For the second straight year Speightstown’s Canadian sprint star Essence Hit Man was named the Sovereign Award winner in male sprint division at the awards ceremony held April 19 at Woodbine Racecourse.
Essence Hit Man was his usual stellar self last season, winning three of six starts and earning $379,357. All three of his stakes wins came at Woodbine: in the $168,000 Jacques Cartier S., the Grade 3 Vigil S., and the Grade 3 Bold Venture S.
The well-deserved award was tinged with sadness for his connections as Audre Cappuccitti, his trainer, co-owner, and co-breeder (along with husband Gordon), passed away last fall. Mrs. Cappuccitti was 75.
Essence Hit Man’s 2012 campaign put him over the $1 million mark in career earnings, making him one of four offspring of Speightstown to eclipse the prestigious mark.
After finishing third on the 2012 General Sire list, Speightstown is right back near the top once again this year, sitting in the second spot as of April 21, with $3,237,304 in progeny earnings. His 53 winners is tied for best among all North American stallions.
