Not many people can head into this weekend s O’Brien Awards knowing they have an award secured, but trainer Luc Blais is in that rare position.
The Quebec native, who has become the man in charge training Serge Godin’s Determination Stable, conditions both nominees for Two-Year-Old Trotting Male of the Year Macho Martini and On A Streak. Blais also trains nominee for Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year Donna Soprano, but can sit on the edge of his seat as that filly competes for the title against Paul Walker trainee Imextraspecial.
“It was an amazing year,” Blais said. “You know, when you win an O’Brien, for me, it’s the best [award] you can win. Because it touches a lot of people that are around that horse. The owner can be part of that, the groom, the blacksmith.lots of people are involved and they re very happy. That’s why it’s very special when a horse wins an O’Brien Award. We had a lot of thrills this year with the two-year-olds.”