Recently published authors Dave Brower and Kim Rinker will be on hand for a book signing and meet-and-greet as part of the Hall Of Fame Day celebrations at the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 5. They will be available at the Museum from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (post time next door at Historic Track) and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. before the induction ceremony.
Dave Brower has been a harness racing fan since his childhood, growing up five minutes from New Jersey’s Meadowlands Racetrack. A graduate of St. John’s University, Brower is currently morning line oddsmaker and track handicapper at the Meadowlands. He also hosts the track’s nightly television show, Racing from the Meadowlands on SportsNet New York. He is also a regular guest on TVG’s Friday-night Drive Time, providing on-site analysis and interviews. His book, Harnessing Winners: The Complete Guide To Handicapping Harness Races was published by Daily Racing Form Press in May of this year. It includes a detailed tour through the more complex methods of analyzing standardbred races, highlighting the importance of watching replays and qualifying races, and teaching racing fans how to spot good and bad value when identifying wagering opportunities. Other topics covered include: driver changes/choices, tote-board action, class drops, warm-ups and barn changes.
The book also includes an in-depth interview with one of the sport’s top drivers, Brian Sears, showing how he prepares for his night at the races, and how he deals with the decisions he must make as a sought-after catch driver.
Kim Rinker, a graduate of Ohio State University, has been involved with Chicago horse racing since 1984 – both as a writer and as a participant. A licensed trainer-driver of standardbreds, Rinker is also an award-winning journalist whose features have appeared in many harness racing publications. Her new book Chicago’s Horse Racing Venues, is published by Arcadia Publishing.
The popularity of horse racing in Chicago has yet to be rivaled in any other metropolitan area. Since the 1800s, the Windy City’s enthusiasm for both standardbred and thoroughbred racing led to 10 major racetracks being built in the Chicago area. Four of those raceways – Balmoral, Maywood, Hawthorne, and Arlington – are still racing and thriving today. Its racing community has enjoyed a long and sometimes scandalous history and Chicago’s Horse Racing Venues provides an evocative glimpse into Chicago’s rich racing history and a behind-the-scenes look at the people and horses involved.
Both publications are available online or by calling the museum’s gift shop at 845-294-6330. Signed copies will be available on July 5, Hall of Fame Day, at the Museum. Don’t miss your chance to own these books. They’re a must-have for any serious harness racing fan!
(With files from the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame)