Longtime harness racing industry participant James "Jimmy" Larente of Leavittown, Pennsylvania passed away on May 23, 2023 at the age of 92.
A third generation horseman, Jimmy Larente knew nothing other than horses almost since birth. According to the USTA's Harness Handbook, he summed up his childhood years with one sentence: "We weren't allowed to do anything but work with the horses." At 18, after several years of full-time work for his father, Paul, Jim was off on his own with a two-horse stable. He made his first start at Saratoga and won his first race at Quebec City, both in 1949.
In 1966, Jim joined the Frank Safford stable as second trainer and "first driver" and his career took off from there. The leading driver at Brandywine in 1967, Larente opened his own public stable in 1968 and took roots in the Delaware Valley, with trips to New York, The Meadowlands and the Grand Circuit when warranted.
Larente was one of the "lieutenants" to which Hall of Famer Ted Wing farmed out precocious youngsters for basic schooling, and one of the best babies that Larente tutored early on Butler B G, who went on to be an outstanding performer for Wing. Desert Ruler, a trotting colt who won a Haughton Memorial elimination, also did well for Larente and Wing.
Many other solid performers have pulled his blue and gold colours to victory lane. Mr Overnite was a top Invitational pacer for many years in the Delaware Valley, while Mr Wight was one of the early stars of the New Jersey Sire Stakes program. Good Time Boy was the first top horse with which Jim was identified, while Scully put Larente in harness racing's record books twice as the double-gaited stallion set world marks on both five-eighths and mile tracks.
Mr. Larente retired from driving in 2010 with 2,248 wins and more than $7.9 million in purse earnings.
A private service has taken place.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of James Larente.