dance in West Mabou.”
    “The happiest county? It all starts here,” said Inverness councillor Jim Mustard. “Inverness Raceway has deepened my sense of what creates a community, where young people learn to be good people.”
    Standardbred Canada director Phonsie MacEachern said Inverness Raceway ranks high with horsemen from across Atlantic Canada involved in the Atlantic Sires Stakes. “Every one of them enjoy coming to Inverness...and they enjoy the tail-gating too.”
    Owner, trainer, and driver Clare MacDonald was the guest speaker for the event. A fan favourite in Inverness,  she was introduced by Frances MacEachern, who said Clare “is a role model and inspiration for so many, young and old.”
    MacEachern noted that Clare was a top trainer in the Maritimes and the first Canadian woman to top 1000 wins. And as a driver, she said MacDonald, in 8198 starts, has 1433 wins, 1331 seconds, and 1253 thirds.
    MacDonald replied, “That leaves about 4000 of mostly lasts.”
    She said her first tracks were Sackville and Truro, but she spent lots of time travelling to Inverness from her home in Antigonish County.
    “Inverness is the grass roots of racing where the people enjoy the sport for what it is, a sport. You’re doing it not for a lot of monetary gain, but doing it because you enjoy it.”
    MacDonald said the growing economy in Inverness creates potential for the raceway.
    “Inverness Raceway has the greatest chances for growth. A strong economy means more people can remain here instead of going out west.”
    Noting the raceway will soon be in need of a new paddock barn, MacDonald glanced at the politicians at the head table. “I hope you’re listening, Mr. MacMaster. The more help you can give this industry, the more you will reap from it.”
    The awards ceremony began with appreciation awards being presented to three people: Bernie MacDonald, for helping where needed, be it the drag truck, water truck, or in the winter months; Kevin Deagle, for keeping the grounds mowed and trimmed; and Richie Mullins, for maintaining the track.
    Three retiring members of the executive were presented with years-of-service award, including: past-president Malcolm MacEachen, 25 years; D.F. Beaton, 11 years; and Charles Fraser, two years.
    Ed Copley was named volunteer of the year for his work in selling Tri-Cash tickets, upwards of 200 per week.
    The Raymond (Slim) Gillis award, presented to an individual who seeks out sponsorships for the track, went to recently-elected president Barry Watson.
    The happiest person to receive an award on Friday was Jamie Campbell, who was named fan of the year. Jamie is known for never missing a race, likes getting tips, and cheering for his favourite driver, Redmond Doucet Jr.
    The biggest applause and a standing ovation were reserved for 83-year-old Mary MacQuarrie, who was the recipient of the Gerard Kennedy Financial Award for dedication to the sport of harness racing. MacQuarrie has been involved in the sport since the 1960s and has been jogging and training horses for 42 years. You will see her most mornings making her way to the track along the back streets of Inverness with her horse, Jolts Virtue.
    Dylan MacLean, who can be found helping his grand uncles George and Harold on race days, was named junior groom of the year.
    Matt Hinkley and Zack Mullins, who both got their trainers licence in 2018, were named the rookie trainers of the year.
    The driver awards began with Redmond Doucet Jr. receiving the award for most drives with 141.
    Shawn MacDonald, with a .455 UDRS, was top driver for average in the 20-49 drives division. First place for wins was Lanny Hanscombe with six. There was a three-way tie for second with Sandy MacNeil, Alex MacDonald, and Joey G. Poirier (Sydney) each with five wins. And a two-way tie for third had Charles Fraser and Ambrose Gillis each with two.
    Top driver for average in the 50-plus drives division was Doucet with a .466 UDRS. He was also first in wins with 44; Rodney Gillis second with 28; and Ryan Campbell third with 24.
    Alex Sutherland was the top trainer for average in the  20-49 starts division with a UDRS of .485. There was a two-way tie for second in wins with Anthony Beaton and Donald MacLellan each with 10. A three-way tie for third had Joey G. Poirier, Joey L. Poirier (Inverness), and Allan Gillis each with seven wins.
    Chasing John MacDonald’s 13 training wins in the 50-plus starts division were Lennan MacIsaac who was second with 12 wins, and D.F. Beaton and Wendell Harper tied for third with 11.
    Next up were the horse awards, beginning with QTs  Charlie being named top two-year-old colt for owner John Murphy. In five starts in 2018, the colt had two wins and two seconds, pacing in 2:04.4.
    Bill and Maria MacLeod saw Miss Dynamite D named top two-year-old filly. With a win in 2:00.1, she was 5-0-1 in 11 starts.
    There was a two-way tie for the three-year-old colt award. Windmeredontmatter won for owners Alex Sutherland and Malcolm MacEachen. He had a summary of 26-8-4-1 and a mile in 2:00.1. The other winner was Blackriver Ripper for owner Wayne MacLellan. The colt had a record of 25-8-2-1 and a best mile of 1:58.1.
    Charles Fraser was on hand, along with Owen and Avery, to accept the award for top three-year-old filly: This Old Millie. She was 5-7-5 in 25 starts in 2018.
    Claimer of the year went to Shanghai BG, owned by Ann and Jim Copley and Evan Gillis. The horse had a summary of 13-2-3-2.
    Doucet Jr.’s horse Tipperback Jack was named most improved in 2018. The horse had a 7-7-6 record in 28 starts, earnings of $7024, and a 1:58.4 trip.
    The mode of consistency award went to REs Aiden. Owned by D.F. Beaton and Adam Pond, the horse had a 26-8-7-2 summary, earnings of $5740, and a mile in 1:58.4.
    The award for iron horse of the year was also deemed a tie between Makes Me Stupid (owned by Anthony Beaton, 25-5-8-6, $5688, mile in 1:58.2) and Bonnys Mac (owned by Allan Gillis, 29-7-4-5, $5374, mile in 1:58.4).
    The award for fastest mile by a local horse was won by Intended Royalty. Owned by Ed and Randy Copley, the horse paced in 1:57.1 at Inverness Raceway and had five wins and two seconds in eight starts.
    And finally, Modern Best was named mare of the year for owners Simon Poirier and Chad MacDonnell. She had a summary of 24-10-4-5, paced a mile in 1:58.2, and went on to Charlottetown where she won in 1:55.4.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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