The Hamiltonian Horse Race

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For many horse enthusiasts, springtime signals the start of horse racing season. Spectators and gamblers flock to the Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY to watch the first race of the exciting Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing. This year, why not check out a smaller, equally passionate set of competitors... standardbred harness racers! Standardbred harness racing may not be as familiar to many, but the sport is packed with just as many thrills and triumphs. We had the chance to speak with breeder, trainer, and race driver, Donna Herriott to learn about her lifetime working with these horses. We’ll show you why harness racing can be just as exciting and even more accessible to the racing enthusiast. Plus, you’ll get to learn a bit about the quality traits of the standardbred breed.

No race meetings today. Situated south of Glasgow in the town of Hamilton the racecourse is a flat racing venue and it has played host to horse racing since 1782. It is a right-handed undulating track that has recently seen a major refurbishment. As with other racecourses the venue is keen to diversify from just horse racing and has become. Hambletonian Stakes, also called Hambletonian Trot, annual American horse race for three-year-old trotters, one of harness racing ’s most widely known events. The Hambletonian was first held in 1926 at Syracuse, New York. It was later moved to Goshen, New York, in 1957 to Du Quoin, Illinois, and in 1981 to Meadowlands (New Jersey) Racetrack. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators.

The Hamiltonian Horse Race

Donna’s Introduction to Harness Racing

Donna Herriott hails from Delaware, Ohio, where she grew up showing horses in 4-H. This is the home of the Little Brown Jug, a famous pacing race for harness horses. She was introduced to the world of harness racing through her father-in-law, who owned a racing farm. Before long, a tough 2-year-old colt frustrated the regular trainer and Donna volunteered to take over his training. He thrived under Donna’s hand and ended up being a very nice racer. More importantly… Donna had taken her first step as a trainer.

Over time, Donna grew in her training skills and ended up working for several trainers before she started her own stable. She certainly didn’t coast through her work. She chuckled, “I always got people’s bad horses, the ones they didn’t’ want to mess with. I always got the ones where I was their last chance.” One of these “problem child” horses was a mare named Shady Daisy, who Donna started in a harness for the first time. This mare went on to become the first “millionaire” pacing mare and even had a race named after her. “She was a heck of a mare!” Donna exclaimed.

Watch a video of the great pacing mare Shady Daisy racing here.

Eventually, Donna was given the opportunity to breed her own harness racing horse named I Feel Lucky Today. “She was my first ever foal that I raised. I had yearlings given to me that I trained, but Lucky was my first foal that I raised.”As opposed to hand selecting a horse from an auction or sale, she emphasized the difference of breeding your own horse. “When you raise your baby, you’re stuck with what you get… And Lucky was crazy.” For instance, Donna explained that she would accept the bridle only if she had her nose on the ground. “If I didn’t own her, I would have told the owner that she had enough problems that she wasn’t meant for racing, but since she was mine, I just worked with her…She was just a horrible-horrible horse to jog on the track…just horrible!”

Fortunately, Lucky’s quirks didn’t cause an issue on race day. Donna shared that on race day, “ You couldn’t ask for a better horse. She knew what her job was. That was her calling. She loved it.”

Donna and her horse Lucky compete in a race.

Going Fast When A Gallop is Forbidden

As the name implies, harness racing horses are harnessed into a cart or ‘sulky’ where the driver sits behind the horses. These horses will either race in the trot or pace gait, with different races for each. For those who are unfamiliar, the pace is similar to a trot in that it’s a 2 beat gait but the right foreleg and hind leg strike the ground simultaneously, followed by the left foreleg and hind leg. Horses who compete in trotting races tend to present faster times and earn more money overall.

Harness horses are not allowed to ‘break’ or start galloping during a race. If they break into the canter, then need to be taken to the outside of the track until then resume the trot and pace where they can then rejoin the race. So how do you train a horse to never break into the forbidden gallop? She explained, “They are bred for either pacing or trotting, although pacers trot of course. Trotters, you can get them to pace, but trotters make more money, so that’s what you want them to do.” She would jog with her horses starting at half a mile and building them up until they are trotting 5 miles at a relaxed trot. She would increase the distance until they are going 5 miles at a relaxed trot and then start ‘brushing’ the horse, or asking for a quick burst of speed.

Watch this video to see what it’s like to be in the driver’s seat!

Donna continued, “Once the horse has about 500 miles in them, you start turning them so they are going the direction of the race.” Most of the training is done in the clockwise direction with actual races done in the counter clockwise direction. “They know that when they’re going the other way, it’s race time.” First Donna would try to go a mile in 3 minutes. Then, she might bring it down 5 seconds without her horses trying to break into the canter. She explained that you need to build up their speed and confidence while always working them with a training buddy. Another thing that helps them trot and not gallop is having them shod correctly and training them to hold their head correctly for balance. Ultimately, a good trotting horse can do a mile under 2:00 minutes or even at 1:55.

Once their training is complete, harness racing horses typically race once a week. Lucky’s race career as a trotter was mainly during the winter months. “Lucky had a problem called ‘tying up’, so she liked racing in the winter better.” Horses may race like this for 6-7 weeks and then need a break. “Mainly, Lucky raced in ‘over-nighters’. This is where you go to the track at night and race in a condition race.” This allowed Donna and Lucky to face specific groups of horses like non-winners from certain race types. Lucky competed at several raceways including the Lebanon Raceway, but also at smaller fair races. Donna said, “I liked to drive her so I raced her in fairs.” Of Lucky’s 40 starts, she won 18 races.

Donna emphasized that not just any horse can be a racing horse. “You can’t make them go fast. They have to want to do it.” For Donna and Lucky, their proudest moment in racing came in January of 1998 when they won the open trot race. “She won the Open Trot 72 days after she had colic surgery. So for her to survive the surgery and then come back and race 72 days later…I was ecstatic with that. That’s nothing to anyone else, but it meant the world to me because she was on her death bed.” Fortunately, Lucky rebounded quickly from her illness, won this race, and then continued on to live a happy life.

Life after Racing

After Lucky’s racing career was over, she was put out to pasture, yet Donna sensed that she wasn’t happy with her sedentary lifestyle. “I had no intentions of riding her but she would stood at the gate and watch the house. She wouldn’t go eat. She wouldn’t go out with the other horses…so we put a saddle on her!” Now, 17 years later. Lucky has turned into a fantastic under saddle horse for Donna and her granddaughter, Lilly. “She needed something to do. Being a pasture ornament wasn’t doing it for her.”

Past Hambletonian Winners

Donna’s granddaughter shows Lucky in several types of classes.

Today, Lucky is 23 years old, and like many standardbreds is extremely gentle with children and has great ground manners. “Most standardbreds are that way.” Lucky has been a great horse for Donna’s granddaughter. They recently won the Reserve High Point Youth Rider award in their local show circuit. It was clear that Donna truly loves the breed. “What I love about the standardbred horse is their willingness to work. They have a great work ethic. They want to please you.” She concluded, “Standardbreds are a jack of all trades and a master of one.”

Why Should You Check Out Harness Racing?

Donna absolutely loves harness racing as a sport and enjoys the accessibility of a sport. Not just anyone can take their thoroughbred to the races, but with harness racing, the average person can drive their horse in races. Imagine getting the chance to experience the thrill of racing with your horse! “You can’t ride your thoroughbred racehorse, but you can sit behind your standardbred and drive it!” explained Donna. You can apply for various types of driving licenses based on the level of race you’d like to enter. The Triple Crown of harness racing for trotters includes the famous Hamiltonian race at Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey, the Yonker’s Trot at the Yonker’s Raceway in New York, and the Kentucky Futurity in The Red Mile Raceway in Kentucky.

“Harness racing is exciting, the close contact of the horses when you’re in the race going up to the gate is a thrill,” Donna explained. “The horses try so hard. They know what they’re doing. They want to beat the other horses.” When asked what she loves, Donna replied, “The beauty of it… the bravery of the horses… the urge to run… how they keep their gait is admirable to me.” Another benefit of harness racing is the cost. It is much less expensive than thoroughbred racing. Best of all, YOU can drive in an amateur race. “I got my license went I was 38 years old!” Donna continued, “If you want to experience what it’s like to be in a race, you can do that with your standardbred!”

17 years after her racing career ended, Lucky has continued to be a faithful companion for Donna.

Horse Trailers for Sale That Can Fit Your Cart or Carriage

The Hamiltonian Horse Race

Donna used a 2H trailer to transport her horses and equipment. “It was pretty much a rust bucket,” she chuckled. For standardbreds, it is important that the trailer has enough height. “They need to be a little taller,” Donna explained. “They like them a little roomier than most trailers.”

If you have a horse with a cart, Double D Trailers can design unique options to meet your needs. Brad Heath explained that he has worked with several clients who needed to fit their cart or larger carriage directly in the trailer. This blue print shows just one example of the many horse trailers for sale from Double D Trailers.

Past hambletonian winners

This is a trailer design from Double D Trailers that leaves space in the front for a cart.

Horse

The standardbred is a breed that shows true heart on the raceway and is a loving companion for their owners. Check out the US Trotting Association to learn more about he sport, regulations, and history. Next time you’re looking for a unique and exciting experience, check out your local harness racing track. You never know, maybe this will ignite your racing spirit and lead to YOU behind the reins of a standardbred harness racer!

Questions:

Hamiltonian
  • Have you had the opportunity to be a spectator or driver at a harness race? What did you think of the experience?
  • Can you share more stories about standardbreds as a breed?
Hambletonian Stakes
Triple Crown race
LocationMeadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, New Jersey,
United States
Inaugurated1926
Race typeHarness race for standardbred trotters
Websitewww.hambletonian.org/index.html
Race information
Distance1,609 meters (1 mile)
SurfaceDirt
Qualification3yo
Purse$1,000,000 (2015)

The Hambletonian Stakes is a major American harness race, named in honor of Hambletonian 10, a foundation sire of the Standardbred horse breed, also known as the 'Father of the American Trotter.' The Hambletonian is held annually for three-year-old trotting Standardbreds. It is the first event in the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Trotters. The Hambletonian is run at Meadowlands Racetrack (New Jersey) on the first Saturday in August.[1]

Sites[edit]

The Hambletonian first took place at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY in 1926. The race switched from Syracuse to Lexington, KY for the 1927 and 1929 races, however, because of rainouts. Starting in 1930, Good Time Park in Goshen, NY hosted the race until 1956 with the exception of 1943. That year, The Hambletonian was raced at Empire City Race Track, which became Yonkers Raceway in 1950, because of wartime gas rationing. The Du Quoin State Fair in Du Quoin, IL gained the rights to host the race in 1957 and held on to it until 1980. Since 1981, the race has been at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, NJ

The Hamiltonian Horse Race

Records[edit]

Most wins by a driver
  • 6 – John Campbell (1987, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2006)
Most wins by a trainer
  • 5 – Billy Haughton (1974, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1982)

Ben White (1927, 1933, 1936, 1942, 1943)

Stanley Dancer (1965, 1968, 1972, 1975, 1983)

Stakes record
  • 1:50 1/5 – Muscle Hill (2009)

Hambletonian Results

Hambletonian Stakes winners[edit]

Year
Winner
Driver
Trainer
Owner
Time
Purse
2020Ramona HillAndy McCarthyTony AlagnaBrad Grant, Crawford Farms, Robert Leblanc & In The Gym Partners1:50 1/5$1,000,000
2019Forbidden TradeBob McClureLuc BlaisSerge Godin & Distinction Capital1:51 0/5$1,000,000
2018AtlantaScott ZeronRick ZeronRick Zeron, Crawford Fms, Holland1:50 4/5$1,000,000
2017Perfect SpiritÅke SvanstedtÅke SvanstedtSrf Stable,Delray Beach,FL1:50 3/5$1,000,000
2016Marion MarauderScott ZeronPaula WellwoodJean Wellwood, Devin Keeler1:51 4/5$1,000,000
2015PinkmanBrian SearsJimmy TakterChristina Takter, John & Jim Fielding, Joyce McClelland, Herb Liverman1:51 0/5$1,000,000
2014TrixtonJimmy TakterJimmy TakterBrixton Medical Ab (Bengt Agerup) & Christina Takter1:50 3/5$1,006,125
2013Royalty For LifeBrian SearsGeorge DucharmeAl Ross, Chip Campbell, Jr., Paul Fountaine1:52 1/5$1,000,000
2012Market ShareTim TetrickLinda ToscanoRichard S. Gutnick, T L P Stable, William J. Augustine1:52 1/5$1,500,000
2011Broad BahnGeorge BrennanNoel DaleyFam Alber Horse Racing LLC (Leif Alber)1:53 0/0$1,500,000
2010Muscle MassiveRonald PierceJimmy TakterBrixton Medical Ab (Bengt Agerup), Order By Stable (Stefan Balazsi), et al.1:51 0/0$1,500,000
2009Muscle HillBrian SearsGregory B. PeckTLP Stable, Jerry Silva, Southwind Farm, Muscle Hill Racing LLC1:50 1/5$1,520,333
2008DeweycheatumnhoweRay SchnittkerRay SchnittkerSchnittker, Iannazzo, Gewertz, Baldassare & Deweycheatumnhowe Stable1:52 0/0$1,500,000
2007Donato HanoverRonald PierceSteve Elliott(Lessees) Steve Arnold, David Scharf, Golden Touch Stables1:53 2/5$1,500,000
2006GlidemasterJohn CampbellBlair BurgessRobert Burgess, Karin-Olsson Burgess, Marsha Cohen, Brittany Farms1:51 1/5$1,500,000
2005Vivid PhotoRoger HammerRoger HammerRoger Hammer, Todd Schadel1:52 3/5$1,500,000
2004Windsong's LegacyTrond SmedshammerTrond SmedshammerAnn Brannvoll, Ted Gewertz, Patricia Spinelli1:54 1/5$1,000,000
2003Amigo HallMichel LachanceBlair BurgessWalnut Hall Limited (Alan J. Leavitt), Robert Burgess, Karin Olsson-Burgess1:54 0/0$1,000,000
2002Chip Chip HoorayEric LedfordCharles SylvesterC. Sylvester, M. Prakas, Wingedfoot Farms, N. Goldman1:53 3/5$1,000,000
2001Scarlet KnightStefan MelanderStefan MelanderStefan Melander1:53 4/5$1,000,000
2000Yankee PacoTrevor RitchieDouglas McIntoshHarry Ivey & Dr. Tom Ivey1:53 2/5$1,000,000
1999Self PossessedMichel LachanceRon GurfeinSelf Possessed Stable (D. Scharf, J. Silva, L. Domiano, G. Segal)1:51 3/5$1,000,000
1998Muscles YankeeJohn CampbellCharles SylvesterPerretti Farms Inc, Irving G. Liverman & David French1:52 2/5$1,000,000
1997Malabar ManMalvern C. BurroughsJimmy TakterMalvern C. Burroughs1:55 0/0$1,000,000
1996ContinentalvictoryMichel LachanceRon GurfeinContinentalvictory Stable1:52 1/5$1,200,000
1995TagliabueJohn CampbellJim CampbellArlene & Jules J. Siegel1:54 4/5$1,200,000
1994Victory DreamMichel LachanceRon GurfeinFA Stable (Frank Antonacci) & Victory Dream Stable (Alan J. Leavitt, et al.)1:54 1/5$1,200,000
1993American WinnerRonald PierceMilton SmithRobert Key, John Glesmann1:53 1/5$1,200,000
1992Alf PalemaMickey McNicholPer ErikssonKarl-Erik Bender, Per Eriksson1:56 2/5$1,288,000
1991Giant VictoryJack MoiseyevPer ErikssonJacqueline & Theodore Gewertz, Robins Racing Stable1:54 4/5$1,238,000
1990HarmoniousJohn CampbellOsvaldo FormiaLindy Racing Stable, Sal Garofalo1:54 1/5$1,346,000
1989Park Avenue Joe (DH)Ron WaplesCharles SylvesterPark Avenue Stable2:00 2/5$1,131,000
1989Probe (DH)William FahyOsvaldo FormiaLindy Farms2:00 2/5
1988Armbro GoalJohn CampbellJan JohnsonJames R. Plate, Paul H. Ryan, Michael V. Caggiano1:54 3/5$1,156,800
1987Mack LobellJohn CampbellCharles SylvesterOne More Time Stable (Louis P. Guida, et al.) & Fair Winds Farm (E. Mullen)1:53 3/5$1,046,300
1986Nuclear KosmosUlf ThoresenPer HenriksenLilla Henriksen, Geo. & Gary Hoffman, Stephen Sullivan1:55 2/5$1,172,082
1985PrakasBill O'DonnellPer ErikssonHans G. Enggren, Iain L. Mackenzie, Carl J. Vizzi1:54 3/5$1,272,000
1984Historic FreightBen WebsterSamuel 'Skip' LewisABC Stables, Inc.1:56 2/5$1,219,000
1983DuennaStanley DancerStanley DancerClearview Stable1:57 2/5$1,000,000
1982Speed BowlTommy HaughtonBilly HaughtonPony Stable (B. Haughton, D. Miller, P. Soldner, F. Miller, M. Hempt, B. Brown)1:56 4/5$875,750
1981Shiaway St. PatRay RemmenRay RemmenShiawassee Farm, Inc.2:01 1/5$838,000
1980BurgomeisterBilly HaughtonBilly HaughtonPeter Haughton1:56 3/5$293,570
1979Legend HanoverGeorge SholtyRay TrippMessenger Stable (Raymond Galt)1:56 1/5$300,000
1978Speedy SomolliHoward BeissingerHoward BeissingerAnn Beissinger, Barbara Mumma, Alan J. Leavitt, William Rosenberg1:55 0/0$241,280
1977Green SpeedBilly HaughtonBilly HaughtonBeverly Lloyds1:55 3/5$284,310
1976Steve LobellBilly HaughtonBilly HaughtonMill Island Stable (Richard Herman & Murray Siegel)1:56 2/5$263,524
1975BonefishStanley DancerStanley DancerStanley F. & Rachel L. Dancer & A. M. Cuddy Stable1:59 0/0$232,192
1974Christopher T.Billy HaughtonBilly HaughtonJohn L. Thro1:58 3/5$160,150
1973FlirthRalph N. BaldwinRalph N. BaldwinArden Homestead Stable (E. Roland Harriman & Elbridge T. Gerry, Sr.)1:57 1/5$144,710
1972Super BowlStanley DancerStanley DancerRachel L. Dancer, Rose Hild Breeding Farm1:56 2/5$119,090
1971Speedy CrownHoward BeissingerHoward BeissingerCrown Stable, Inc. (Frank & Thomas Antonacci)1:57 2/5$129,770
1970Timothy T.John F. Simpson, Jr.John F. Simpson, Sr.John F. Simpson, Sr.1:58 2/5$143,630
1969Lindy's PrideHoward BeissingerHoward BeissingerLindy Farm, Inc.1:57 3/5$124,910
1968Nevele PrideStanley DancerStanley DancerNevele Acres, Louis Resnick1:59 2/5$116,190
1967Speedy StreakDel CameronFrank ErvinClarence F. Gaines, John R. Gaines, Kenneth D. Owen2:00 0/0$122,650
1966Kerry WayFrank ErvinFrank ErvinGainesway Farm1:58 4/5$122,540
1965Egyptian CandorDel CameronStanley DancerRachel L. Dancer2:03 4/5$122,245
1964AyresJohn F. Simpson, Sr.John F. Simpson, Sr.Charlotte Sheppard1:56 4/5$115,281
1963Speedy ScottRalph N. BaldwinRalph N. BaldwinCastleton Farm1:57 3/5$115,549
1962A. C.'s VikingSanders RussellSanders RussellMr. & Mrs. Andrew C. Petersen1:59 3/5$116,612
1961Harlan DeanJimmy ArthurDelvin MillerMax C. Hempt, Delvin Miller, Ray Cleveland1:58 2/5$131,573
1960Blaze HanoverJoe O'BrienJoe O'BrienS. A. Camp Farms1:59 3/5$147,481
1959Diller HanoverFrank ErvinRalph N. BaldwinHall Stables (Howard M. Hall)2:01 1/5$125,283
1958Emily's PrideFlave NipeFred EganCastleton Farm & Walnut Hall Farm1:59 4/5$106,719
1957Hickory SmokeJohn F. Simpson, Sr.John F. Simpson, Sr.Lawrence B. Sheppard & Archie Mudge2:00 1/5$111,126
1956The IntruderNed BowerNed BowerAllwood Stable2:01 2/5$100,603
1955Scott FrostJoe O'BrienJoe O'BrienS. A. Camp Farms2:00 3/5$86,863
1954Newport DreamDel CameronDel CameronOctave Blake2:02 4/5$106,830
1953HelicopterHarry M. HarveyDelvin MillerArmstrong Bros.2:01 3/5$117,117
1952Sharp NoteBion ShivelyBion ShivelyClyde W. Clark2:02 3/5$87,637
1951MainlinerGuy CrippenGuy CrippenRalph H. Kroening2:02 3/5$95,263
1950Lusty SongDelvin MillerFay FitzpatrickHayes Fair Acres2:02 0/0$75,209
1949Miss TillyFred EganFred EganCharles W. Phellis2:01 2/5$69,791
1948Demon HanoverHarrison R. HoytHarrison R. HoytMr. & Mrs. Harrison R. Hoyt2:02 0/0$59,941
1947Hoot MonScepter F. PalinScepter F. PalinCastleton Farm2:00 0/0$46,267
1946ChestertownThomas S. BerryHarry P. WhitneyWalter E. Smith2:02 1/2$50,995
1945Titan HanoverHarry E. Pownall, Sr.Harry E. Pownall, Sr.Arden Homestead Stable (E. R. Harriman & E. T. Gerry, Sr.)2:04 0/0$50,196
1944Yankee MaidHenry ThomasHenry ThomasArch L. Derby2:04 0/0$33,577
1943Volo SongBenjamin WhiteBenjamin WhiteWilliam H. Strang, Jr.2:02 1/2$42,298
1942The AmbassadorBenjamin WhiteBenjamin WhiteWilliam H. Strang, Jr.2:04 0/0$38,954
1941Bill GallonLee SmithLee SmithR. Horace Johnston2:05 0/0$38,729
1940Spencer ScottFred EganFred EganCharles W. Phellis2:02 0/0$43,658
1939Peter AstraHugh M. 'Doc' ParshallHugh M. 'Doc' ParshallDr. Lowry M. Guilinger2:04 1/4$40,502
1938Mc LinHenry ThomasHenry ThomasHanover Shoe Farms2:02 1/4$37,962
1937Shirley HanoverHenry ThomasHenry ThomasHanover Shoe Farms2:01 1/2$37,912
1936RosalindBenjamin WhiteBenjamin WhiteGib White2:01 3/4$35,643
1935GreyhoundScepter F. PalinScepter F. PalinEdward J. Baker2:02 1/4$33,321
1934Lord JimHugh M. 'Doc' ParshallHugh M. 'Doc' ParshallEarl L. Mefford2:02 3/4$25,845
1933Mary ReynoldsBenjamin WhiteBenjamin WhiteWilliam N. Reynolds2:03 3/4$40,459
1932The MarchionessWilliam CatonWilliam CatonMrs. Ralph Keeler2:01 1/4$49,489
1931Calumet ButlerRichard D. McMahonRichard D. McMahonCalumet Farm2:03 1/4$50,921
1930Hanover's BerthaTom BerryTom BerryHanover Shoe Farms2:03 0/0$56,859
1929Walter DearWalter CoxWalter CoxWilliam H. Cane2:02 3/4$60,309
1928SpencerWilliam H. LeeseWilliam H. LeeseDavid M. Look2:02 1/2$66,226
1927Iosola's WorthyMarvin ChildsBenjamin WhiteE. J. Merkle2:03 3/4$54,694
1926Guy McKinneyNathaniel D. RayNathaniel D. RayHenry B. Rea2:04 3/4$73,451

References[edit]

When Is The Hamiltonian Horse Race

  1. ^'The Hambletonian (and Hambletonian Oaks Filly Division)'. hambletonian.org. Retrieved 2009-04-15.

The Hambletonian Horse Race

External links[edit]

Hambletonian Horse

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