Four years ago, USHWA’s Monticello-Goshen Chapter named an award in honour of late Hall of Famer and former chapter president Phil Pines. Since then there have been some worthy recipients, and this year’s beneficiary, Derick Giwner, is no exception.
Giwner is a man for all seasons as far as harness racing is concerned. He was a writer and editor of Sports Eye, and over the years, despite takeovers and name changes at the company, Giwner managed to work his way up the ladder to his current position as editor of ‘DRF Harness’ for the Daily Racing Form.
Giwner began his love affair with harness racing in the early 1990s while taking trips to Yonkers Raceway to see the great trotters of the era like Scenic Regal and Dr Trotta.
He continued on to earn his BBA in Marketing before getting his feet wet in the harness racing industry in 1996 as an editor at Sports Eye, a daily harness news publication and printing company.
Initially starting as a chart caller, program editor and handicapper, Giwner used his free time to explore other facets of the sport. In 1998, Giwner competed in the first ever ‘Sports Eye Battle of Monticello,’ a harness race in jog carts amongst employees. After winning the race with Rasta Hanover with a four wide move on the final turn, he was hooked and immediately started pursuing a license to driver in ‘real’ races.
Since getting his provisional license in 1999, Giwner has driven in over 80 races as an amateur driver. During that time he has also been involved as an owner with horses such as Call Me Cam, Kentucky Flyer, Christy Rae and Twin B Sassy, among some of his favourites.
On the other side of the fence and high above the action, Giwner spent time in the announcer’s booth calling the action. After learning the ropes at Yonkers Raceway from veterans Bob Meyer and John Hernan, Giwner went on to call races at Goshen Historic Track, Monticello Raceway, Bangor Raceway and even made a guest appearance calling a race at the Meadowlands in 2012.
As the head of harness content for DRF, Giwner writes a weekly blog and daily features. He is also the lead handicapper for the Meadowlands and manages all social media for the DRF Harness brand. He can often be found covering big events, from the Little Brown Jug to the Hambletonian, or simply watching live qualifying action. As his wife Stephanie and kids Jenna and Emily will attest, harness racing consumes his life.
Giwner also wrote a chapter covering half-mile track racing (specifically Yonkers Raceway) in Dave Brower’s book, Harnessing Winners: The Complete Guide to Handicapping Harness Races, and he’s always looking to promote harness racing.
Writing and handicapping aside, Giwner also dabbles in photography and can often be seen shooting pictures at racetracks across the country.
On Sunday, November 17, Giwner will receive his award when the scribes hold their 55th annual Awards Banquet at The Fountains on Sands Road in Middletown, NY.
(With files from USHWA)