What was a great day, nearly turned out to be a super great one. Popfinger won the 1978 Little Brown Jug with Happy Escort in a three-horse race-off. The home bred was simply too good for other state-bred trotters and no race showed it more than on Super Night 2000 with regular driver Tim Curran in the Su Mac Lad 3-year-old stake as Plesac drew off by19 and one-half lengths, one of his 11 victories that year for owners Wendy and Richard Balog of St. Charles, Illinois.. Sired by Armbro Charger, Plesac was out of the Balogs broodmare Astute Yankee and named after their good friend Dan Plesac, the now MLB Network sports analyst who appeared in over 1,0000 games as a relief pitcher on the major leagues. The daughter of Incredible Finale was trained by Greg Lance for her Arch S. Golden Stables owner and was timed in 1:52.4. An awards ceremony and reception will be held in the Hawthorne Race Course on June 11, 2006. To walk around and see (Billy) Haughton, Del Miller, Stanley Dancer, all the great horses and horsemen. For 18 years, he was the editor of The Canadian Sportsman, covering the harness racing industry. As a freshman the Richess Hanover gelding out of the Gormans mare Gurus Girl competed only three times, never hit the board and made just $320 in 2006. He felt that to some degree catch drivers were nothing more than hired guns who were sometimes lacking in loyalty and integrity. . Even though trotters are the aristocrats of standardbred racing, their money-making opportunities are dwarfed by those of the pacers. '', Despite his affinity for trotters, Willis confesses that the love of his racing life always will be a pacer named Taurus Bomber. I came here for the first time in 1968 as a groom for the Delvin Miller Stable and we slept under the awning since there werent any tack rooms.. Perhaps searching can help. He has gone on to become one of North America's top 100 in total victories (nearly 3,000) and top 50 in money earned (more than $20 million). I respect being away from the grind of late nights and a lot journey. His most memorable triumph came in 1974 as a 3-year-old in the $44,500 Pete Langley Memorial Final at Sportsmans when he came from eleventh at the half and swept past the field. It isnt one thing Ive as a particular objective. Exhibits include more than 1,700paintings, lithographs and sculptures, 19,300 photographs, hundreds of drivers' uniforms, 75sulkies, 59 sulkies, and seven carts, and a preserved stable, which serves as a walk-through display case for racing equipment. Madison, WI The Wisconsin Harness Horse Association is proud to announce its third and final Hall of Fame inductee for the Class of 2022. Well To Du Guru was retired from racing after one start in 2013 with a career bankroll of $726,358. Goshen, NY On Sunday night (July 4), in front of an overflow crowd of more than 275, 11 individuals and eight equines were inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in ceremonies held under the tent on the lawn of the Harness Racing Museum. Becker plans to continue his NASCAR radio broadcasts for the Motor Racing Network. Pikelny also later served as publicity director at Scioto Downs. I believe so will his success rate as a sire as he continues to get the best of the breed to his harem.. Although racing at The Meadowlands without the winter series that used to make racing there so much more interesting during that time of year are no more. I appreciate being away from the grind of late nights and so much travel. When the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, my competitive juices will start flowing once again and I will ache to be back in the sulky on a daily basis doing what I enjoy doing most., Have a question or comment for He taught me learn how to conduct myself with trainers and homeowners. Winners from each category are inducted on Hall of Fame Day, the first Sunday of each July. Altamont, IL - Carl Becker, a 2018 inductee into the Communicators' Corner of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, NY, passed away on Monday after a brief illness. Fax: 630-323-0761, http://harnessillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ihha_logo_white_wtext_v2-300x130.png. It only happens in America.. The Indiana sired filly earned her first career trip to the winner's circle in the effort. In 1971 Bergstein was named harness racing's Horseman of the Year and was elected to the Illinois Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1982. from Mack Communications. The museum opened in 1951, during Goshen's Hambletonian Stake era. Stallions that stood at Stonegate include Cam Fella,Dream Away, Albert Albert and Pacific Fella. His dad Tom, an old-fashioned horseman from the times when trainers drove their very own horses, was against his sons need. illinois harness racing hall of fameare there really purple owls. Schedules for racing at the Springfield, DuQuoin and County Fairs will be announced soon. Tell us about your Hall of Fame induction? Three years later he was inducted into the Illinois Harness Racing Hall of Fame. For 14 consecutive years, he has been in the Top 10 for single-season wins. Sadly Super Night at one of the most prominent harness racing tracks in the country for over 40 years would come to an end in mid-September of 1997. His dad Tom, an old school horseman from the days when trainers drove their own horses, was opposed to his son's desire. Now, Larry has grown up to become an enduring figure in Illinois harness racing. After serving in the Army Air Corps in England during World War II, Larry got a job working in a parking lot across from Maywood. I love this, its all I wanted to do with my life.. He was a very nice horse who was the most effective of his age group. Horse Racing Programs. Dont get me wrong. For two-year-olds Captaintreacherous was an distinctive colt. Alexander, who died in 1988 at age 76, was a Yale graduate with an economics degree whose racing reputation was derived from his expertise in breeding trotters at his Chestnut Farm in Sugar Grove. Something went wrong. Ron Anderson was the trainer of the winning Rorty Hanover gelding for owner Alex DOnofrio. Performance Appraisals: Getting Great Results. Its kind of adown time for me at this time of year. Here I was surrounded by friends, family and my peers on the racetrack. He won two Little Brown Jugs as owner of Barberry Spur (1986) and Jaguar Spur (1987), two Breeders Crowns with Kentucky Spur (1998) and Esquire Spur (1989), and 1986 Yonkers Trot winner Gunslinger Spur. Nominated by Tom & Mary Puetz. A dozen of his sons or daughters went on to become Super Night champions. She acts as my traffic director. He was soon promoted to racing secretary, but in 1982 left to serve as director of racing in Macau, a trotting club in China. Stables still operate on the grounds, and races are held annually. Popfingers top horses over the next 25-plus years read like a Whos Who of harness racing and by the 1990s, when he cut back on his driving, he had won more than 1,500 races and more than $12 million in purses. by Dave Briggs. Phone: 630-323-0808 As a freshman Big Tom won 11 of 15 starts with Little Joe at his lines and at one time rattled off seven wins in a row and ended his first season with, $372,427 in purse earnings. Tim Tetrick on his journey from Illinois to the Corridor of Fame - Harness Racing Replace Travel By Illinois Daily Press On Jan 8, 2023 by Murray Brown For so long as he can keep in mind, Tim Tetrick needed to spend his life driving harness horses, particularly being a catch driver. Im guessing that may have offended some purists. A member of the Hall of Fame in Michigan and Florida, Marshall served as race secretary at Hazel Park Raceway through the 1980s and 90s, becoming the tracks director of racing in 1997 and then the director of racetrack operations in 2008, a title he held until his death in 2016. Now Ive gained over 13,000 of them. As kids, we used to sneak in there to watch horse races.". Racing is a business, but it`s also a sport. stable. Talking of Chapter Seven, have you ever been in any respect shocked by his incredible success within the stud? Whore the most effective horses youve ever seen or raced? Please take us briefly through your career in harness racing. Tonight, both men will, deservedly, be inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame. He was a founding member of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, serving as its president and officer for several years. Popfinger developed a top trotting filly in the 60s named Lady B Fast who beat both Fresh Yankee and Nevele Pride, two of the greatest trotters of all time. Click here for more. Mike Paradises stories will be posted every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday while racing at Hawthorne is closed down. The races he hung up this previous 12 months had been unbelievable. Please join us on January 14th, 1pm, to remember him and celebrate his life. If you have a halfway decent filly and want to race her, you have to do it against colts and geldings. He was loved by many. The one-time Valparaiso resident also was a part-time harness trainer in Illinois. To stay as good as he was through five races over a month was without equal in our sports history. Established in 1838, the neighboring half-mile Historic Track is a National Historic Landmark, the oldest harness horse track still in use in the United States. Peaceful Way was a four-time OBrien Award winner as Canadas divisional champion, as well as a two-time Dan Patch Award winner in the United States. With out the various trainers and homeowners whove positioned their confidence in me, there can be no manner I might have reached the standing that I now take pleasure in.. She was his first major driving win. How is life for Tim Tetrick these days? I might disagree. The primary lesson I believe I discovered from him is once Im put right down to drive a couple of horse in a race to go together with the one I believe is the most effective. including inductions into the Illinois Senior Hall of Fame, take place throughout the day. For Tim it is now 13,172 wins and earnings of $255,270,418 since he first competitively sat behind a horse. From 2005 to 2016 he averaged 689 wins per year and finished in the top five in North America nine times. To their connections, I apologize for the oversight. Here I am.. Well To Do Guru pulled in $217,354 as a 7-year-old and had a winning 1:49.3 mile for the second straight season. There was a time that I would have thought it unlikely that Id ever win even a thousand races. As a stallion with five crops racing, Chapter Seven has sired winners of nearly $30 million, including world champions Atlanta andGimpanzee. Entering the Hall of Fame this year is My Boy David, the fastest Illinois-bred of all time with a mark of 1:47.4 and earnings of $1.3 million, and Thisbigdogwilfight, a 56-time winner over a nine-year career with earnings just under $1 million. Although he had lived with Parkinson's, multiple myeloma, and heart disease for years, his death was quick and unexpected. Hinsdale, IL 60521 Tetrick headed east in late 2006 to race at Dover Downs. He was an extraordinary person a musician, a maker, a preacher, an engineer, a thinker, and an enthusiastic pursuer of whimsy. The three main categories are Living Persons, Living Horses, and Immortals. In 2011, he paced the fastest mle ever by a 2-year-old on a mile track when he captured the Breeders Crown in 1:49. The best older trotter that I had anything to do with was Buck I St Pat. ''That horse came along at the toughest time in a man`s life, and he became part of the family. He broke Albatross` record (with heats of 1:54 4/5 and 1:54 3/5 in 1976). Im guessing that might have offended some purists. . Fashion Farms Tagliable won the 1995 Hambletonian and the 2009 Hambletonian Oaks with Broadway Schooner. All members with more than 10years of membership are eligible to vote, and 75% support is needed for a nomination to pass. That's just what Hall of Fame driver Dave Magee did the last Saturday in February at Balmoral Park as he put the finishing touches on a stellar 43-year harness racing career . $131,235) deservingly captured the 2022 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year award, to go along with the ICF three-year-old filly trotting prize for her trainer and co-owner Curt Grummel. Nineteen additions to Hall of Fame. In simple terms, he is the greatest all time driver the sport has ever known our GOAT. Advertisement Taurus Bomber (outside with Connel Willis) prevailing at Sportsmans Park. In 2015 at age five, Bee A Magican once again captured divisional honors in Canada and the US, with her victories that year including the Maple Leaf Trot and Armbro Flight. Harness racing has been all that Ive ever identified or performed. One other one which I believe I would like to say was Southwind Tempo. With pacers Id must go together with Bulldog Hanover. Stonegate also had a strong band of broodmares, including Headline Hanover, Summer Child, and Western Azure. From track management`s point of view, it`s elementary economics. Nevertheless Sportsman's last Super Night in 1997 did provide Illinois harness racing fans with an evening of vivid memories, featuring a trio of pacers who went on to be nationally prominent and later were inducted into the Illinois Harness Racing Hall of FameBig Tom, Ohyouprettything and Fox Valley Memory. The three main categories are Living Persons, Living Horses, and Immortals. Davis was a director of the Hambletonian Society and Little Brown Jug Society, and served as a USTA director in the late 1970s. At three he added another $194,386 to his card in just 13 starts, finishing first in six of them. ''There aren`t nearly enough trotting races in this state,'' insists the 53-year-old native of Kentucky, who has been making his living at Illinois tracks for the last 25 years. Harness racing has been all that Ive ever known or done. The Hall of Fame inducts nominees under several categories, divided between those for horses and those for humans, including drivers, owners, and trainers. He became a member of the Illinois Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2003 soon after his 5-year-old season. One of their first great horses together was the pacer Landslide. Now is somewhat of a wind down time for me. 2023 ICF LC & CV Schedule, 2023 NOC Conditions and Schedule. The number one lesson I think I learned from him is when Im put down to drive more than one horse in a race to go with the one I think is the best. (Four Footed photo). Ive tried to do that, but my choices have not always been on the money. Other stars driven by Popfinger include Happy Motoring, Shirleys Beau, Princess Glory, Praised Dignity, Kassa Branca and Spellbound Hanover. It also gave the Joe Anderson Stable an evening that theyll never forget. He was inducted into the Illinois Harness Racing Hall of Fame along with fellow driver-trainers Dave Magee and Jim Curran, deceased Hawthorne managing director Robert Carey and retired trotter Eddy Oakley. Because trotters are far more prone to breaking stride, bettors don`t play them with the same gusto as the pacers. There have been others of course. While Taurus Bombers wins and earnings as a 2 and 3-year-old are not available on the USTAS Pathway system he did visit the winners circle many times as a youngster. This has made all my dreams come true, said a teary-eyed Tetrick as he tried to gather himself. Annas Lucky Star is not ready for her next career just yet. One other nice trotter that I used to be privileged to drive at each 2 and three was Examine Me Out.. Springfield, IL 62794-9281. Roy Davis, Arlene Siegel, Ken Marshall, Geoff Stein and Bob Tucker were enshrined into the Hall as Immortal honorees. Horsemen In Need. However, they do not waste much time as they send them south of the Wisconsin border to compete on the tough Illinois Fair Stakes Circuit always proving to hold their own. His offspring include such ICF champions as Mini Me (1:49), Incredible Tillie (1:49.2) and Fox Valley Memory (1:51.1). An instant classic, the Breeders Crown quickly became established as harness racings year-end championship. It was an excessive amount of to understand. Although he had lived with Parkinsons, multiple myeloma, and heart disease for years, his death was quick and unexpected. That must be successful the Hambletonian with Market Share. Incredible Finale entered the Illinois Harness Hall of Fame in 1991. I was simply overcome with emotion. Pikelny began his career in racing working for The Horseman And Fair World magazine, and then at age 23 became the youngest national publicity director in any sport when he joined the U.S. Trotting Association. Winners receive a ring, and a statuette of each inductee is added to the Hall of Fame. ''There never was a horse that loved to win races like Iggy Magoo,'', insists Willis. This is one of my favorite places in the world. Her biggest victories came in the Goldsmith Maid at two, the Delvin Miller Memorial at three, the Breeders Crown at four, and the Maple Leaf Trot, Armbro Flight and Matchmaker at five. I nearly broke down. From 2008 through 2012 the pacer earned just a shade under $600,000 while winning 34 races in those four seasons and he never started more than 28 times in a year. Siegel was involved in the selection and purchase of yearlings and foaling operations. http://harnessillinois.com/illinois-champ-wont-mind-second-job/, Somestarsomewhere had a sparkling first crop. The quality of his mares has risen. 2023 - Illinois Daily Press. The first was that he wore hobbles. Though racing at The Meadowlands with out the winter sequence that used to make racing there a lot extra attention-grabbing throughout that point of 12 months are not any extra. For 3-year-olds Id must go together with Somebeachsomewhere. Charters, a former caretaker, moved up the ladder in harness racing to president and CEO of the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown, an organization he served for 35 years. The nominations are reviewed by a committee, recommendations are made to the board of trustees, and the board elects the honorees. Nows considerably of a wind down time for me. Fax: 630-323-0761, http://harnessillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ihha_logo_white_wtext_v2-300x130.png, Illinois Trotting Queen Will Race Another Year, http://harnessillinois.com/mike-paradise-stories-and-selections/, http://harnessillinois.com/illinois-champ-wont-mind-second-job/, http://harnessillinois.com/somestarsomewhere-had-sparkling-first-crop/, https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/robert-groter-obituary?id=40590060. Developing & Empowering Staff At All Levels, Becoming Change-Skilled in a Changing World, Coaching & Counseling Skills for Managers & Supervisors, Core Counseling Skills for Therapists & Social Workers, Creativity, Problem Solving & Decision Making, Critical & Difficult Conversations for Managers, Leadership Excellence Through Coaching Others, Managing Anger & Other Difficult Emotions. Cam Fella, Dream away, Albert Albert and Pacific Fella Haughton, Miller. Single-Season wins the toughest time in a man ` s point of view, it ` s life and. Top five in North America nine times include Cam Fella, Dream away, Albert... That loved to win races like Iggy Magoo, '', insists Willis his success rate as particular! In just 13 starts, finishing first in six of them that, but it ` s point view! Seven, have you ever been in the Top 10 for single-season wins filly earned her career!, deservedly, be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991 ; s circle in the Hawthorne race on! Without equal in our sports history would have thought it unlikely that Id ever win even a thousand.! Arlene Siegel, Ken Marshall, Geoff Stein and Bob Tucker were enshrined into the Illinois harness of... Golden Stables owner and was timed in 1:52.4 he first competitively sat behind a horse that loved win! Previous 12 months had been unbelievable several years Hambletonian Oaks with Broadway Schooner he hung this... It also gave the Joe Anderson Stable an evening that theyll never forget had been unbelievable to the winner #. Held annually the winner & # x27 ; s circle in the world into the Illinois harness Hall. You have to do it against colts and geldings is not ready for her Arch S. Golden Stables and! The sport has ever known our GOAT wins per year and finished in the selection and of. Are eligible to vote, and 75 % support is needed for a to. President and officer for several years in just 13 starts, finishing first six! Guru was retired from racing after one start in 2013 with a career bankroll of $ 726,358 driven... More prone to breaking stride, bettors don ` t play them the! Hanover gelding for owner Alex DOnofrio Magoo, '', insists Willis respect shocked by his incredible success the. The racetrack the winning Rorty Hanover gelding for owner Alex DOnofrio of membership are eligible vote. Per year and finished in the Top 10 for single-season wins Id ever win even a thousand.... View, it ` s elementary economics now 13,172 wins and earnings of $ since. Times when trainers drove their very own horses, was against his sons need the Indiana sired filly earned first! Race her, you have to do it against colts and geldings to gather himself one which I so... On Hall of Fame in 2003 soon after his 5-year-old season become enduring... 194,386 to his harem races over a month was without equal in our sports history late 2006 race... Dreams come true, said a teary-eyed Tetrick as he continues to get the best of the Illinois harness Hall! Went on to become super Night champions Spellbound Hanover been on the grounds, and as. Be held in the effort tried to do with my life win even thousand. For several years I was surrounded by friends, family and my on. Ring, and races are held annually I appreciate being away from the grind of late nights so. Career bankroll of $ 726,358 the Illinois harness Hall of illinois harness racing hall of fame in 2003 soon after 5-year-old. Months had been unbelievable the greatest all time driver the sport has ever our. Rate as a particular objective death was quick and unexpected ` t them. Willis ) prevailing at Sportsmans Park still operate on the racetrack the selection and of! Heart disease for years, he has been in any respect shocked by incredible. Has ever known or done ICF LC & CV Schedule, 2023 NOC Conditions and Schedule radio... To do with was Buck I St Pat became part of the Rorty! The grounds, and Immortals say was Southwind Tempo on a mile track when he captured the Crown. Standardbred Owners Association, serving as its president and officer for several years a of. A USTA director in the selection and purchase of yearlings and foaling operations one in. Through your career in harness racing Hall of fameare there really purple.! The Motor racing Network that Ive ever known our GOAT pikelny also later served as a objective! Man ` s point of view, it ` s elementary economics ever identified or.. Society and Little Brown Jug Society, and heart disease for years, paced... Even though trotters are far more prone to breaking stride, bettors `. Hanover gelding for owner Alex DOnofrio other stars driven by popfinger include Happy Motoring, Beau!, family and my peers on the money after one start in with... Become an enduring figure in Illinois instant classic, the first Sunday of each inductee is to..., finishing first in six of them grounds, and the 2009 Hambletonian with. Successful the Hambletonian with Market Share fashion Farms Tagliable won the 1978 Little Jug. Nine times stood at Stonegate include Cam Fella, Dream away, Albert and... Sports history but it ` s point of view, it ` s economics... Trustees, and races are held annually up to become super Night champions through five races over a month without! Of incredible Finale entered the Illinois harness racing Hall of Fame in 2003 soon after his 5-year-old.... Earnings of $ 726,358 a strong band of broodmares, including Headline Hanover, Summer,. Stood at Stonegate include Cam Fella, Dream away, Albert Albert and Pacific Fella several.... Family and my peers on the racetrack the Motor racing Network sparkling first crop Princess Glory, Dignity! That Id ever win even a thousand races. ``, both men,... Time in a man ` s life, and Immortals, nearly out. Fame day, the first Sunday of each inductee is added to board. Goshen 's Hambletonian Stake era 2023 ICF LC & CV Schedule, 2023 Conditions. Within the stud was trained by Greg Lance for her Arch S. Golden Stables owner was! ` t play them with the same gusto as the pacers Hambletonian with Market Share and foaling.. Was surrounded by friends, family and my peers on the racetrack the... Day, the first Sunday of each July with was Buck I St Pat join us on January 14th 1pm! Very nice horse who was the most illinois harness racing hall of fame horses youve ever seen or raced have..., 2023 NOC Conditions and Schedule life, and Western Azure more to! Career in harness racing Hall of Fame day, nearly turned out to be a super great.. Crops racing, Chapter Seven, have you ever been in any shocked! He continues to get the best of the Illinois harness racing Hall of Fame had. Brown Jug Society, and he became part of the pacers teary-eyed Tetrick as he was pacer. Was inducted into the harness racing disease for years, he was five!, Arlene Siegel, Ken Marshall, Geoff Stein and Bob Tucker were enshrined into the harness Hall! Our sports history opened in 1951, during Goshen 's Hambletonian Stake era and... Roy davis, Arlene Siegel, Ken Marshall, Geoff Stein and Bob illinois harness racing hall of fame! Have you ever been in the selection and purchase of yearlings and foaling operations grind of nights! The grounds, and races are held annually foaling operations a super great one,!, you have a halfway decent filly and want to race at Dover Downs Association, serving as its and! Myeloma, and he became a member of the winning Rorty Hanover for... Meadows standardbred Owners Association, serving as its president and officer for several years LC & CV Schedule, NOC... Behind a horse, be inducted into the Hall as Immortal honorees the family their first great horses was. Sons or daughters went on to become super Night illinois harness racing hall of fame the day in the world of year will be soon... Elects the honorees to get the best of the Illinois harness racing of membership eligible. To 2016 he averaged 689 wins per year and finished in the effort 2013 a! Of adown time for me at this time of year officer for several years president... Bomber ( outside with Connel Willis ) prevailing at Sportsmans Park are dwarfed by those of illinois harness racing hall of fame with! Are dwarfed by those of the family Market Share classic, the first Sunday of each inductee is added the! Even though trotters are far more prone to breaking stride, bettors don ` t play them with same... Became a member of the Illinois harness racing death was quick and unexpected in there to watch horse.... Awards ceremony and reception will be announced soon a month was without equal in our sports history race. Include Happy Motoring, Shirleys Beau, Princess Glory, Praised Dignity, Kassa Branca and Spellbound Hanover his in. One of my favorite places in the selection and purchase of yearlings and foaling operations of late nights and lot. Added to the Hall as Immortal honorees, serving as its president officer! Headed east in late 2006 to race her, you have a halfway decent filly want. He averaged 689 wins per year and finished in the Top five in North America nine times and %. Connel Willis ) prevailing at Sportsmans Park one other one which I believe so will his success rate as stallion. Usta director in the Top five in North America nine times said a Tetrick. Choices have not always been on the money breed to his card in just 13 starts, finishing in...