Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Odds on Racing's

Personality of the Month
for April 2005

Tad Stockman

Never a stranger to harness racing, Tad Stockman is well-known as the Racing Secretary and Director of Racing for the sport's premiere harness racing facility--The Meadowlands. Sounds like an easy task, right? Not when you think about having the responsibility of keeping the trainers, drivers and owners of the world's top trotters and pacers happy on a daily basis. But Tad pulls it off, and he does it with apparent ease and self-assurance.

Tad, 47, is a Salem, Ohio native who now resides in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. He shares his home and life with wife Dorene, 35.

Tad Stockman

"I love working for the greatest racetrack in the world," Tad says. "And being surrounded by great employees that work together as a united team is just an added bonus."

"My goal is to treat the horsemen as fairly as possibly and with respect," Tad added. "I am always looking for ways to keep The Meadowlands as the leading racetrack in the industry."

Tad says that he's had a lifelong love the horse racing industry, and his main goal was to garner "a chance to work with and for people I respected for many years."

Tad's duties as Director of Racing at The Meadowlands include overseeing the stakes schedule for the year and other administrative duties, while his role as a Racing Secretary sees him involved in the day-to-day business of running a racing office. That includes putting out a condition sheet, overseeing the draw, and dealing with drivers, trainers and owners on a daily basis as well.

TadStockman2

Stockman hard at work at his Meadowland's office

"I've had some unusual experiences in my post over the years," Tad recalled. "Once, I had a real hard time explaining to a horsemen that was trying to enter a horse at 5:30, that our box had closed at 4 pm, and just because it was prior to 4 pm in California, that it was later here."

"Another time a woman called the racing office (1-800-STABLES), and I tried explaining to her that this was The Meadowlands at 1-800-Stables, not 1-800-Staples, the office supply store. When she refused to believe me and called 3 more times, I told her the carton of paper she ordered was on back order."

Tad says that developments in the technology-end of the industry have allowed harness racing to be more on par with other businesses in the last few years.

"The advancements in technology over the last few years that have started to bring harness racing up to the standards of the rest of the business world," Tad noted. "Electronic eligibilities, advancements in internet technology uses for racetracks, and sharing of information between the USTA and Standardbred Canada are all positive developments within the sport."

"As far as the entire industry, I think we need stronger penalties for drug offenders," Tad said. "Suspension of horses that have positive tests. More uniform testing between jurisdictions. Get the different states to make mandatory licensing requirements for all off-track stabling facilities."

Tad says his long-term goals are to continue his role as a well-respected leader in the industry.

"Ten years from now I hope to continue to contribute to the success and growth of harness racing at The Meadowlands and throughout the industry," he added.