Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Harness Heritage Four Generations
Trotting and Pacing Sport Is Tradition with Lambs
From the January 1950 issue of Hoof Beats--by Lillian Densmore

The turf history of the Lamb family extends over a period of more than half a century. It is a legacy passed on to each new generation through the inspiration of those who gained success and happiness during their lifetime association with the Standardbreds. So, young Robert Lamb, the fourth generation, had little choice when it came to selecting a career. He had only to follow the dictates of his heart.
Lamb Family

     Standing left to right are Bobby Lamb, his mother, Mrs. John Lamb, Jr., and his
     grandfather, John Lamb. Seated on the sulky are Bobby's bothers, Jerry (leff)
     and Mickey.
It all started some 65 years ago when great-grandfather Lamb became interested in the trotters and started his racing career in New York State. He drove many a good campaigner to a record and in later years started a breeding farm. During this time Bobby's grandfather, John Lamb, could no longer be content to sit calmly on the old trunk and listen to the thrilling drama of the turf. Nor was he satisfied to perch on the rail watching the speedsters. So he fitted himself with a silk cap, many times too large, borrowed a whip, and at the tender age of ten made his track debut.

He is still active in the game and thoroughly enjoys the excitement of competition. Much the same procedure was followed by, Bobby's father, best known as Buck. He started out when a young man and has been riding the sulkies for 22 years.

Then along came the fourth generation of the driving Lambs and the 19-year-old Robert, felt the same keen urge to test his ability as a reinsmen. It was not until the 1948 season that he gained a mount of his own when he assumed the job of driving Pin Up Girl in a number of Midwest events and did a good job.

The past spring and summer he campaigned Spud Worthy for Ray Holtman of Quincy, Illinois, and experienced the thrill of a lifetime when he finished the mile oval at Fairmount in 2:04 flat, reducing the four-year old's mark by ten and two-fifths seconds and giving the novice reinsman the honor of having teamed a horse faster than his father, or for that matter anyone else in the family.

Bobby made 30 starts with Spud Worthy, getting to the winner's circle 22 times. In the balance of the starts he finished twice second, twice third, twice fourth and only twice out of the money. Spud won eight stake events while racing on the Kentucky Circuit and took a half-mile track record of 2:061/5. His total earnings for 1949 amount to $4,935.42.

Bobby will winter at Springfield, Ill. Among those that he'll train are Spud Worthy and Promoter Girl.

It is easy to understand why the Fidelity, Ill., kid has such an understanding with horses and is well on the road to success. When asked about it, Bobby said, "I have been with the horses as long as I can remember. Guess it was just in my blood."

And then there's always the family tradition to keep alive".

Yes, even his mother enters and plays a part in the harness picture. She goes all out for the sport and helps to encourage her family in the game. She even hopes that Bobby's two younger brothers, Jerry and Mickey, will take to the sulky when the time comes.

And it looks as if her wish will be realized. Even now, they can hardly wait for school to close in the spring so they can take off with the elders on another campaign. Both of them, like the other Lambs, love the horses.