When pacer Marty Megatron steps onto the track at The Meadows on Tuesday afternoon (September 22), he will, as always, be carrying the hopes of his owner Don Tiger. However, Tiger’s desire for the horse to win takes on a different meaning this week.
Tiger will be donating the horse’s purse earnings to the family of horseman Brad Hanners, who passed away earlier in the week.
“I decided that 100 percent of 'Marty's net earnings that day will go to Brad’s wife and their kids,” said Tiger.
He was inspired by what he saw at Scioto Downs last weekend on their sire stake championship night, as horsemen gathered to support the Hanners family. Rather than just make a cash donation, Tiger decided to let his horse determine things.
“Racing is what we love. If it was me, I know I would want a horse to go to the gate for me.”
There’s no guarantee that Marty Megatron, who races for trainer Tim Twaddle, will get a cheque in the $6,200 race. Tiger, however, has made a guarantee, vowing a minimum of $250 will be sent to the family if the horse finishes out of the money.
Marty Megatron is the 3-1 morning line favourite on Tuesday, when he will compete in the 12th race on the afternoon card. Caretaker Michelle Miller from the Twaddle Stable will be wearing a "Hanners Strong" t-shirt that was given away at Scioto over the weekend, and Tiger hopes that the horse and Miller will be making an appearance in the winner's circle.
“If the horse does win, I’ll send a win picture along with the cheque,” said Tiger, who added, “I never knew Brad. I met his grandmother once in the grandstand at The Meadows years ago. I just think that horsemen top to bottom need to help out other horsemen.”
Tiger and Marty Megatron will certainly be doing that on Tuesday.
The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association will accept donations for the Hanners family at the MSOA office located on the backstretch at The Meadows. Cheques can be made payable to the Hanners Fund. Also on Tuesday, drivers and trainers will walk from the paddock to the winner's circle for a moment of silence in Hanners' honour.
(MSOA)