The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association hosted its annual awards banquet on Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Marriott Columbus Airport with Sugar Instead, Ohio’s Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year, named the 2024 Ohio Horse of the Year.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” said co-owner Larry Wills. “This year she was just spectacular.”
Sugar Instead dominated the ranks of sophomore filly trotters, earning the Ohio Triple Crown on her way to being named the Ohio Three-Year-Old Filly Trotter of the Year and Horse of the Year. Owned by Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills and bred by Elmer Miller, Sugar Instead won 15 of 17 starts in 2024. Her victories included the Ohio State Fair Stakes, Ohio Breeders Championship and OHSS Scarlet Championship to earn the Buckeye State’s only Triple Crown of 2024. She was undefeated in Ohio, banking $742,606 in seasonal earnings.
Sugar Instead was also named the Ohio Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year in 2023. Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr., the Volstead filly boasts a record of 22-2-1 in 28 career starts and a bankroll totalling $1,116,531. It was the fourth time in the last six years that the two-year-old trotting filly champion repeated as a three-year-old. Rose Run Yolanda did it in 2023, Gabbys C Note in 2022 and Only Take Cash accomplished the feat in 2019.
“Our state’s program is arguably the best in the nation. Every year it’s harder to win this honour,” remarked Morgan.
“She’s coming back to race in 2025,” reassured Dick McClelland, Joyce’s husband.
World champion Sippinonsearoc hit the board in nine of 11 starts in 2024, earning $779,092 on his way to being named the Ohio Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year. In addition to setting the divisional world record in 1:48.2 at The Red Mile, Sippinonsearoc won six starts, including the Ohio Sires Stakes (OHSS) Scarlet Championship. The son of Downbytheseaside closed out this season with a second-place finish in the Breeders Crown. Sippinonsearoc is trained by Ron Burke and owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, R A S Racing and Knox Services. He was bred by Trent Stohler Stable and Alesha Binkley.
With wins in seven of eight starts, Odds On Hialeah was named the Ohio Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year. Her victories included the OHSS Scarlet Championship. Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr., the daughter of Lather Up never missed the board, capturing her only second-place finish in the fourth leg of the OHSS. Odds On Hialeah earned $443,545 for owners Let It Ride Stables and Odds On Racing. She was bred by Odds On Nourrir.
Lt Loverboy showed grit on his way to being named the Ohio Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year. The Long Tom gelding overcame interference, winning the OHSS Scarlet Championship. Bred by Midland Acres and owned by Wayne Mast Jr. and Callam Racing, Lt Loverboy never missed the board in 10 starts. He scored six wins, three seconds and one third-place finish, earning $416,514 under Daren Harvey’s conditioning.
Mocha Hill was dominant from the start, winning six of nine races to secure the Ohio Two-Year-Old Filly Trotter of the Year honours. Bred by Franklin Equine, the daughter of What The Hill hit the board eight times throughout her season, earning $354,749 for owners Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and Knox Services. Her victories under trainer Ron Burke included four legs of the OHSS and the Ohio State Fair.
Clever Cody claimed back-to-back divisional awards, now being named the 2024 Ohio Three-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year. Owned by the Canadian-based Clever Cody Stable and trained by Dr. Ian Moore, the son of The Panderosa won five of 18 starts this season, including the OHSS Scarlet Championship. His seasonal earnings were $473,791. Clever Cody was named the Ohio Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year in 2023. He sports a career record of 11-4-2 in 28 career starts, with total earnings of $889,601. Marvin Raber bred the pacer.
For the fourth time in six years, Ohio's defending freshman filly pacer of the year has stepped up to repeat as a sophomore. Seaside Diva followed the path of repeat winners McSeaside (2023), Sea Silk (2022) and Queen Of The Pride (2019) to be named the 2024 Ohio Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year. Trained by Ron Burke and owned and bred by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services and Let It Ride Stables, Seaside Diva was undefeated in the OHSS, taking all five legs and the Scarlet Championship. In 2024, the daughter of Downbytheseaside bankrolled $785,932 to push her lifetime earnings over the million-dollar mark. Seaside Diva now has a career record of 17-5-3 in 31 career starts.
A repeat divisional award winner, Tennessee Tom won six of 11 starts in 2024 on his way to being named Ohio’s Three-Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Hatfield Stables and Knox Services, Tennessee Tom hit the board a total of nine times while earning $403,313 in his sophomore season. The son of Long Tom won the James K. Hackett Memorial at Miami Valley Raceway, three OHSS legs and the Ohio State Fair Stakes. Tennessee Tom was named the Ohio Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year in 2023. Bred by Albert Miller, the Ron Burke trainee now sports a career record of 11-4-2 in 20 career starts, with lifetime earnings of amounting to $918,163.
For the first time, there was a tie for the Ohio Aged Pacer of the Year title, with Charlie May and Dunkin sharing the honour.
Owned and bred by Don Tiger, Charlie May hit the board in 13 of 21 starts last year. The six-year-old gelding by Mcardle won the OHSS Veterans Championship, upping his seasonal earnings to $307,018. Charlie May claims a lifetime record of 30-22-10 in 84 starts with $2.36 million in the bank. Steve Carter conditions the pacer, who received divisional honours in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Additionally, he was named Ohio Horse of the Year in 2021.
Dunkin won the Hoosier Park's Dan Patch, lowering his lifetime mark to 1:49.1. The four-year-old son of Pet Rock hit the board 20 of 35 starts in 2024, winning nine and bankrolling $575,014. Scott DiDomenico trains the gelding for owner Betty Clegg. Stonegate Standardbred Farms bred Dunkin.
Refined continues to live up to her name, proving herself an elegant athlete on her way to being named the Ohio Aged Trotter of the Year. The eight-year-old daughter of Uncle Peter won the OHSS Veterans Championship, lowering her lifetime mark to 1:51.2 at Scioto Downs. In 2024, she earned $285,729 under Virgil Morgan Jr.’s conditioning. Bred by Walnut Hall Stock Farm and owned by Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills, Refined has earned more than $1.34 million in her career. She boasts a record of 46-31-15 in 138 career starts.
William Chubb of Columbus, Ohio was named the Outstanding Groom for 2024. Chubb has worked for the Jim Arledge Stable since 2000 and received several nominations. “If something needs to be done, Willie knows what to do,” said Ohio trainer Tye Loy, who was one of Chubb’s nominators. Loy complimented Chubb’s dedication to each horse and love of the sport. Chubb has been in the industry for more than 40 years, getting his start at Wildwood Farms, Georgia.
Braiden Rhoades of Garrettsvile, Ohio was named the recipient of the Terry Holton Youth Award. The award, in its 22nd year named for the 2005 inductee into the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame, is presented to an Ohio horseperson between the ages of 13 and 19 who actively participated in harness racing during 2024 as a driver, trainer, groom, breeder, race office/publicity assistant or track maintenance crew, or has provided outstanding service to harness racing. Rhoades was born into the harness racing industry. “He eats, breathes, and sleeps horses,” said his father, Bill. “He works seven days a week, waking up to go to his own successful stable at Northfield Park and then to drive at fairs or onto the racetrack.” Rhoades began driving in 2022 and won his first race the following year. In 2024, he had 443 starts with a record of 42-48-52, earning $466,313. Rhoades is even more successful as a young trainer. In two years, he has earned 85 victories, 53 seconds and 55 third-place finishes in 448 starts with earnings totalling $765,241. “I’m getting to live my dream,” remarked Rhoades. “I’m grateful and honoured for all the opportunities I’ve had. Even being nominated for this award is special, let alone winning.”
The OHHA awarded Governor Mike DeWine its exclusive Dr. John P. Stevens Humanitarian Award, presented to an individual involved with the Standardbred and agricultural industries who exhibits exceptional compassion and dedicated service to mankind. Governor DeWine began his term as the 70th governor of Ohio in 2019. Throughout his tenure, he has been a champion of Ohio’s agriculture and harness racing industries, understanding their importance in the state’s heritage and economy. DeWine has shown unwavering support for county fair racing, specifically at the Delaware County Fair and Little Brown Jug. He has faithfully attended the Grand Circuit race, using the event to showcase the best of the Buckeye State. DeWine has supported legislation that increased Jug purses and bettered fairground facilities. DeWine and his wife, Fran, embody kindness, which is evident in their everyday lives and service to Ohioans. The Dr. John P. Stevens Humanitarian Award is exclusive, having been awarded only 21 times since its inception. R. Kevin Greenfield was the most recent recipient in 2018.
The association’s prestigious Maynard and Stella Hagemeyer Significant Contribution Award was given to former State Representative Scott Lipps, who served four terms in the 55th District of the House of Representatives in southwest Ohio. He strongly advocated for policies that benefitted the state’s agriculture and equine industries. He has demonstrated his commitment to preserving and promoting Ohio’s racing heritage through his routine visits to the Little Brown Jug and direct involvement with racing in his homeplace of Warren County. Recently, Lipps was instrumental in extending the Standardbred training opportunities for nearly 300 horses at the Warren County Fairgrounds. He coordinated efforts with OHHA, Warren County Senator Steve Wilson, the Warren County Commissioners and State Auditor Keith Faber to support horsemen who call Warren County home. Through Lipps’ diligence and dedication, they successfully extended the training center operations at the fairgrounds. “As a long-time friend of harness racing and the agricultural value in our industry, Representative Lipps understood why it was so important to be involved,” remarked Scott Hagemeyer, OHHA director and grandson of Maynard and Stella. “My grandparents would be proud to have him receive this award.”
Robert Geist received the Dick Brandt Sr. Extra Effort Award, named for the former OHHA president and awarded to an individual, local horsemen’s associations and matinee clubs who have committed to county fair racing. The award is based on involvement with their local fair board, local matinees, community involvement, improvements to racing and barn areas, and assistance with racing programs during the fair week. Geist has been involved with harness racing for more than 50 years. He was instrumental in starting The Signature Series in 2000 and served as the organization’s president. He was a longtime board member of the Mercer County Agricultural Society and remains on the speed committee today. Geist served on the OHHA Board of Directors for several years and has been a member of the Mercer County Harness Horsemen's Association (MCHHA) since its inception in 1971. MCHHA is also a multiple recipient of the Dick Brandt Sr. Extra Effort Award. Geist resides in Celina with his wife, Kris. In 2024, they successfully campaigned the two-year-old pacing gelding Jbmagic in the Buckeye Stallion Series and Ohio County Fair Stakes.
Betty Clegg and Marc St. Louis Jr. received the Ohio Racing With The Stars award as the top trainer and driver on the Ohio county fair racing circuit in 2024. Clegg led all Ohio trainers with 75 fair wins last summer. In 2024, she had 114 total winners with earnings of $1,201,278. St. Louis won 114 Ohio fair races last year. Overall, in 2024 he won 166 races and drove winners of $1,288,033 in purses.
Jugette-winning trainer Jessica Roegner and the connections of Breeders Crown champions Allegiant, Miki And Minnie, Sig Sauer and Louprint were all presented Special Recognition Awards for their contributions to the betterment of harness racing in Ohio.
Roegner, a Northfield Park-based trainer, was recognized for her 2024 Jugette victory with Soft Shot at the Delaware County Fair. Despite being a supplemental entry, Soft Shot won her elimination in a world record of 1:49.3 and capped it off winning the the Jugette final. The three-year-old filly pacer closed out her season with 11 victories in 15 starts, earning $315,481 under Roegner’s conditioning.
Ryan Smith of Dennison, Ohio was recognized as the owner of three-year-old filly trotter Allegiant. Allegiant hit the board in 12 of 19 races, winning six including the Breeders Crown. She bankrolled $1,033,048 in 2024 and more than $1.3 million lifetime. Allegiant was named the 2024 Three-Year-Old Filly Trotter of the Year by the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA).
Robert Mondillo of Delaware, Ohioreceived the Special Recognition Award for his part ownership of Miki And Minnie. The two-year-old pacing filly won the Breeders Crown and the Three Diamonds at The Meadowlands. She never missed the board in 11 seasonal starts, taking a record of 6-4-1 and earning $1,150,489. Mondillo also co-bred Miki And Minnie, named the 2024 Two-Year-Old Filly Pacer of the Year by USHWA.
Joe Sbrocco of Brecksville, Ohio was recognized as part owner of Sig Sauer. The three-year-old colt trotter won half of his 10 seasonal starts, including the Breeders Crown and Kentucky Futurity in a career-best of 1:49.3. Sig Sauer made $1,196,770 during his sophomore campaign, upping his lifetime earnings to $1.4 million. He was named the 2024 Three-Year-Old Colt Trotter of the Year by USHWA.
Ronnie Wrenn Jr., a staple in the Northfield Park driving colony, drove Louprint to victory in the Breeders Crown for freshman colt pacers in 1:49.1. The triumph was the first win of its kind for Wrenn. USHWA named Louprint the 2024 Two-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year.
For the sixth straight year, driver Chris Page and trainer Ron Burke captured Ohio’s Kaltenbach titles. The Jerry Kaltenbach Memorial Trophies were established in 1988 and are awarded annually to the driver and trainer who have earned the most dollars competing in OHSS events in a single season.
Page claims the most Kaltenbach awards amongst drivers, notching his ninth title. Page started in 71 OHSS events, winning 27 races, finishing second nine times and adding five third-place finishes to earn $1,431,350 USD. Brett Miller finished second with 13 wins, 12 second-place finishes and four third-place finishes in 58 starts. Miller’s earnings topped $1,190,850 USD. Aaron Merriman finished third having a record of 10-13-11 in 78 races and $978,750 USD in earnings. A total of 58 drivers participated in the 2024 OHSS events with 45 garnering at least one purse cheque. Fifteen had earnings over $100,000 USD or more, with nine amassing earnings over $300,000 USD.
The Kaltenbach title was the seventh for Burke, who had 111 starts in the 2024 OHSS legs, championships and consolations. His total money earned from these OHSS events was $1,979,700 USD. Burke finished with 34 wins, 11 second-place finishes and nine third-place finishes. Virgil Morgan Jr. finished second with $1,267,100 USD in earnings and a 12-12-3 record from 51 starts. Chris Beaver finished third. He had earnings of $634,050 USD with a record of 3-12-10 in 47 starts. A total of 95 trainers participated in 2024 OHSS events with 19 earning of more than $100,000 USD.
In the 36 years the Kaltenbach trophies have been awarded, Page leads all drivers with nine trophies followed by David Miller with seven. David Hawk and Brett Miller have three each. On the training side, Burke has captured the title seven times, Morgan six and Jim Dailey won the award four times. Only two horsemen have won the Kaltenbach in both the training and driving categories: Sam “Chip” Noble III and Dave Rankin.
The Ohio Chapter of the United State Harness Writers Association (USHWA) also presented awards at the horsemen's banquet.
Ronnie Wrenn Jr., one of the Buckeye state’s best reinsmen, was selected as the Winner’s Circle Award recipient for his outstanding 2024 season. The 38-year-old native of Michigan found himself as the top UDRS driver at Northfield Park (0.407) and Hollywood Gaming at The Meadows (0.384). He had 592 wins and his first $10 million season in 2024. The highlight of his 2024 campaign was his victory in the $972,222 Breeders Crown with two-year-old pacer Louprint. The win was Wrenn’s first in the lucrative series. Wrenn also scored wins in the Kentucky Sire Stakes final with Louprint, Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final with Papis Rocket, #Senditin Invitational with Seafire and Charna President’s Pace and Act Fast.
Tyler Angus, 22, a native of Macedonia, Ohio, was presented with the Peter Haughton Memorial Award. The award is presented to a young Ohioan who is an “up-and-coming” star among horsepeople. The son of Megan and Ryan Angus, the third generation horseman secured his first career win at the Mahoning County Fair at Canfield on Aug. 24, 2020 in a Signature Series event with Ruffys Desire in 1:57.3. In 2024, he won 88 races and posted his first million-dollar season. Angus ranks in the top 10 in the tough driver’s colony at MGM Northfield Park against such stalwarts as Aaron Merriman, Ronnie Wrenn Jr., Kurt Sugg, Billy Davis Jr., and Hunter Myers, to name a few.
Amy Hollar received the prestigious Rambling Willie Award, recognizing the Ohioan who has done the most for harness racing over the past two decades. The popular and indefatigable Cuyahoga Falls resident has been Northfield Park’s Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association track representative since 2001, serving under five OHHA general managers. Hollar, 56, was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio to a family with deep harness racing roots. Her 24-year stint at Northfield has been a remarkable balancing act in terms of productivity, hard won respect and sheer stamina. While raising a family of three — sons Carson and Aaron and daughter Toni Dale — she continues to work mornings several hours in the barn with her husband Calvin (aka “Buck”) and makes herself available to horsepeople all day and night long. And not only at Northfield. Horsepeople at all three seasonal downstate tracks know they can count on her to coordinate catch drives, ship-in stalls and other details related to the Route 8 oval’s year-round series and stakes events. Hollar's energy, organizational skills and captivating presence in post-race ceremonies brings to mind the old adage “the hostess with the mostest” — herding excited owners and connections for the photograph, blanketing the horse, giving hugs while distributing bling and mementos, and safely exiting everyone from the winner's circle multiple times a night to stay on a tight schedule. While Hollar works for the horsemen and represents their interests with tenacity and effectiveness, she has earned the deep respect of both Northfield management and state regulatory authorities. Her long and successful efforts to maintain Ohio’s status as "The Heart of It All" in the nation’s Standardbred industry is why she has earned the 2024 Rambling Willie Award.
The 2024 Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame inductees, selected by members of the Ohio Chapter of USHWA, were also celebrated at the awards banquet.
K F Pro Sam, a three-time OHSS champion, has been selected to be the latest Standardbred to be enshrined into the Ohio Hall of Fame. The gelding by Nobleland Sam out of the Falcon Almahurst mare, Pro Choice, was bred by Henry Kaufman of Baltimore, Ohio. As a two-year-old, he went into training with co-owner Scott Mogan and went on to win freshman divisional honours, winning the Ohio Triple Crown – the Ohio State Fair, OHSS Championship and the Ohio Breeders Championship. At three, he repeated his OHSS title and earned the Ohio Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year award. K F Pro Sam was also fifth in the final of the 2000 Little Brown Jug before heading east where he won the Maryland Governor’s Cup, Freehold Cup and multiple Open events at The Meadowlands. In 2001, he "threepeated" in the OHSS final and also picked up Ohio Aged Pacer of the Year and Ohio Horse of the Year awards under the ownership of Howard Schoor, John Fielding and Peter Heffering. K F Pro Sam retired in 2003 with 26 wins in 60 starts, earning $635,578. In 2014, K F Pro Sam was sent to New Vocations and found his forever home as a riding horse with Caroyln Deer until his passing in December 2023 at the age of 26.
LaVerne Hill, a former vice-president and owner of Scioto Downs and known by many as the “First Lady of Harness Racing," has been elected into the Hall of Fame as an immortal. Hill and her late husband Charlie founded and operated "Ohio's Showplace of Racing," Scioto Downs for 48 years and owned Hill Farms, one of the state's finest breeding facilities which stood the great Falcon Almahurst. She previously served as president of the Mid American Racing Association, president and CEO of Mara Enterprises, a director of Harness Tracks of America, a member of the Little Brown Jug Society and as a director of the United States Trotting Association (USTA). Both Charlie (1985) and LaVerne (2001) won Harness Tracks of America’s prestigious Messenger Award, the first husband and wife so honoured. Mrs. Hill was also presented with the Sulky Sweeties Good Guy Award, USHWA President's Award, HTA’s Good Gal Award and the Social Service Award from OHHA. In 2001, Hill was the honouree for the Delaware County Fair’s Lady Pace. Three years later, she donated the funds needed to finance the construction of the Jugette Barn at Delaware, a memorial to her late husband. She was elected into the Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame in 2005. Hill passed away in October 2013.
Donald ‘Skip’ Hoovler, a long-time owner known for his relentless dedication to the sport, has been elected to the Hall of Fame. He became involved in harness racing in 1968 and races mostly homebreds in the Ohio stakes program. Among his top horses were Medoland Sam ($231,120), Medoland Big Sam ($317,454), Medoland Miracle ($292,673), Northmedo Tam ($128,722) and Northmedo Mission ($328,048). Hoovler’s greatest accomplishment in harness racing has come away from racetracks and breeding sheds. He has given selflessly of his time for the betterment of the sport in the Buckeye state. He serves as the USTA’s chairperson for District 1, is a former president and current board member of OHHA, director of OHHA’s Political Action Committee for Equine Racing (PACER) committee and a member of the Little Brown Jug Society. Hoovler graduated from Ohio University in 1965, where he was an All-American linebacker. Upon graduation, he played professionally for the New York Jets and Houston Oilers. He is a financial advisor and owns Hoovler Financial and Insurance Services in Pataskala, Ohio, where he resides with his wife, Tammy, who is an avid horsewoman. They have three children and eight grandchildren with daughter Amy as successor and partner of Hoovler Financial and Insurance Services.
(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association & United States Harness Writers Association; photo of Sugar Instead winning at Delaware)
Congrats to all but…
Congrats to all but especially Amy!!!!