When the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association holds its 52nd annual Awards Banquet at Monticello Raceway on Sunday, October 24, the local scribes will honour Lucien Fontaine with the USHWA chapter's Lifetime Achievement Award.

'Loosh,' as he is liked to be called, actually vaulted into stardom while competing at Monticello Raceway in the early 1960s. He won back-to-back driving titles at the track in 1963 and 1964, and to fans who attended the races at the 'Mighty M' during those years, who can ever forget Lucien’s pride and joy, Pocomoonshine, who he recalled to have been one of the grittiest and finest pacers he ever had -- excluding of course his 1986 Horse of the Year, Forrest Skipper.

Pocomoonshine was probably the best horse on the grounds at Monticello in those days. When some top pacers would miss a week in New York, they would come to Monticello for a race. Fontaine recently said that after they were defeated by Pocomoonshine, they would return back to New York humbled.

Another of Fontaine’s favourites during his Monticello years was Ruby Duby Doo who was one of the best pacing mares on the grounds back then. And he fondly recalled the time he drove all four ends of the Twin Double (a wager which was big favourite among the betting crowd, and one that is no longer available), and was probably the only driver ever to do so.

Fontaine’s memories of racing at Monticello are paramount for that is way he met and married Marsha, the love of his life.

After a few years in the Catskills, Fontaine moved on to the bigger purses which were offered in metropolitan New York. While there, he continued his brilliance in the sulky. He copped the driving titles at both Yonkers and Roosevelt Raceways in 1968, 1977 and 1978. Among some of the stalwarts that Fontaine catch-drove in the days were Valiant Bret, Country Don, Irish Napoleon, Shadow Rocket, Big Towner, Cigar Store Injun, Hodgen Special, Tropic Song, Rumpus Hanover, Eric G, Which Way, WW Smith and Oscar R L.

In 1986 Lucien had quite a success story on his hands when he handled that season’s Horse of the Year, Forrest Skipper. The team had a perfect 15-for-15 season and set records everywhere they went. Forrest Skipper won the final of the Graduate Series in 151.3 at the Meadowlands, which at the time was a World Record for a four-year-old horse on a one-mile track. He equaled his own World Record just five days later when he won a leg of the Driscoll Series. Forrest Skipper then equaled his record again when he won the final of the Driscoll Series.

Lucien often talks about the wonderful opportunity he had, and thanks Forrest Bartlett for his trust in him with his champion homebred.

“What a pleasure it must have been for Forrest to have bred and raised a homebred who earned the Horse of the Year title,” Fontaine explained. He also thanks his good friend, Woody Truitt, for his recommendation to Forrest Bartlett that he should have Lucien train and drive Forrest Skipper

Lucien’s career unfortunately ended prematurely in 1989 due to open-heart surgery. After Lucien recuperated from the procedure, his wife Marsha suggested, “why don’t we take some time to smell the roses,” and Lucien agreed. They travelled the world from then on.

It was the best time of their lives, as they travelled for 18 years. Lucien gives Marsha all the credit for showing him the world and teaching him that there’s more to living than just racing harness horses. After 39 years of a wonderful marriage, Marsha passed away in 2006 to pancreatic cancer.

Lucien currently makes permanent residence in Margate, Florida but still travels to Canada and New York during the summer months. He still enjoys going to Pompano Park to watch the races, but Lucien mostly enjoys flying with his son, Marc, who is a pilot. It isn’t rare for Lucien and Marc to have breakfast in Coral Springs, lunch in Key West and dinner in Palm Beach on the same day.

(USHWA)