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OkillSports 24SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2011 Zeron gets biggest winBy Herb Garbuttareas over the past year. He drove 257OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFwinners, with winnings in excess of $5.7-million, and had another 94 winsRick Zeron has found himself in theand $1.7-million in winnings as a train-winners circle more than 7,000 timeser.in a career that spans more than 30This is the ultimate award as ayears. horseman, Zeron said, because it cov-But going after the one victory thaters all aspects driving, training andhas eluded him, he found himself moreowning. That makes it that much morenervous than hed ever been gratifying.in any stretch run.Zeron now has his sightsThis is theI was shaking, Zeron set on bringing home anultimate award assaid of awaiting the OBrien for one of his hors-a horsemanannouncement for es. Two of his horses werebecause it coversStandardbred Canadas OBrien finalists but he seesall aspects Award of Horsemanship. even more potential forNominated six previous this year.driving, training times five for driver of I think we have threeand owning. That the year and once for the or four horses in the barnmakes it thatsame award last year who could be the elite of much moreZeron was still seeking his the elite.gratifying.first OBrien Award.Scott Zeron was theAnd when his name was runner-up to Randy Waples, Rick Zeronfinally read last weekend, who earned his third driverZerons family erupted in of the year award.celebration.Once youre nominated, you want toMy three daughters were so excitedwin so its a little disappointing, Scottand my son was laughing, Zeron said,said, but its great to be nominatedand there was a 54-year-old man cry-against all of the top drivers.ing.Coming off a year in which he wonIt was an absolutely amazing thing,more races (606) than any driver insaid Scott Zeron, who was up for hisCanada, the 21-year-old has some loftyown OBrien for driver of the year latergoals. Hes set his sights on Jodyin the evening. He was just bawling. IJamiesons national record of 787 victo-dont think Ive ever seen my dad cry sories in a calendar year. Hes off to a goodmuch. We were so proud of him. Hestart with 64 wins already under his belt.waited so many years it was longAnd the countrys horseman of theoverdue.year doesnt doubt the young driversIn a career that began as a driver inability to break the record.PHOTO COURTESY IRON HORSE PHOTO1977, Rick Zeron has expanded his influ-One thing about my son, Rick said,HORSE POWER: Oakville resident and longtime horse driver Rick Zeron received an O'Brien Award lastence in the sport into both training andis that when he sets his mind to some-weekend from Standardbred Canada in recognition of horsemanship.ownership. He excelled in each of thosething, he gets it.