Third generation horsemen Rick Harp posted his 1,500th career victory in the fourth race at Pompano Park on Wednesday evening.
Harp, 48, of Vasser, MI, won the race with the three-year-old Florida-sired gelding, Johnny Appleseed, in a lifetime best time of 1:56.4. It was the second straight win for Johnny Appleseed, who is owned by Harp’s father, Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame member, George Harp, Jr. and Rick’s mother, Jacqueline, of Vernon, NY.
“I feel real good about winning my 1,500th race tonight.” Harp said. “Especially with this horse because my dad owns him with my mom Jacqueline and his dam was one of my father’s top mares and broodmare.”
Sired by Signed N Sealed from the Raging Glory mare, Saxaphone Sally, Johnny Appleseed was bred to be a winner. Like Rick’s father, Saxaphone Sally is also inducted in the Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame by the Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
As a racehorse, Saxaphone Sally was a multiple Florida Sire Stakes winner with eight stakes victories and a record of 1:57.2. She also had eight foals, all of who made the races.
(Pompano Park)