Us Harness Racing

DR. OGDEN M. EDWARDS 1962 [1869-1940]

Born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1869, Dr. Edwards was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1896. He was an expert in his field and became a professor of medicine. He married L. V. Harkness' daughter Lela in 1898 and upon Harkness' death, took over the famous Walnut Hall Farm in Donerail, KY. His ambition was to become a trotting horse breeder. For twenty years he worked to improve its stock by selecting top mares and sires. He died December 28, 2022 in Pittsburgh.

WILLIAM EDWARDS 1976 [1835-18981

Col. William Edwards
It was largely due to the efforts of "The Colonel" William Edwards that the Cleveland Driving Park Company was formed in the 1870's. Under his leadership, the company took over the track and equipment of the Cleveland Club in nearby Glenville, giving one or two meets each season for three decades. Edwards was also one of the founders of the Grand Circuit in 1871. The idea for a racing circuit originated in Cleveland in a discussion between Edwards and representatives of three other tracks. Their circuit was called the Quadrilateral Trotting Combination and had its first season in 1873.

Louis Effrat* 1985

FRED EGAN 1960 [1879-1960]

Fred Egan was born in Stuart, IA in 1879. He began as a groom in Denver, CO and came east in 1913 with one horse, Braden Direct, 2:01½ and won all season on the Grand Circuit. He trained a public stable until he went to Lullwater Farm in Georgia to train for Walter T. Candler in the mid1920's. He raced the Lullwater horses for some time, then went with C. W. Phellis and his stable. He won three Hambletonian races with Spencer Scott, Miss Tilly and Emily's Pride. Other horses he made and raced were Hoot Mon, Cassin Hanover, Colby Hanover and Brown Berry. After winning The Kentucky Futurity on October 3, 1957, he retired. He died in 1960 in Orlando, FL.

ELAINE RODNEY t, 1:58.3 1991 [1957- ]

A hardworking race mare if there ever was one, the daughter of Rodney-Honor Bright was a product of the training-driving expertise of Clint Hodgins. She started twenty-four times at two, winning sixteen and placing five times. As a three-year-old she started slowly, but went into The Hambletonian with six straight wins. While she finished out of the money in the classic, she got her revenge in the 1960 Kentucky Futurity, capping her victory with an extraordinary 1:58.3 second heat, the fastest mile ever for a sophomore. Sold to Italian interests, she raced in Europe and later became a topnotch broodmare both in the U.S. and Italy.

ELECTIONEER t 1955 [1868-1890]

Another great sire of the high wheel era, Electioneer was by Hambletonian and Green Mountain Maid. He was bred at the famous Stony Ford Farm, Campbell Hall, NY by Charles Backman in 1868. Though Electioneer never raced and never acquired a record, those "who knew" speed said he could have beaten 2:20 if trained. He was purchased by Leland Stanford in 1877 and headed the Palo Alto Farm in California, which later became the site of Stanford University. As a sire of trotters he begot more 2:20 horses and more record breakers than any horse of his time. He was sire of both world champion Sunol, 2:08¼ and Palo Alto, 2:08¾. He died in California in 1890.

GAGE ELLIS 1977 [1907-1959]

Gage Ellis operation of the Village Farm at Langhorne, PA (not to be confused with C. J. Hamlin's Village Farm, founded earlier at East Aurora, NY) made him one of the most prominent breeders of Standardbred horses in America. Among the sires standing at the Village Farm were Abbedale, Cardinal Prince and His Majesty. One of the original organizers of the USTA in 1938, Ellis was also a director of The Hambletonian Society and The Trotting Horse Club of America. He died in 1959 in Easton, MD at age 52.

EMILY ELLEN t, 2:09¼ 1966 [1907-1945]

Emily Ellen was foaled in 1907; bred by David M. Look of Castleton Farm, she lived to the age of thirty-eight. By coincidence, she was born the day Look's father passed away. It was the elder Look who suggested the mating of her dam, Morning Bells, with Todd, a leading sire of colt speed. A good racehorse for the limited amount of racing she did, Emily Ellen is best remembered as a broodmare. Called the Queen of Castleton", she produced fourteen foals in sixteen years by eight different sires. The world champion Spencer Scott, 1:57¼, is descended from Emily Ellen.

EMILY'S PRIDE 2, 2:06m;3, T1:58 1999 [1955-?]

The daughter of Star's Pride and Emily Scott-Scotland, Emily's Pride was trained by Fred Egan and driven by Flick Nipe. Her lifetime record of 16 wins and 4 seconds in 23 starts included a 1:59.2 heat victory in the 1958 Kentucky Futurity. It was the fastest time ever raced by a 3-year-old filly trotter. Her earnings that year amounted to $118,830.
Emily's Pride won the 1958 Hambletonian Stake. Later that same year her victory over Senator Frost in the Kentucky Futurity took three heats (1:59.1, 1:59.2 and 1:59.4), to accomplish. It was notable for the fact that it was the first race in the history of the sport to be settled with three heats going in better than 2 minutes. After the Grand Circuit meet at Lexington, she went against the clock in 1:58 flat, finishing her outstanding racing season as the world champion 3-year-old trotting filly and the co-champion regardless of sex. For these feats she was named 1958 Horse of the Year and 3-year-old Trotter of the Year.
The day after her Lexington time trial, Emily's Pride was retired to broodmare duties. At the time, she was the fastest trotter in the history of the sport. Her lifetime earnings were $130,751. Her accomplishments continued. Her most outstanding foal was Noble Victory 4,1:55.3m ($522,391). Noble Victory was a standout broodmare sire. His mares produced such outstanding champions as 1984 Horse of the Year Fancy Crown 3,1 :53.4m, 1985 Kentucky Futurity winner Flak Bait 3,1 :55.2m, and world champion and Breeders Crown winner Armbro Devona 3,1:55.3.
Emily's Pride had her last foal in 1970 at Walnut Hall Farm.

FRANK ERVIN 1991 [1904-1991]

Inducted into The Living Hall of Fame in 1968, Frank Ervin's impact on the sport ranged from his triumphs on the track, with numerous champions such as Bret Hanover, Adios, Good Time, Kerry Way and Impish, to his professionalism when dealing with the press, the public and his fellow horsemen. Born August 12, 1904, Ervin was exposed to harness racing early in life, winning his first race at age 16 with Black Diamond at Charleston, IL. By 1949 he was the leading driver on the Grand Circuit. Six years later he was named private trainer for Castleton Farm in Kentucky. He drove Bret Hanover to Horse of the Year honors In three successive years (1964-1966), as well as the Pacing Triple Crown in 1965. Among his long list of stake victories were two Hambletonian's with Diller Hanover and Kerry Way. Frank Ervin died at his home in Winter Park, FL on September 30, 1991. He was 87.

ETHAN ALLEN 1999 [1849-1876]

Ethan Allen was bred by Joel Holcomb, Ticonderoga, NY. His sire was the Morgan horse, Vermont Black Hawk; his dam was out of a mare by Robin, a presumed Morgan. He is listed No.43 in Wallace's registry.
Immortal John Wallace wrote, "of all the horses that have been favorites with the American people, no one has ever approximated the popularity of Ethan Allen." This is also evidenced by the five Currier & Ives lithographs that featured him. He was a bright bay, barely 15 hands tall and, barring a rather crooked hind leg, was one of the most beautifully formed, perfectly gaited and personally attractive horses ever foaled.
His career was long and memorable. In 1853 he set the 4-year-old record of 2:36. In 1858 he became the first horse to trot under 2:30, when he reduced the stallion record to 2:28. The great achievement of his life occurred on June 21, 1867, when, at age eighteen, hitched with a running mate, in 2:15, 2:16 and 2:19, he defeated Dexter to harness, over the Fashion Course. His best harness record was 2:25½ at the Union Course, NY in 1860. In his sixteen year career, at a time when horses raced five and six heats to determine the winner, he won 33 races, 22 to single harness.
At stud Ethan Allen was also one of the best horses of his day. Always popular, his fee at one time was $500. He had six 2:30 performers. In succeeding generations his descendants multiplied with great rapidity and, directly and collaterally, his family became one of the most highly valued strains in existence.
During his lifetime, he passed through numerous hands and finally died, the property of Colonel Amasa Sprague of Providence RI, at the Sprague and Akers Stock Farm, Lawrence, KS, September 10, 1876, aged 27.

Donald P. Evans* 1993

Lawrence T. Evans* 1984

EVENSONG t, 2:08¾ 1957 [1925-1950]

Foaled in 1925, Evensong was by Nelson Dillon out of Taffolet and was bred by James P. Berry of Hartford, CT. She was trained and raced by Will Crozier, but her bad manners made her a poor racehorse, though she took a record at Lexington as a two-year-old. At three she was consigned to the Old Glory Sale and was purchased by Dr. Edwards of Walnut Hall Farm for a mere $300. Soon her fame grew as a broodmare, and her offspring included Peter Song, Twilight Song, Promoter, Leading Man, Volo Song and Victory Song - all champions. Evensong produced 13 foals and died in 1950.

Fan Hanover

Robert G. Farrington 1979

Herve Filion1975

Allen J. Finkelson* 1992

Flat Foot Fluzy 2002 [ - ]

Owned by John Stoddard and Ed Lohmeyer and bred by Lohmeyer and William Simon, all of New Jersey, raced for just one season, earning just under $20,000 as a two-year-old in 1989. A daughter of Direct Scooter and Quinella Blue Chip, Flat Foot Fluzy produced the pacers Pacific Rocket, winner of $2.3 million while racing from 1993 to 95, and the now 3-year-old Pacific Titan, a winner of $507,918.

HARRY FLEMING 1958 [ - ]

Not much is known of the early life and career of Harry Fleming, but he proved himself one of the top trainers and drivers during his years (circa 1918) with the Hillanddale Farm, Mamaroneck, NY, where he trained for Watson B. Dickerman. He took charge of Nedda when she was two and in 1922 at Lexington, KY, drove her to a 1:58¼ trotting record for mares. He won many stakes with her and also was successful with the pacer Russell Boy, 2:00¼. He remained with the farm until after Dickerman's death in 1923, staying on for a while and managing it for Mrs. Dickerman, who owned Nedda.

VIC FLEMING1958 [1887-1955]

Born in Dundas, Ontario, Canada, Vic got his start as a young groom. He raced in Canada for about twenty-five years and came to the U.S., where he was known as the "Dundas kid". His greatest achievement was training and driving Billy Direct to the world pacing record of 1:55. His list of 2:00 performers include Nate Hanover, 1:59, Dusty Hanover, 1:59, Calumet Evelyn, 1:59¼, Grattan Bars, 1:59½ and many others. He retired in 1945 to become an official at Saratoga, where he died in October 1955 at the age of 68.

STOUGHTON A. FLETCHER 1959 [1880-1957]

Stoughton Fletcher was born in 1880 in Indiana where he grew up, attended school and went into business in Indianapolis. Fletcher was at one time one of the most prominent breeders in the country. His farm, Laurel Hall in Indianapolis, was well-known for its good sires, especially Peter The Great, who lived out his last days there. Fletcher died at Saranac Lake, NY in 1957.

FLORA TEMPLE t, 2:19¾ 1955 [1845-c1865]

Foaled in 1845 in Oneida County, NY, and bred by Samuel Welch, she was the daughter of Bogus Hunter and Madam Temple. She had a lowly start in life. Jonathan Vielee purchased her for $175, and when she began to show some speed on the road, hitched to a four-wheel wagon, he made a profit by selling her to George E. Perrin for $350 in 1850. From there she passed on to Perrin's brother John, who sold her to Hiram Woodruff, a top trainer in those days. When Flora Temple had raced her last race in 1861, she had appeared in 108 events, won 92 of them, and raced to wagon in record time of 2:19¾ at Kalamazoo, Michigan, at the age of fourteen. She became a national favorite and her docked tail inspired a famous folk-song refrain "bet my money on the bob-tailed mare". She died at the Erdenheim Stud Farm of Aristides Welch In Philadelphia around 1865.

FLORICAN t, 1:57.2 1976 [1947-1975]

A Spud Hanover-Florimel foal of 1947, Florican was owned by Arden Homestead and spent his stud career at Castleton Farm. He was a world-champion and a major stakes winner at two and three, showing extreme early speed. Among his offspring were such champions as 1973 Hambletonian winner Flirth, Yankee Lass, Desert Wind, Songcan and Florlis. Of his lifetime total of 519 registered foals of racing age in 1975, one-quarter were two-year-old trotting winners. Florican died at Castleton Farm in 1975.

FLYING CLOUD t, 2:04.1 1985 [1964-1983]

The daughter of Florican and Flying Queen, this foal of 1964 was a multiple stakes winner who finished fifth in a heat of the 1967 Hambletonian. Her most impressive achievements came later, as a broodmare. In terms of money won by her offspring, she was the leading American trotting broodmare of all time in 1985, with a total approaching $2 million. Among her "name" offspring are MacArthur, Pershing, Angels Flight, Sealed With A Kiss, Precious Memories, Messerschmitt and Lonely Teardrops.

J. MALCOLM FORBES 1958 [1847-1904]

Forbes was born in Milton, MA, February 2, 2023 of a wealthy Boston family. As a young man he became a famous sportsman, yachtsman and horse-man. In 1890 he purchased Jack, 2:12, for a speedway horse. As his interest grew, he established Forbes Farm and purchased Nancy Hanks for $45,000 and Arion for $125,000. With Arion, Bingen, Nancy Hanks, Peter The Great and others, Forbes Farm became the outstanding stud farm in the east.
Though Forbes never raced a stable, he was an expert on breeding fast horses and was considered one of the five great breeders, along with R. A. Alexander, C. J. Hamlin, Lamon V. Harkness and Leland Stanford, who laid the foundation for the modern harness horse. J. Malcolm Forbes died February 19, 1904.

Leslie P. Ford 1993

FRESH YANKEE 3, 2:00.3; 4, T1:57.1; 1:58 1998 [1963-1991]

A Hickory Pride-Pert Yankee-Titan Hanover foal, Fresh Yankee was bred at Charles Keller's Yankeeland Farm, Frederick, Maryland. She was purchased as a yearling for only $900 by Duncan MacDonald and Dorothy and Richard J. Logue, of Sydney, Nova Scotia. When she retired her lifetime earnings stood at $1,150,530. Known for her fluid gait and outstanding consistency on the track, Fresh Yankee. began her career as a 2-year-old by winning four of her 12 starts, setting records over two tracks. Driven predominantly by Hall of Famer, Joe O'Brien, she was North America's first "million dollar" trotter and second only in the world list to the famous French mare Une de Mai. In 1969 she set a world and season's record for older mares over a 5/8 mile track of 1:59, defeating world champion Nevele Pride. That same year she won the Elitlopp and the Grand Prize of Bavaria. In 1970 she lowered the record at Liberty Bell, trotting in 1:58.4f. Her mile race mark of 1:58 flat was also a world record when taken. She also won the American Classic Trot, the Roosevelt International and the United Nations Trot.
She was the season or world champion for seven consecutive years and retired as the leading money winning American Standardbred of all time. She died at Hempt Farms, Mechanicsburg, PA, on August 9, 2022 at the age of twenty-eight.

Dominic H. Frinzi1996