Jim Boese, longtime Chief Operating Officer of Harrington Raceway & Casino and former United States Trotting Association director, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the age of 84.
Boese was born on August 30, 1941 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Jean Mary and Levi Anton Boese. Jim grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota alongside his siblings Sharon, Curtis, Helen, Patricia and David.
He attended schools in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington High School in 1959. Jim served two years in the United States Navy with honours from 1965 to 1967. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Jim graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism in 1967.
Jim started working at pari-mutuel tracks in South Dakota while attending college and continued working at tracks in Nebraska, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, Arizona, Colorado and Rhode Island. Jim served as President of Lincoln Greyhound Park in Rhode Island from 1982 to 1993 and was instrumental in the implementation of slot machines at the track.
Jim was Chief Operating Officer of Racing at Harrington Raceway from March 2000 until his passing.
While working at Harrington Raceway, Jim was 1st Vice President of Harness Tracks of America for several years. He was also a Director of the United States Trotting Association for 15 years, serving as the District 11 chairman for eight years. The district includes Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Jim met his wife, Barbara, while working at Harrington Raceway. They were married on July 30, 2006.
Barbara and Jim enjoyed travelling to Maui and Arizona and taking cruises with their granddaughter, Kate Boese. Jim also enjoyed playing golf and watching and attending golf tournaments with Barbara.
In accordance with Jim's wishes, no funeral services will be held. His life and contributions will be honoured with a memorial race bearing his name at Harrington Raceway & Casino on Thursday, July 23.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jim Boese.
(USTA)