Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Ohio Hall of Famers Honored

February 28, 2008

Robert O'Donnell, 83, of Grafton's Hobby Horse Farm topped a parade of local harness racing stars recently inducted into the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame by the Ohio Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association.

O'Donnell was joined by the late Lew Williams and Courageous Lady, a pacer Williams had driven to racing glory at Northfield Park.

O'Donnell developed Hobby Horse Farm into a premier Ohio breeding and training farm that produced the world champion Leah Almahurst. O'Donnell, now retired and living in Florida, also campaigned such top-notch race horses as Leather Jacket, Impatiens, Kitchen Mechanic, Liberated Angel and I'm No Angel.

O'Donnell was past president and director of the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, on the board of directors of the U.S. Trotting Association and involved his sons, trainer-driver Kelly and Mike, an equine dentist. Kelly's top accomplishment was training P-Forty-Seven to a 2005 Little Brown Jug win.

Lew Williams and his brother, Chuck, hailed from rural Cadiz, Ohio, and were among the few black drivers in harness racing. Williams, who died at 42 after a 1989 tractor accident, was the leading driver at Northfield Park from 1972-74. He drove 2,023 winners, earning $8.8 million.

Northfield Park has named a top stakes event for 3-year-old pacing fillies after Courageous Lady, who paced a time-trial best of 1:54.4 as a 3-year-old, won 28 of 113 starts and won $418,256.

As a brood mare, the daughter of Captain Courageous foaled Uptown Swell, winner of more than $700,000, and Courageous Legacy, who clocked a 1:52.2 mile. Matt Kakaley, a young driver spending the winter at Northfield Park, received the Peter Haughton Memorial Award as Ohio's leading young driver. Brad Wallace was given the Rambling Willie Award; and Jim Arledge Jr. the Winner's Circle Award.