From: Jason M. Settlemoir

Boy, the summer has flown by! Seems like just yesterday we were opening Tioga Downs (May 1st), and now as we approach our closing day for the season on Saturday, September 11th, I remember how quickly life rolls along.  The fall to me brings back many good memories, as I will be headed back home to Ohio to the Delaware County Fairgrounds for my duties as Simulcast Director for the Little Brown Jug; I have not missed a Jug since 1988 when B.J. Scoot and Mike Lachance won the race. I have been blessed in life to work in a sport where it does not feel like work; all the great horses, great places, and great people that I have met over the years are like extended family to me. I owe many thanks in life to be where I am in a relatively short period of time, but none so more than to Terry Holton, Jerry Knappenberger and my good friend and fellow USHWA’n Phil Terry, who gave me my first opportunity to work at the Little Brown Jug as a blanket thrower in the winner’s circle back in 1995 during Jug week, and then onto Simulcast Director for this great week of racing.

From Delaware I will head back to New York and onto Pocono Downs to take in the Breeders Crown, and then onto Lexington, Kentucky for the great races and sales, before settling down for the holiday season with family and friends, all the while watching the NFL and College Football, rooting in every spare minute for my Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Buckeyes. 

At Pocono Downs we have all learned that they have made a radical move to lower their takeout rate as an experiment just in time for the Breeders Crown (Trifectas and Superfectas from 35% to 25%). I am happy they did, because we have seen positive results so far at Tioga Downs in reducing our takeout to the state minimum allowed, and hopefully it will work for Pocono too and then maybe the rest of the industry will jump on board. We must all make changes to reverse the negative trend in attendance and handle in our sport before it is too late. I understand change is not comfortable for some, but change in my eyes is inevitable to be successful; we must move along with the times and “times are a-changing”.  Please make an effort to make some positive change in our sport by the end of the year, such as bringing someone to the races and explaining a racing program to them. Change does not need to be radical in most cases – just doing something as simple as writing a positive article and getting it in your local paper is a big help.

I had a chance to make the Hambletonian at the Meadowlands two weeks ago and saw the best horses in North America on a huge day of racing. I also saw some of the Clyde Hirt students, and thanks to Ken, Debbie, Lia, Jessica and David for all their hard work with these students. The Meadowlands put on a great event, and people turned out in droves to see the races on that great afternoon. The Meadowlands also produced the third highest handle on Hambletonian Day ever, giving proof to me that the sport of harness racing is alive in well in New Jersey. If you live in New Jersey or race in New Jersey, you should be contacting the Governor’s Office as often as possible. 

Here is an article that fellow USHWA’n Carol Hodes has circulated. Please do your part, as no one else will do it for you. The Meadowlands is too important to our sport to lose, and everyone must make a concerted effort to save The Meadowlands: phone calls, e-mails, anything and everything to make your voice heard.

New Jerseyans asked to call the Governor's Office of Constituent Relations
Friday, July 30, 2010 - by Carol Hodes, for the SBOANJ

Manalapan, NJ --- The SBOANJ is asking New Jerseyans to call the Governor's Office of Constituent Relations, starting today.

The number is 609-777-2500.

You are asked to call as often as you can with a brief, respectful comment, expressing your concerns about the future of the horse racing industry in New Jersey. If applicable, you might mention that you are a taxpayer and landowner who will have to sell and move out of the state if racing does not survive and thrive in this state.

Be patient as it may take a while to get through due to the volume of calls.

Hall of Fame ballots are on their way, and are due back September 14th. Those of you who have not been USHWA members for two years or haven’t voted for the Hall of Fame in two years did not get a Hall of Fame ballot; the latter group can change this by returning the Communicators ballot, which every USHWAn gets. Please be sure to sign and/or print your name on the ballots, paper or e-mail. 

Also, please make plans for chapter meetings for the October 18th deadline for Proximity nominations, and November 17th for other major award nominations. Please keep in mind on the latter Dover Downs has a host of stakes on November 13th and 14th.

Please Book your Rooms for Florida:
We are registered with the hotel (Fort Lauderdale Marriott North), and everyone can start booking their rooms for next February 25th through 27th and the USHWA National Awards Dinner and Meetings. The rate for either a king or double (this is a non-smoking hotel) is $99.00 per night plus 11% tax. You can also book three days before (Feb. 22-24, Tues.-Thurs.) and three days afterwards (Feb. 28 – Mar. 2, Mon.-Wed.) at the same low rate. There are only a few suites available, and they run from $199 a night; for this special rate contact Maria Vigil at the Marriott North Sales Department. USHWAns can check out the hotel at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/fllcc-fort-lauderdale-marriott-north/. All anyone needs to do to reserve rooms is to call 1-800-319-5705 and ask for U.S. Harness Writers Association special rate at the Ft. Lauderdale Marriott North for the weekend of February 25 thru February 27, 201. Here is additional contact information for the Fort Lauderdale Marriott North: the hotel is located at 6650 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309, and can also be reached by dialing (954) 771-0440. We continue to work on a possible Directors function at the Isle Pompano Casino.

Please make your reservations soon for Florida to avoid any last minute confusion. 

Truly yours and be well
Jason M. Settlemoir
President-USHWA

Click here to view some photos submitted by attendees of this great event. These files will be updated if any more pictures are forwarded to us. Enjoy the memories!

On America’s birthday, the Harness Racing Hall of Fame welcomed its latest class in Goshen, New York, with fireworks accentuating the close of the evening, just after dark.Bunny Lake and Varenne were inducted into the Living Horse Hall of Fame, with crystal discs celebrating the occasion presented to their connections, Wendy Spring for Bunny Lake and Francesco Ruffo for Varenne. Anne Zweig accepted Immortal Hall of Fame honors for her late husband Dr. Harry Zweig, pioneer of the New York Sire Stakes, and Garrett Hermanson accepted for the late breeder Alden Goldsmith.

Brittany Farm Manager Art Zubrod recalled the day that Three Diamonds, an honoree as an Immortal, died at the farm.

“She was just a classy mare, always so easy to work with, we all loved her. We buried her at the farm, she was the first horse in our cemetery. The girls at the farm had put white roses in the grave with her and I gave the go ahead to the guy working the backhoe to cover her up. I looked up and this guy had tears running down his face.”

Maine’s Todd Whitney accepted honors as the amateur driver who has contributed the most to the Harness Racing Museum through donation of his driving commissions. Sculptor Bev Lopez’s 50 years of creating the statuettes of the Hall of Famers was honored with the presentation of the Museum’s Pinnacle Award.

Hanover Shoe Farm Publicity Director Murray Brown and Jim Moran were inducted into the Communicator’s Corner of the Hall of Fame.

Brown evoked his rough and tumble childhood in his acceptance speech.

“I’m living a dream,” he said. “When I first discovered harness racing, I was about 18 years old and most of my time was devoted to playing cards and getting in trouble. Harness racing pretty much saved me. My dream was to go to Hanover Shoe Farms -- to me, Hanover Shoe Farms is what harness racing was about.”

Brown concluded by paraphrasing vintner Robert Mondavi.

“A man who is passionate about what he does will never work a day in his life,” he said. “And I’ve never worked a day in my life.”

Jim Moran, announcer and publicity director at Vernon Downs for nearly 50 years, reflected his affection for the people in the sport in his life’s work.

“During my rewarding career, I have simply tried to convey to the media and fans and others the same admiration and appreciation that I’ve felt for this great sport and its gifted performers,” he said. “Realizing that my efforts on behalf of Vernon Downs these past 48 years have been deemed worthy of Hall of Fame merit by the people I have worked with, respected and admired makes me very appreciative and proud.” 

The evening concluded with acceptance speeches by the living Hall of Famers, Hal Jones and Dave Palone. 

“I’m probably the luckiest guy here,” said Jones, whose pioneering work in artificial insemination caused a sea change in improved health conditions for mares, stallions and foals and the ability to quickly proliferate improved bloodlines throughout the breed.

“I’ve been at the right place at the right time, one time after another,” he said, after acknowledging that marrying his wife of 60 years, Marie was, “the best move I ever made. She could cook, she could clean and she could always tell if a foal was a little off.”

Dave Palone, one of the few Hall of Fame drivers not to grow up in the sport, recalled a childhood experience at the Meadows’ marquee event.

“I remember Dad taking me to my first Adios when Armbro Ranger and Joe O’Brien beat Keystone Ore and Stanley Dancer. I think they thought it was something I’d get tired of. My dad bought me my first horse and mom helped me design my colors. Mom and Dad, I’m thrilled you could share this moment with me.”

Palone concluded by recalling his comeback after a serious femur fracture and asking those in attendance to remember some of his colleagues who are currently recovering from serious injuries.

“Richie Silverman, Daniel Dube, Aaron Merriman and now Marcus Johansson, please, drop them an e-mail or send them a note,” he asked. “I’ve been there, I know how much it means. John Campbell did it for me and he showed me that he’s not just a great driver, he’s a great person, too.”

                            (Story by Ellen Harvey-Photos by Mark Hall)

Jim Simpson, chief executive officer of the world-famous Hanover Shoe Farms and a player in many of harness racing’s major current projects, and Walter Russell, son of Hall of Fame horseman Sanders Russell who earned respect throughout the racing industry for the professional standards he set as a judge, have been selected to appear on the final voting ballot for entrance into the Living Hall of Fame.

The selections of Simpson and Russell were made by the Hall of Fame Screening Committee of the U.S. Harness Writers Association, from nominations by USHWA chapters, in conjunction with an Advisory Committee of Hall of Famers who are trustees of the Hall and Harness Racing Museum. The groups met this past weekend in Goshen NY, during the weekend of ceremonies honoring this year’s entrants to the Hall – notably Hal Jones, Dave Palone, and Communicators Murray Brown and
Jim Moran.

It must be stressed, due to prior confusion, that Simpson and Russell are NOT automatically Living Hall of Famers by being placed on the ballot. They, along with Communicators Corner nominees Gary Seibel and the late Joe Hartmann, must get 75% of the yes-no votes of the members of USHWA in an election to be conducted next month; previously-named Hall of Famers also have a vote in their category.

Simpson, son of Hall of Famer John Simpson Sr. and brother of Hall of Famer John Simpson Jr., has certainly carved out his own niche of distinction after trading a seat in the sulky, where he trained and drove world champions, for full-time work overseeing the vast Hanover empire. Hanover has been the #1 breeder in harness racing since statistics were begun to be kept, a tradition Jim Simpson has helped keep going by wise acquisition of top broodmares and some of the sport’s best stallions; Simpson also lends his expertise to the board of the Hambletonian Society, a meeting of which he has not missed in 17 ½ years, and to racing matters in his home state of Pennsylvania, which has been the recent talk of the industry through revitalization by alternative gaming, a revival Simpson both helped formulate and on which he is still an important advisor.

“Judge” Russell may have been the man Teddy Roosevelt was thinking of when he said “Speak softly, but carry a big stick.” An erudite Ph.D. in American Literature and a knowledgeable discusser of most any topic under the sun, Russell’s particular genius was his ability to have carefully thought out positions, yet be able to clearly convey them, in modulated tones backed by an iron will, to the horsemen who raced under him, and with a urgent sense of no mercy shown for violators. Meticulous in the judges stand and a hawk of attention during hearings (to store away information for future situations), Russell had the respect of all the giants among his peers, including Jim Lynch
(a Hall of Famer) and Milt Taylor.

As noted, the balloting for this quartet will take place during August, and the results announced in early to mid-September. Should they be successful, the new Hall Of Famers will be formally inducted into the Hall on the first Sunday in July of 2011.

You will notice a new link has been created on the left menu bar. It will take you to a page with all the information that was compiled at the National meeting at Yonkers earlier this year. Please click here to check out the files.

Take a minute to log onto www.clydehirtworkshop.com and see the wonderful work some of our fellow USHWAn's are doing to promote youth in harness racing media. This year is the 8th annual workshop and it will be held on Aug. 4-7, 2010.  

Interested college students involved in sports media can attend the workshop to cover the most prestigious horse race, the Hambletonian, network with professional journalists and build their portfolio. Ken Weingartner has built the site and is the contact person for the workshop. If you can help them in any way, please let them know.

The United States Harness Writers Association is a group of more than 250 members committed to the chronicling of harness racing through the print and electronic media. It was founded in 1947 by New York City area sportswriters who were covering harness racing at Roosevelt Raceway. It remains the only media organization in harness racing with a membership of newspaper, magazine, radio and TV, ad agency, publicists and others involved in racing communications. With more than 250 members, most of them allied to one of 12 regional chapters, the association strives to bring about a closer relationship among the media, racetracks and horsemen to promote a centuries-old American-bred sport.

USHWA members, in annual voting, choose harness racing's most prestigious awards like the Living Hall of Fame and the Horse-of-the-Year. Its Proximity Achievement Award is one of the sports most cherished honors. It also recognizes top divisional winners and leading drivers and trainers at its annual awards dinner, which began in 1948.
 
The association is governed by a member board of directors, which represents the chapters and at large members (those living or working in regions where there is no chapter). Also serving are seven national officers and all past presidents.

USHWA works with the united States Trotting Association in the Horse of the Year balloting. USHWA also presents the John Hervey Awards for excellence in writing and broadcasting. Its members choose Hall of Famers, so the association also works closely with The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame at Goshen, New York.

Many chapters hold annual awards or recognition dinners to salute the leading horses and drivers in their areas. Some chapters also raise money for local charities.

                                Contact USHWA at ushwa@paonline.com

                     Direct questions or comments to webmaster@ushwa.org