Robin Akers, BRD marketing director, also noted that trainers and jockeys are preparing for the start of the 2005 live meet, which begins Saturday with trials for the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association Maiden Maturity on Saturday and the second running of the Randy Bailey Memorial Handicap at four furlongs on Sunday. Akers said the gates open at 11 a.m. and the first post time is at 1 p.m. Admission is $2 and clubhouse seating is $3.50 per person.
At Friday's banquet six horsemen and women were also inducted into the BRD Hall of Fame. They are 99-year-old racehorse owner John Campbell who has been racing horses at Blue Ribbon Downs since it opened in the 1960s; Delores Mitchell, longtime member of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (OHRC); Betty Lassiter, the horsemen's bookkeeper at Blue Ribbon Downs for many years; trainers J.D. Anderson, of Sallisaw and Tahlequah, and Don Drake of Sallisaw; and retired jockey Harley Crosby who has served as the racetrack's clerk of scales since his retirement nearly 20 years ago.
Akers said the special guests acknowledged at the banquet were Mitchell of Sallisaw; and Gordon Hare, OHRC executive director.
Fred Davis, track announced, was master of ceremonies.
Valdasher, a 2-year-old colt by Dashing Val, was named BRD's Horse of the 2004 Meet.
Akers said Valdasher had six starts with three wins, one second and one third-place finish and earnings of over $36,000.
Valdasher is owned by Gregory and Carol Huckins and is trained by Carl White of Muldrow.
Valdasher was also named Best 2-Year-Old of the Meet and Best Oklahoma-Bred Horse of the Meet.
Heza Easy Gambler, owned and trained by Rex Brooks was named Best 3-Year-Old of the Meet.
The Best 4-Year-Old of the meet went to Ms Bully On The Dash, owned by Teresa and Virgil Weisinger and trained by Jim Limbaugh of Sallisaw.
Colossal Cash, owned and trained by James T. Kelley, was named Best Distance Horse of the Meet.
Best Claiming Horse was Gin Fizz Rainbows, owned by R.B. Fawcett and trained by Carl White.
Rex and Sharon Brooks won the Leading Quarter Horse Owner award and Rex was also named the top Quarter Horse Trainer of the Meet.
In the Paint Horse category, Flashn Attitude, owned by Oyana Wilson of Muskogee and trained by J.D. Anderson, was named the Paint Horse of the Meet.
Flashn Attitude also won the Best 2-Year-Old of the Meet honors.
Be Easy Indian, owned and trained by J.V. White of Sallisaw, was named the Best 3-Year-Old of the Meet.
Wilson was also named the Leading Paint Horse Owned based on money earned.
Dashboard Drummer was named the Best Appaloosa of the Meet. Dashboard Drummer, who was also named Best 3-Year-Old of the Meet, is owned by John Barnett and is trained by Angie Jones.
Taylors Wrangler, owned by Gary Taylor and is trained by Jim Limbaugh, was named the Best 2-Year-Old of the Meet.
The Leading Appaloosa Owner is Victoria Ennis of Kingston.
Adam Roughley was named the Leading Appaloosa and Paint Jockey, and Jim Limbaugh was named the Top Appaloosa and Paint Horse Trainer.
Baby Book was named the top Thoroughbred of the 2004 Meet.
Owned and trained by Clifton Brooks of Vian, Baby Book was also named the Best Claiming Horse of the Meet.
CCs Crane Man, owned by Dan and Rita Burns, was named the Best 3-Year-Old of the Meet and the Best Thoroughbred Oklahoma-Bred of the Meet. Clifton Brooks also trains CCs Crane Man.
Rein Man, owned by the partnership of Jennifer Netz and Kimberly Baskin of Sallisaw, was named Best 4-Year-Old of the Meet. Bo Forehand is trainer.
Clifton Brooks was named the Top Thoroughbred Trainer and Janet Wilson won the Top Thoroughbred Jockey honor.
For more information about racing at Blue Ribbon Downs visit the track's Web site at www.blueribbondowns.net or call the track office at (918) 775-7771.
