Lying In Cash captured Michigan’s Aged Pacer of the Year honours and shared in the Headliner Award honours with fellow aged pacer Catch Me Conrad. Lying In Cash had 10 wins in 2022, eight of those at the Open level at Northville Downs, and earned over $68,000 in Michigan earnings. Lying In Cash has been given a short vacation from racing and will resume his 2023 campaign this Spring and Summer at Northville Downs.

Catch Me Conrad captured six wins at Northville in 2022 and earned over $63,000 in the state of Michigan for his connections. He has taken his 2023 campaign to the Meadowlands where he took his lifetime mark recently on January 7th in 1:50.4 with David Miller in control of the lines for trainer Rob Harmon.

Both pacers frequently matched up against each other in the Open ranks, with each taking turns winning. Lying In Cash is bred, owned and trained by Techia Lohmann. Catch Me Conrad is owned and trained by Greg Cook and was bred my his late wife Michelle Cook.

Aged Trotter of the Year went to Enchanted Mission, who is owned by Dr. Josh Tanis and trained by Danielle St. Louis. Enchanted Mission compiled a Michigan race record of 27 starts, nine wins (four of those at the Open level) and earnings of $66,089 in 2022. Enchanted Mission took to Northfield Park and London’s Western Fair following the end of Northville Downs’ 2022 meet, but he is now on hiatus for a rest.

2022-23 Michigan Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

The Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association is excited to announce the 2022-23 Hall of Fame inductees James Michael Mayes, Pam Loomis, D.V.M., Frank Marotta, Jr, D.V.M. and Elpidio Bernardi, Jr.

James Michael Mayes, a resident of Leslie, Mich. and who attended Michigan State University for Agricultural Science, set up a training center in Leslie that became one of the first farms in Michigan to offer a horse swimming pool used for conditioning and rehab. Jim had success training and owning Standardbreds over the years including China Dragon and Ever Eddie, both of which put him on the harness racing map. Jim created a foundation of future horsemen, teaching the up and coming generations work ethic and discipline. As a trainer, Jim has posted 2,479 starts and earnings over $2.3 million.

Dr. Pam Loomis, D.V.M. is a sole practitioner equine veterinarian who works on race horses in Michigan and beyond. She is a wealth of knowledge and her compassion is without comparison. Pam has partnered with longtime trainer Terry Deters, generating some stable favourites like Blissfull Kiss, who is now a successful broodmare; Easily Amused, who is Pam’s favourite; and Sugar Buzz who is the future stable star. Pam and her husband Dave have two sons Pierson and Stewart that reside in Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich.

Dr. Frank Marotta, Jr., D.V.M. is also a graduate of Michigan State University, class of 1979 for veterinary medicine. He is currently a sole practitioner on race horses in Michigan and beyond. He was raised on a horse farm which developed his passion to become a vet. He played baseball and football and has now turned his attention to golf. He is loved by many and offers a gift to gab. He is married to his wife Teresa and they have four children and five grandchildren.

Elpidio Bernardi, Jr., nicknamed Junior, was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico. He came to the United States seeking a career and good life. He married his sweetheart Lucy and together they raised three daughters while raising and racing their horses. Elpidio was an executive at Ford Motors, inventing new technology for the automobile industry. He started his racing career in 1980 and has now accumulated 4,625 starts with 460 wins, 550 seconds and 579 thirds and purse earnings of nearly $2.5 million.

The Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association will celebrate the achievements of Standardbred horsemen, women and horses during the 2022 racing season and honour the Michigan Harness Racing Hall of Fame inductees during Saturday’s 2023 annual banquet and awards ceremony at Crystal Gardens in Howell, Michigan starting with the MHHA board meeting at 5 p.m. (EST) and awards ceremonies to begin at 7 p.m.

(Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association)