Blazingbellablu Crowned Washington Horse of the Year

The last time a sophomore filly was awarded Washington horse of the year was 22 years ago, and in fact since 1950, Blazingbellablu is only the sixth three-year-old distaffer to achieve that high honor. Her accomplishments and those of many other outstanding horses and worthy people were celebrated March 19 at the Washington Thoroughbred Champions Annual Awards and dinner held at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington. Racing as a homebred for Petra Lewin's Rainbow Meadows Farm and trainer Charlie Essex, Blazingbellablu began her championship season with a respectful showing at Santa Anita Park before traveling north for a summer campaign at Emerald Downs where she recorded three straight victories, including a tally in the Kent Stakes. After finishing fourth in both the Washington Oaks and WA Cup Fillies and Mares Stakes, Blazingbellablu made her winter home at Turf Paradise where Essex saddled her to defeat older fillies and mares in the Jeff and Jack Coady Sr. and City of Phoenix stakes. She finished her three-year-old campaign with a second-place finish in the Bell of the Ball Overnight Stakes Dec. 29. The daughter of Grazen—Bellomesa was both the leading Washington-bred earner of the year ($152,848) and the only state-bred to emerge with three stakes victories during 2021. Retiring Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association General Manager M. Anne Sweet became the 23rd recipient of the prestigious S. J. Agnew Special Achievement Award for her nearly 44 years of service to the WTBOA and the Washington Thoroughbred industry beginning with her appointment as Art Director, which grew with her job as editor of the Washington Thoroughbred. Since 2012 Anne has provided steadfast leadership and integrity as the association's General Manager while still maintaining her other two positions. Trainer Marshall Allen's efforts to help save longtime horse owner Jim Foulkes last year on the Emerald Downs' backside were acknowledged with the Race Track Chaplaincy of America White Horse Award. Other horse awards included: champion sprinter and older horse Papa's Golden Boy; champion turf horse Harbored Memories; champion older filly or mare Itsallinthenotes; champion three-year-old colt or gelding Coastal Kid; champion two-year-old colt or gelding Cobra Jet; champion two-year-old filly Koron; plater of the year Avalon King; and most improved plater of the year Ms Lynn. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick L. Pabst, breeders of Koron, were named 2021 Washington breeders of the year and their stallion Conveyance topped the state sire list. Both titles are awarded by earnings. Pontiff, who moved to California last fall, was the state's top freshman sire and two-time stakes producer Brookie Girl was selected as broodmare of the year. For the second year in a row, Khilia Giacobone's now Virginia-based Winter Knight (shown as Maei Platinum Star) was honored as top Washington-bred Off Track Thoroughbred. Others honored during the festive Longacres Mile-themed event were: Washington leading owners Todd and Shawn Hansen; Mark Kaufman Media Award winners Vince Bruun and Ray Paulick; and WHBPA Willing Hearts recipient Jill Hallin. Racetrack special achievement awards were given to trainer Kay Penney Cooper and rider Alex Cruz, who both had exceptional 2021 seasons at Emerald Downs.