Standardbred horseman Roscoe Rodgers Jr. passed away on Sunday, February 18 at the age of 88.
Rodgers was born April 27, 1929. He was fortunate to be a participant in harness racing, a sport he loved for most of his life. Originally from Ohio, he relocated to the Freehold, N.J. area to establish his own racing stable.
Primarily specializing in the claiming game, he enjoyed claiming low and climbing the ranks. He wanted his horses comfortably in their individual gait.
Upon his marriage to Margaret C. Rodgers, he relocated his stable to Ocean Downs and the Maryland circuit until his retirement. Realizing it’s difficult to retire without the horses, he ‘retired’ to Pompano Beach, Fla., and raced a small stable until 2010, when he truly retired and moved to Prescott Valley, Ariz.
Among his finest memories are being featured on the cover of The Harness Horse with Big A; a plane banner flying over the beach at Ocean City, Md., encouraging fans to come see Calabogie Road at Ocean Downs; and D A Notice winning 11 races in a row.
Rodgers was a man who loved his work, and loved working with others.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Roscoe Rodgers Jr.
(USTA)