Seven fledgling harness drivers competed in two exhibition races on Thursday at Goshen Historic Track. Presented by the Harness Racing Youth League, the 12- to 14-year-old youngsters raced one lap around the famed oval accompanied by
seasoned drivers in two-seated jog carts. Parents, siblings, friends and members of the media cheered as the kids steered their trotting-bred pacers and trotters behind the mobile starting gate and rushed out to the lead.
Part of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation’s 2010 Summer Camps, the seven participants arrived at Historic Track on Sunday, July 18 and have spent five days immersed in the daily care of seven horses, learning about their equipment and the regular routine of barn chores. 
In addition, the participants are introduced to career opportunities, equine conformation, driving techniques and strategies, as well as many other facets of the horse industry. The camp also visited the Harness Racing Museum where the kids learned about the history of the standardbred and rode in the popular simulator.
In preparation for Thursday’s races, all of the campers schooled behind the starting gate on Wednesday (July 21) with the same horses that they drove in the exhibition races. The first race was won by Alexa Janosi, who was assisted by D.R. Ackerman. Alexa, who hails from Wallkill, New York, started from the outermost post position and guided the seven-year-old trotting gelding Jandis Tuff As Sky right to the front and never looked back to win the first division. A quiet gal, who quickly developed a strong horse sense in the sulky, Alexa was all smiles in the winner’s circle and was happy to let her horse do the talking.
The second division was captured by Goshen resident Heather Perry, who was assisted by Ryan Miller, a 2001 HRYL alumni and Ray Schnittker stable assistant. Heather, a talkative lass with five family horses to care for at home, was uncharacteristically quiet in the winner’s circle. As camera shutters whizzed she stood silently behind her trusty steed, the four-year-old pacing mare CDs Miss M, admiring their collective accomplishment. Other racers were assisted behind the starting gate, and with driving tips, by Stephane Bouchard, Kimberly Asher, Larry Stalbaum, Ryan Macedonio and Jordan Stratton.
The camp, complete with all new participants, moves on to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania next week and then heads to The Meadowlands for “the final” during the Hambletonian Festival August 6 and 7.
For more information about the Harness Racing Youth League contact Ellen Taylor, executive director of HHYF, at (317) 867-5877 or check out the website at www.hhyf.org.
(Goshen Historic Track)