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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Undefeated filly JK She'salady is harness racing's Horse of the Year, narrowly edging Sweet Lou for the sport's top honor.
The results of the balloting by members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association and the American Harness Racing Secretaries were announced Thursday at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
JK She'salady won by five votes, 57-52, in the tightest finish since Savoir beat Silk Stockings by three votes in 1975.
It's a record-setting outcome on two levels. JK She'salady is the first 2-year-old pacing filly to win the title, and she's the only Horse of the Year also not crowned Pacer of the Year or Trotter of the Year.
Sweet Lou beat JK She'salady by a single vote, 74-73, in the Pacer of the Year race.
JK She'salady was a perfect 12 for 12 this season, earning $883,330 for 3 Brothers Stables, the owners and breeders, and trainer Nancy Johansson.
It's the first Horse of the Year title for Johansson, the daughter of Hall of Fame trainer Jimmy Takter.
Sweet Lou was the dominant older pacer this year. The 5-year-old won 11 of 19 races and over $1.3 million.
In the other announcement Thursday, the 3-year-old filly Shake It Cerry took Trotter of the Year 59-37 over Sebastian K. She won 15 of 17 races and $1.2 million for Takter, giving him a sixth Trotter of the Year award.
Shake It Cerry also received 14 votes for Horse of the Year. She finished fourth, only two behind Father Patrick.
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