It’s official. On Monday, July 22 Monticello Raceway will host the third edition of the Battle of the Brain Trust, a race for harness racing executives from various aspects of the Standardbred business.
Five people who make the decisions for their respective organizations have confirmed they will don racing silks and be in the unfamiliar position of driving a harness horse competitively over a one mile distance.
Anxious to get behind a spirited steed again in the event are Shawn Wiles, General Manager of Monticello Raceway, Jason Settlemoir, General Manager of The Meadowlands, and Vic Harrison, Marketing Director for United Tote.
This year they’ll be joined by the first lady of harness racing Moira Fanning, the Director of Operations and Publicity for the Hambletonian Society, and by Jerry Murkerson, who’ll be coming in all the way from Hawkinsville, Georgia, where, as city manager, he runs the training center there.
And if he fails to qualify for some local golf tournaments, John Hensley, VP of Racing at Dover Downs may also join the fray.
The initial 'Battle' was presented on July 3, 2008 and was won by then Monticello Casino & Raceway President and CEO, Dave Hanlon, when he guided a pacer named M I Nasty to a 2:07.1 victory. That afternoon Hanlon defeated Tom Charters, President and CEO of the Hambletonian Society, Jason Settlemoir, Vice President of Racing at both Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, and John Hensley, Vice President of Racing at Dover Downs.
A second 'Battle' was contested two years later and saw Larry Roman, CEO Of WDF Green and longtime horse owner, win with Big John B in a time of 2:13 over Shawn Wiles, Jason Settlemoir, and Vic Harrison.
“I’m going to do my best to protect my home turf from any of the invaders this time around,” Wiles said about the upcoming Battle. “And I can guarantee everyone that I’ll be tough to beat whether I draw the pole or the outside.
“I’m giving fair warning that I’ll be practicing before the race and I’ll be in top form when the man says go.”
(With files from Monticello Raceway)