Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

USHWA Announces People Awards

December 12, 2006

John Campbell, the all-time leader at the Meadowlands, was voted the United States Harness Writers Association’s Driver of the Year for 2006. Campbell was among the six honorees selected for the “people” honors and will receive his award at USHWA’s annual banquet, the Night of Stars, on February 25, 2007 at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.

Campbell, the leading money winner in the sport with more than $240 million, added nearly $8.8 million this year despite having his season cut short on October 21 with a fractured leg suffered in an accident in a Breeders Crown elimination race at Woodbine.

Campbell, 51, was enjoying his best year since 2002. At the time of his spill, he had 183 wins and finished in the money with 541 of 1,427 mounts. He piloted Triple Crown winning three-year-old trotter Glidemaster to victory in the first two legs of the series – the Hambletonian on August 5 and the Kentucky Futurity on October 7. Campbell possesses an unprecedented six Hambletonian trophies. Other major stakes wins in 2006 came with Gerri’s Joy in the Merrie Annabelle, Feelin Friskie in the Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic, Pampered Princess in the Oakville and Ponder in the US Pacing Championship.

Michael J. “Mickey” Burke, who currently tops the Meadowlands’ fall meet standings, will receive the Glen Garnsey Memorial Trainer of the Year Award. Burke, 70, from Fredericktown, Pennsylvania, comes into the final three weeks of the year with an overall record of 427 wins, 321 seconds and 286 thirds from 2,068 starters who have banked more than $5.5 million. His New Jersey operation, under son Ron, has amassed nearly $1.6 million of that at the Meadowlands in 2006 with a raceway stable that has 69 wins, 64 seconds and 67 thirds from 452 starters through December 11.

Brittany Farms of Versailles, Kentucky, was selected as the Norman Woodworth Owner of the Year. A highlight of the season was August 5 at the Meadowlands when Brittany captured both the Hambletonian with Glidemaster and the Hambletonian Oaks with Passionate Glide. Both of these two trotters are top contenders for Horse of the Year honors.

Other awards include the Rising Star Award: Jody Jamieson; the Breakthrough Award: Jason Settlemoir; and the Proximity Award: Jeff Gural.