March 2022 Issue

Page 46 March 2022 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN By Ken Weingartner Henry Cano, who works in the Ake Svanstedt Stable based in central New Jersey and was the groom of three finalists in last August’s Hambletonian, has been named the recipient of the 2021 Caretaker of the Year Award sponsored by Art Zubrod and Leah Cheverie’s Fair Island Farm in conjunction with the U.S. Har- ness Writers Association. Cano, 32, has worked for Svanstedt for three years. Previ- ously, he spent more than a dozen years working for Erv Miller. “I’m very happy,” Cano said. “I never expected this. I never thought this could happen to me. But it happened and I’m excited about it.” Cano was the caretaker of six horses last year, including Svanstedt’s trio of Hambletonian Stakes finalists: Captain Co- rey, Ambassador Hanover, and Delayed Hanover. Captain Corey and Delayed Hanover were Ham- bletonian elimination winners and Captain Corey went on to capture the $1 million final. Ambassador Hanover finished third in the final and Delayed Hanover was fourth. “You can be the favorite and you still don’t know if you’re going to win,” Cano said. “We got a little luck. I couldn’t believe it. It was an exciting day. It’s something I will always remember, for all time.” Captain Corey earned $758,695 last year while Ambas- sador Hanover banked $434,189 and Delayed Hanover had $257,510. All three 3-year-old trotting colts, who were in Cano’s care since arriving at the Svanst- edt Stable as yearlings, were winners on the Grand Circuit. In addition, Cano was the caretaker of 2-year-old trotting colt Coach K Hanover, another Grand Circuit winner and runner-up in the Valley Victory Stakes. “I just love to spend time with the horses,” said Cano, who had horses while growing up in Gua- temala and came to the U.S. about 17 years ago. “I love to see them get to the track and see them race. I just feel good working them.” All caretakers in North America were eligible for the Fair Island Farm Caretaker of the Year Award, with nomination letters submitted detailing the skills and special qualities of the nominee. Cano had multiple people nominate him, including Sarah and Ake Svanstedt as well as 10 of his fellow caretakers at the Svanstedt Stable. “Henry is a self-motivat- ed, responsible, hard-working individual who has a deep passion for the horses and this sport,” the Svanstedts wrote in their nomi- nation letter. “He is a team player and has a great respect toward us and his fellow workers. He is very detail oriented and makes sure his horses get the best care possible. “None of (the success) would be possible without the exceptional Harness Writers Name Henry Cano Caretaker of the Year (Continued on page 49) Tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian!