Bijou Barrister Honored with National HBPA's 2010 Western Regional Claimer of Year Award

During the “Day at the Races” portion of the National HBPA Convention in Seattle on July 23, owners H.R. “Pat” Mullens, Ed Zenker, and Richard “Swede” Larson were presented with the 2010 National HBPA Western Regional Claimer of the Year Award honoring the outstanding achievements of Bijou Barrister.  The National HBPA Awards Committee chose the Washington-bred runner from horses nominated by HBPA members around the country.

Mullens, who also trains the five-year-old gelded son of Tribunal, accompanied the co-owners for the Emerald Downs winner’s circle presentation.

A $2,000 WTBOA 2007 October sales purchase, Bijou Barrister broke his maiden in his second lifetime start. He ended his three-year old season in 2009 with four consecutive wins at Portland Meadows, all at the $2,500-$5,000 level.

Bijou Barrister’s winning ways continued in 2010 as he was victorious in his first start at Emerald Downs in a wide-open $5,000 claiming race on May 2. He went on to win three out of his four next starts as he climbed the claiming ranks at Emerald. His 2010 season culminated when he took the Mt. Hood Stakes at Portland Meadows on November 17, defeating some solid Emerald Downs opponents such as 2008 Longacres Mile winner Wasserman, Olympic Lights, and Carry On John.

Overall in 2010, Bijou Barrister won six of his 11 starts. He also earned three seconds and one third on his way to earnings of $44,557.

Bijou Barrister is out the Chequer mare On the Big Screen and was bred in Washington by Czech-Mate Stables.