Atlantic City, NJ (Best E Casino) - Rainbow Blue has been named 2004 Horse of the Year by the U.S. Harness Writers Association at ceremonies held Sunday night at Ceasars in Atlantic City.

The filly won the closest voting since 1975, when Savoir defeated Silk Stockings 52-49, Rainbow Blue outpolled Trotting Triple Crown winner Windsong's Legacy, 119-98.

The three-year-old daughter of Artiscape is the second filly pacer to win harness racing's top honor in four years and the third filly pacer in history to earn the honor. Bunny Lake was Horse of the Year in 2001 and Fan Hanover was the first pacing filly to do so in 1981.

Rainbow Blue captured 20 of her 21 starts last year, earning $1,195,000 in the process. She was driven by Ron Pierce, who was honored earlier in the evening as this year's Hall of Fame inductee.