24- The -Canadiare Champion, Tuesday,-Februâr,9, i 99il 0N Estabished Since 1989 878-9293 30 0 Dy FU WY ...../ Suite 203 .... (across f rom the Hospital> j Fen -tas ic fnish Phoo by GRAHAM PAINE Laura Fenn, 10, of Milton Heights Racing Club clears a set of gates toward a fourth-place finish in her age class during Sunday's Invitational Slalom at Gien Eden. Waples is Driver of the Year Randy Waples has a new title to caîl his own. Canadian harneso racing's total wins leader for 1998 was also chosen as the Driver of the Year. His coveted O'Brien award was present- ed January 30 an the Canadian Trotting Association banquet in Mississauga. The 33-year-old Homby resident cele- brated a career year, driving 452 winners and horses to over $4.2 million in purse money while competing regularly at the Ontario Jockey Club's Mohawk, Woodbine and Flamboro Downs tracks. Though Waples didn't triumph in many of the higher profile events, he managed to surpass the 1,000 win plateau, which for a driver only a few years into the sport is an impressive achievement. In the money depariment he finishcd second to Steve Condren, the other finaliot for Driver of the Year. The 41-year-old Miltonian captured the title st year.aue He made a strong case for recîaiming the award in 1998 with 245 victories and $4.5 Perbapo bis biggest win came aboard the three-year-old filly trotter Image Control in the Canadian Breeders Championship at Mohawk Raceway. Windsor's Bob Mclntosh collected an unprecedented seventh national title as Tramner of the Year white Odies Fame - the Cinderella story of 1998 - was named Horse of the Year. Other O'Brien winners were as follows: Two-year-old pacing colt - Island Fantasy, Three-year-old pacing filly - Armbro Romance, Older pacing mare - Jays Table, Older pacing horse - Red Row Tie, Two-year-old trotting filly - C.L. Brightness, Two-year-old trotting colt - Armbro Scorpion, Three-year-old trotting filly - Image Control, Three-year-old trotting colt - Stormont Tuscany, Older trotting mare - Kewpie Doîl B, Older trotting horse - Glorys Comet, 4IVerchants close to finest season By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion The Milton Merchants juggernaut rolis on. Over the weekend the provincial powerhouse secured two more decisive victories and are now winners in 17 of their last 18 outings. They continue to occupy top spot in the West Conference - enjoying a three point cushion over Bramalea, who juot took their fourth loos. At 38-4-3 the Merchants are about to register their fineot regular season record of this decade. Sunday at tce Sports Mrena it was captain Kevin O'Flaherty who fired goal number one and then added a pair of assists to lead bis teamn no a 4-I decision over the Oakville Blades, who've been plummeting late- ly and slipped a couple of notcbes in tbe standings. Ail of Milton's scoring was done in the ipiddle stanza, when tbey cranked thingo up and peppered opposing goal- tender Carmen Ellsworth with two dozen shots. Counterpari Daniel Jacques was challenged 26 times over the course of the evening and thanko to a terrific firot haîf managed to lower bis goals- againot average to 2.47. Sensing defeat midway through the final frame, tbe Blades switched gears and goaded tbeir rivaIs into a little brawling. Half a dozen fights ensued during the tail end of the con- test, althougb none really amount to much. One period earlier it was Ryan Robicbaud who provided the only enter- taining moment in the extra- curricular activity department. With bis club up 4-0, be accepted Ellswortb's challenge and floored tbe netminder witb a right cross before pummeling an intervening Steve Kinnunen. Brian Moniz, formerly of Oakville, notched a goal and an assiot for the Merchants as did defenceman Dave Csumrik. Also lighting the lamp was Mark Beisel, white Rob Meanchoff collected two Kevin O'Flaherty Spoiling Jacques' shutout bid with I1 minutes left to play was David Mennie. Two nigbts earlier an home, Milton laid a 9-I drubbing on the lowly Vaughan Vipers in front of a near capacity Family Night crowd. This predetermined blowout featured solid production from the local club's secondary per- formers, as Jamie Dubrick, Jasen Hopiavuori and Adam Sturgeon al buried the biscuit. Tallying twice was Geoff Schomogyi, who is now up to 36 goals and oins an an out- standing plus 57. Other singles went to Meanchoff, Ryan Carrigan and Mike Wheelihan while O'Flaherty amassed a season high four assista. Milton carried the visitors for two periodo before unloading with four goals on 26 shots in the third. Merchant notes: Ed McGrane, Kevin O'Flaherty and Geoff Schomogyi ail sit top 10 in West Conference scoring and each bave a shot at h>Jting 100 points ... Milton now sports a goals-against average of 2.67. ... With juot six games left in the regular oea- son, goalie Jeremy Wenzel remains unbeaten ... The Merchants hosi Brampton Friday and travel to Caledon million in total eamings. Brood mare - Lou Macs Glory. Randy Waples helpers. Saturday. GEORGETOWN TOYOTAÀ=[i AirPCK ICn iJDESin 9 Toyota C RY CE or Choose * I *Automnatic Transmission 48r monts fo 5.8%ne $ $3--dm *Power Windows and Door Locks LeaseI7 U. if 0mnitids lm fns DOViPOI0 MIfIO AU bAMffM Stereo with CD freLease neld.e fou t 60ann $00 $373' 'Croise Control 'Carpet floor mat egt&P fet t $1000$30 '2,2 litre 4 Cylinder DOHC ONLY $1950 down $00$303"' NICELY EQUIPPED FOR $24,700 MSRP Based on a 48ms walkaway ease. F is payrent +secont damaitdue on delry Basedon 96,000km. Addtonal.charg of $0.11 Off lcabeonCAMRYCE. * -1111, CANADIAN CHAMPION TUESDAY 1'l"BRUARY 9,1999