Esplanande Named Ohio’s 2020 Horse Of The Year by Paulick Report Staff|04.16.2021|10:19am The undefeated filly Esplanande kept her record unblemished by capturing the 29th running of the $100,000 Best of Ohio Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes for Ohio-registered 2-year-olds Esplanande, who bested all challengers in her home state, and made an impact on the national stage was named 2020 Ohio Horse of the Year by the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners. The Daredevil filly won three of four starts last year, winning on debut by 6 1/4 lengths at Belterra Park, then taking the Hoover Stakes at the same track with a front-running trip. Esplanande then shipped north to Thistledown for the Best of Ohio Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes, where she once again led at every point of call to win by 4 1/4 lengths. The filly then tested deeper waters, shipping to Saratoga for the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes in her final start of the season. She led through the early fractions, but ultimately finished second to future Eclipse Award winner Vequist. Esplanande is owned by the partnership of Winstar Farm LLC, Blazing Meadows Farm LLC, and Michael Lewis. She was also bred by WinStar and Blazing Meadows, and she is trained by Tim Hamm. The filly's ownership group was also named Ohio Owners of the Year, and Esplanande took home additional honors as Ohio's champion 2-year-old filly. Southern Silence, the dam of Esplanande was also named Ohio's Broodmare of the Year. This year's winners were selected by a committee composed of Lawrence “Bill” Couch, Ed Vomacka, and Hugh Drexler – the racing secretaries at each Ohio Thoroughbred track – and Bob “Railbird” Roberts, the award-winning former turf writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Following is the full list of winners from the OTBO's 2020 year-end awards. Owner of the Year: Winstar Farm LLC., Blazing Meadows LLC and Michael Lewis Breeder of the Year: Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm Horse of the Year: Esplanande Owner: Winstar Farm LLC., Tim Hamm and Michael Lewis Breeder: Blazing Meadows Farm & WinStar Farm LLC Trainer: Tim Hamm Stallion of the Year: Mobil Owner: George Sikora Standing at: Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm Broodmare of the Year: Southern Silence Owner: Blazing Meadow and Winstar Farm LLC Champion Handicap Horse: Mobil Solution Owner: Danielle Agnello Breeder: Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm Trainer: Jeffrey Skerrett Champion Handicap Mare: Circus Rings Owner: Knights A to Z Racing LLC Breeder: Michael E. Lauer & Penny S. Lauer Trainer: Valerie K. Shanyfelt Ohio-Bred Claimer of the Year: Star Mabee Owner: Michael J. Annechino Breeder: Lake Shore Farm, LLC Trainer: Jeffrey A. Radosevich Champion Sprinter: Chief Randel Owner: Harry D. Waite Breeder: Harry D. Waite & Ronald C. Waite Trainer: Jose A. Romero Champion Accredited Male: Mobil Solution Owner: Danielle Agnello Breeder: Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm Trainer: Jeffrey Skerrett Champion Accredited Female: Grizabella Owner: Michael J. Annechino Breeder: Mapleton Thoroughbreds Trainer: Jeffrey A. Radosevich Champion 3-Year-Old Male: Chief Randel Owner: Harry D. Waite Breeder: Harry D. Waite & Ronald C. Waite Trainer: Jose A. Romero Champion 3-Year-Old Filly: Moonlit Mission Owner: Charlie J. Williams LLC Breeder: Belvedere Farm Inc. Trainer: Silvano M. Gonzalez Champion 2-Year-Old Male: Buckeye Magic Owner: Maccabee Farm LLC Breeder: Maccabee Farm Trainer: Thomas Drury Jr. Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Esplanande Owner: Winstar Farm LLC., Tim Hamm and Michael Lewis Breeder: Blazing Meadows Farm LLC & WinStar Farm, LLC Trainer: Tim Hamm