Chapter Seven named horse of the year by harness writers

When it comes to winning races and winning awards, Chapter Seven has broken the bank.

The 4-year-old male trotter, who won eight of 10 starts and equaled the world record of 1 minute, 50.1 seconds on a mile racetrack, was named horse of the year Thursday in Dan Patch Awards voting by the U.S. Harness Writers Association.

Chapter Seven's 10 starts were the fewest for a horse of the year winner in harness racing history.

On Tuesday, Chapter Seven was named trotter of the year, defeating stablemate Market Share by 39 votes for the honor. Market Share also finished second in the horse of the year voting, with pacer of the year Captaintreacherous finishing third.

Chapter Seven received 84 of 146 votes for horse of the year, followed by Market Share with 41.

Both Chapter Seven and Market Share are owned by Richard Gutnick of Blue Bell, were trained by Linda Toscano, and driven by Tim Tetrick. Gutnick shares ownership of Chapter Seven with Southwind Farm and J&T Silva Stables; he shares ownership of Market Share with TLP Stable and William Augustine.

"I'm happy I'm not a voter," Gutnick said. "I'd have split my vote. I really believe both deserve it; both accomplished so much. In any other year, I think Market Share would have been horse of the year with what he did. They're both just great horses."