Horseman David Allen, age 74, passed away on Sunday, February 15 at Saratoga Hospital.
Born on August 14, 1940 in Athol, MA, Allen was the son of the late Rutherford W. and Ellen (Emmett) Allen. The family moved to New York in the 1950s where his father was in the horse transporting business and soon entered the sport of harness racing. David attended Saratoga Central Schools in Saratoga Springs. He began his career jogging horses at the age of 10 along with his brothers, Richard, Arthur, Rutherford Jr., Neil, Jim, Walt and Glenn. Dave joins Jim as the second set of brothers in the Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame. (Brothers Wendell and Wm. Blake are the others). The great Stanley Dancer gave Dave his first job in harness racing at the age of 15. He worked for the Hall of Fame horseman for 13 years and raced the Grand Circuit visiting all the tracks along the east coast. Dave was the groom for Sweet Singer, Pro Hanover and Noble Victory while working for Stanley Dancer. The high point of Dave’s career was taking care of the magnificent Noble Victory – from putting his first harness on, to competing in the Hambletonian and along the way accumulating $522,391 in career earnings in an illustrious three-year career. Noble Victory was Two-Year-Old Trotter of the Year in 1964 and Aged Trotter of the Year in 1966 with $210,969 in career earnings.
Dave returned to Saratoga Raceway from New Jersey’s Egyptian Acres in the spring of 1969. Hinsdale Raceway was the scene of his first driving win in 1970 as he piloted Noble K to victory. Through an outstanding career at Saratoga Raceway that spanned five decades, David Allen conditioned numerous racehorses for clients including Rod McBrien, Shagbark Farms, Robert Rigobello and Jane Kreski. Some of Dave’s favourites include Sharp Harvest, Vicki Lynn Hanover, Ryans Express, Stacked Call, Hollands Song, Brets Holland, Jackie B, Masquerama, Farmer Bob, Champagne Comanche, Cameo Jo and Cameos Shuttle. Champagne Comanche was a $3000 claim that David transformed into an Open Trot winner for owner Robert Rigobello. Champagne Comanche was named 2003 Claiming Trotter of the Year by the Saratoga Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writer’s Association. Dave was inducted into the Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame on June 1, 2008.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred; daughter April Cilione (Joe); sons David (Melody) and Ronald (Chrissy) along with five grandchildren, Ryan (Nicki) Cilione, Tyler, Rachel, Andrew and Ronnie Allen. He is also survived by his brothers Richard W.(Betty), Walter L (Joan) of Saratoga Springs, James R. of Gansevoort, Arthur of Rising Sun, MD; sisters Mildred J. Mallory and Sandra Harrington of Saratoga Springs and Donna (Roger) Mack of Georgia, and several nieces and nephews. Dave also leaves behind many friends of the harness racing world which were all considered family to him.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by siblings Roland A., Marjorie A. Dufore, Beverly M. Ruzycky, Leonard E., Neil G., Rutherford W. Jr., Glenn T. and Wayne D.
The family would like to thank the ICCU medical staff at Saratoga Hospital and a special thanks to Karen, RN, for her kind and caring attention given to the family.
Funeral service has already taken place, and burial will be private at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations in his memory may be made to the Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame, Jefferson Street, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of David Allen.
(Burke Funeral Home)