The Inaugural Most Valuable Trainer (MVT) Award was won by trainer Ron Burke at the conclusion of the Breeders Crown races on Saturday night. Burke accumulated 38 points in the scoring and bested 62 other trainers who all put on another thrilling show for harness racing fans all over the world.
Burke sent 10 horses postward in the $6.2 million Crown finals, and brought home a win (Sweet Lou in the freshman pacing division,) a second (Foiled Again in the Crown pace) and a third (Rocklamation in the sophomore filly pace.) Only two of his ten charges failed to hit the board.
“For us, Sweet Lou was the best win of my career,” said Burke.
“People mention the Artsplace-Die Laughing [Crown] race as the only one to come close in memory. When you are in that company, when you get mentioned with horses like that, that’s really something”
As part of his award, Burke will receive $2,500 in racing tack and equipment from Walsh Harness and Saddlery and a commemorative trophy. Burke started the card with 10 horses entered and hit the board three times with winner Sweet Lou in the $650,000 Two-Year-Old Colt Pace, second place finisher Foiled Again in the $500,000 Crown Pace, and third place finisher Foxy Lady in the $500,000 Three-Year-Old Filly Pace. All in all a very good night for the connections of Ron Burke.
Paul Treiber, President of Walsh Harness and Saddlery, was extremely happy with the outcome.
“Ron Burke has been a leader in the sport for years and comes from a family with deep roots in harness racing just like Walsh. I congratulate him on his MVT performance on Breeders Crown night, and look forward to presenting him with his award.”
