Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Odds On Racing's

Personality of the Month
for May 2011

Walter Russell, Jr.

Son of Hall of Famer Sanders Russell, Walter Russell hails from Stevenson, Alabama. 83-years-young, and now retired and living outside of Atlanta, Walter was no stranger to the life of a groom, as his Dad was from the old school wehre offspring helped in the barn beginnign around the age of ten. Those younger years saw a lot of miles across the country from meet to meet, including county fairs.

Walter Russell, Jr.

Walter graduated from the University of Alabama with a BS in Music Education, and completed a MA in Music from Peabody College. He also obtained a Master in English from Vanderbilt University and a PhD in Humanities, from Emory. He taught at the university level at four different schools and introduced many a student to the sport of harness racing, in addition to attending Julliard and Oxford Universities.

Walter's first official job in harness racing was at Yonkers Raceway, as an Assistant Starter to the late Steve Phillips, inventor of the "motorized" starting gate. Not quite the background of a typical track official, but that being said, Walter took harness raicng officialdom to an entirely different level.

Judge Russell made a clear distinction from his predecessors and peers by establishing and maintaining a level of respect and decency that was lacking in officials' conduct to horsemen in many instances. He never raised his voice and always treated others as he would expect to be treated. Judge Russell was never impressed with power or authority, rather, he doled out fair and equitable justice for those matters requiring attention.

Walter developed a reputation for exacting executioin of procedures in the stand and exceptional abilities to listen and observe closely during hearings so that disputed matters would become crystallized to a significant essence, upon which were made fair and reasonable determinations. His reputation grew over the years to the poinst that he was the first Racing Official recruited to The Meadowlnads outside the NY/NJ area. He went on to officiate in nine states, with tracks along the Eastern Seaboard and Mid-Atlantic regions.

However, Walter's true love was The Red Mile. Lexington in October was always a magical time for Walter. The best trotters and pacers in the world were swinging into town on the Grand Circuit, the horse sales were buzzing with excitement in the evenings, and a veritable "who's who" of harness rcing assembled in the Clubhouse and Grandstand at the hallowed red clay oval. In addition to the excitement of current and future racing stars, Walter loved the architecture of the Stable of Memories, and the HTA Art Shows and auction.

But although this time of year brought a heightened social and racing scene together, Walter alwasy demanded fair play regarding the racing. Whether during the draw for the Kentucky Futurity or calling out a driver who was dropping a wheel down a tad too close under an optionless horse and driver team pinned on the rail, Judge Russell made sure that justice always prevailed.