A conversation with Ohio racing troubleshooter extraordinaire Amy Hollar

by Murray Brown

What’s a observe consultant and what does he or she do? I requested that query of Amy Hollar who has been a observe consultant for the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Affiliation for the final 32 years. Her territory covers Northfield Park and among the quite a few truthful tracks which have harness racing within the Buckeye State. Her comparable colleague within the southern a part of the state is Brett Merkle who handles the job at Scioto Downs, Miami Valley, Dayton Raceway and the gala’s in that space.

What’s it {that a} observe consultant for the OHHA does?

“When requested to explain what it’s that I do I suppose in a single phrase it is perhaps that I’m a troubleshooter. I look upon myself as a liaison between horsemen and observe administration. I believe that I not solely want to assist out in getting all sides collectively when an issue presents itself, but additionally, maybe extra importantly, to determine attainable issues and assist to attempt to nip them within the bud earlier than they even change into identifiable. Most of what I do takes place in and round Northfield Park. I’m there nearly day by day and virtually all racing nights. I like to think about myself as a folks particular person. I make it some extent to know each particular person’s vital different’s identify and to get to know their kids as properly. I believe that the variety of folks with whom I can not get alongside are few and much between. I prefer to suppose that of all of the pari-mutuel tracks in North America, there are only a few, if any, which have a greater rapport between administration and horsemen than what’s discovered at Northfield Park. More often than not we get alongside with none destructive points. On the comparatively uncommon events after they come alongside we get collectively and clear up them.”

I discover it fairly fascinating that Northfield and Yonkers are each harness tracks owned by the on line casino behemoth MGM. Not less than on the floor, it seems that Northfield appears to get alongside fairly properly with its horsemen, whereas in New York one can not all the time say the identical about what goes on.

“I don’t know. Perhaps at Yonkers it’s simply rising pains with MGM. Right here at Northfield, we’ve been collectively for for much longer, I suppose so to talk, the kinks have been labored out. I sense these in administration right here might need a greater really feel for racing and its wants and needs. This simply comes from guessing however I hope Yonkers horsemen and administration can work out their points.”

You might have been doing this for 32 years. How did you change into a observe consultant?

“I used to be born into harness racing. My grandad operated a pony experience at Ohio gala’s within the late ‘60s and he began our household’s racing historical past. My mother raced horses in Toledo at Raceway Park, Scioto and naturally many Ohio gala’s. We’re a harness household. My daughter and her fiancé, Todd Luther, make use of our youngest son and naturally my center sister Jennifer is married to Brian Brown. I graduated from The College of Toledo after assembly my husband and transferring from Kent State with a level in journalism. I by no means actually practiced it in any respect although. Within the late ‘80s not many roles have been being discovered at newspapers. My roots in racing simply hooked up themselves to me. On reflection, I can’t think about myself being extra comfortable and happy with what I do.”

What’s it that you just do on a day after day foundation?

“I look upon myself as primarily being, for lack of a greater time period, a horseman’s helper. If somebody on the observe has an insurance coverage downside, she or he can name me. If somebody wants assist with the racing workplace I’ll attempt to assist. If assist is required with paperwork concerning the USTA or the Racing Fee, I’ll attempt to assist and make a problem simpler on somebody. If I mess up, I actually take it to coronary heart and I do mess up.”

How do you look upon what I and lots of others name the current renaissance in Ohio harness racing?

“Isn’t it nice? Each section of our enterprise right here within the Buckeye state is on an upward swing. It wasn’t all that way back that we’d have been described as being on dying’s door. The breeders have been ravenous. The horsemen have been simply barely making a dwelling — if that. The breeding trade right here in Ohio is prospering as by no means earlier than. There was a time when extra mares have been bred in Ohio than anyplace else. By means of the years it stored diminishing to the purpose the place we turned an additionally ran. It now has regained its stature after which some. I actually admire the oldsters with lengthy histories in Ohio like Hickory Lane and Midland Acres who rode out the powerful years and at the moment are benefitting. Joe McLead and Billy Walters at their Sugar Valley Farm at the moment are standing a number of high stallions, particularly the stud I’m personally a fan of — Downbytheseaside — already among the many greatest pacing studs on the planet.

In a couple of phrases, let’s discuss a number of well-known Buckeye horseman:

Gene Riegle — “I can solely converse with reverence about Mr. Riegle. I’m positive the identical applies to most Ohio folks. He was arguably the best horseman ever from Ohio. He was an amazing coach and driver and an amazing issue within the development of the breed each out and in of his native state. Are you able to think about having skilled Artsplace, Western Hanover and Life Sign up subsequent years? Not solely an amazing horseman however an amazing household man.”

David Miller — “The Buckeye. As with most nice drivers, he’s a pure. He has been nice and is a good asset to harness racing wherever he has been. He’s the king of Delaware, Ohio amongst different locations. Nevertheless it’s at Delaware the place his mild has shone the brightest. He has gained extra races at Delaware, most of them stakes, than anybody ever.”

Brian Brown — “I’d say the identical of him even when he weren’t my brother-in-law. He is likely one of the best folks in Ohio. He works tougher than most males that I’ve identified in addition to my father. He paid his dues studying from his father and he honed his craft with one other nice Ohio horseman Ivan Sugg. By means of Brian’s success on the Grand Circuit I’ve been capable of journey to tracks and meet folks I by no means would have simply by staying in Ohio.”

Aaron Merriman — “I don’t know the way he does it with the schedule he retains. He’s consumed with driving. You requested me why he hasn’t tried the so referred to as ‘large time.’ I believe the reply is twofold: 1. He loves Ohio and I believe it could take an enormous carrot to get him to depart. 2. With the great purses in each Ohio and Pennsylvania, I believe that economically he feels he’s at a consolation stage staying the place he’s fairly than going to discover new territory the place he won’t really feel comparable satisfaction. I believe he’s pushed by the truth that sometime he may get the prospect to be primary in wins, even forward of Dave Palone. He virtually definitely can get to quantity two sustaining this similar schedule. It wouldn’t be straightforward to do this racing two nights every week at The Meadowlands. He’s Corridor of Fame certain for positive.”

Terry Holton — “Massive T was one of many nice Buckeyes. He’s terribly missed and liked by all who knew him. One factor that stands out about him is that there was not a jealous bone in that physique of his. He liked to see others do properly.

Jerry Knappenberger — “One other man who is very missed. He lived and breathed Ohio harness racing. He could be so happy with the inroads the game in Ohio has made since he left us. Nobody had an even bigger coronary heart for Ohio harness racing than Knappy.”

Brett Miller — “I really like Brett. He has a unprecedented nice disposition. This world could be a better place if we had extra folks like Brett.”

Ronnie Wrenn Jr. — “A terrific expertise. I prefer to check with him as my third son. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out my two precise sons, Carson and Aaron, and my daughter Toni Dale and naturally my husband of 30 years – Calvin. I usually make Buck the butt of my jokes, deservedly so, however I’m very happy with his potential to coach horses and help our household via very lean instances. My household and the Wrenns are very related which might be why Ronnie and I’ve change into so shut since he moved to northeast Ohio.”

Don Irvine Jr. — “In my view by way of expertise he’s an amazing driver and as a horseman he’s top-of-the-line. Donny shall be one of many first to say his demons bought in the best way many instances, however for a person in his early 70s he nonetheless appears to be on the high of his recreation. I do know by his secure and the situation of his horses, it’s proof to his nice horsemanship.”

Roger Huston — “There’s no one like our Roger. He simply turned 80 years previous. I don’t know any 60 yr olds who can accomplish as a lot as he can. I’m 54 and don’t look upon myself as a straggler, but I can’t come near maintaining with Roger’s schedule. He loves folks, he loves horses and he loves harness racing. That constitutes an amazing mixture.”

The place do you see harness racing within the close to future?

“In Ohio, I imagine it has an amazing future. Horsemen and girls don’t forget in regards to the wrestle it took to get us to the place we’re. I do fear about different states and hate seeing any racing alternatives disappear. I imagine one of many greatest virtues of harness racing in Ohio is our quite a few county gala’s. Households with youngsters get to be up shut and private with racing and horses. With out youngsters turning into followers our sport will disappear and what a loss it could be.”

Have a query or remark for The Curmudgeon? Attain him by e mail at: hofmurray@aol.com