Harvey Stein is with the Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association.
1 How does SHHA benefit the sport of harness racing? The Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association speaks as a strong, unified voice on behalf of horsepersons and harness racing across the U.S. and Canada. From working to improve health insurance and sulky insurance to developing contract negotiations and matters concerning the Gaming Commission, SHHA is an advocate for harness racing and the people who earn their living from it, and currently represents more than 1,200 individuals involved in the sport. 2 How did you get involved in SHHA? Thirty years ago, I first became involved in harness racing as a practicing veterinarian, and later became an owner, amateur driver, and trainer in California. I grew to become so involved in harness racing that I was offered a position on the Board of the California Harness Horsepersons Association in 1991 and served until 2005. Upon moving to New York, I joined SHHA because it gives me a platform to remain an active voice on behalf of the harness racing industry. I am able to help ensure the health and public celebration of Saratoga Harness. I believe I bring a diverse perspective to SHHA as both a former Californian, in light of the rise and fall of California racing. My veterinary training was also spread out over five years in Italy, where I experienced harness racing from a European perspective. 3 For people who aren’t familiar with harness racing, explain its appeal and how it differs from thoroughbred racing. Harness racing takes place at a specific gait, a trot or a pace, and pulls a twowheeled cart called a sulky with a driver. It offers a more hands-on experience for horse owners. For example, I learned how to drive trotters and eventually train trotters as an owner — an experience I would not have had in thoroughbred racing. In harness racing, horses often compete weekly, while in thoroughbred racing, horses need much more time to recover and will often only race every three weeks. Harness racing offers Standardbred owners more action with their investment. No matter how a single race turns out, there is always next week. 4 In what major ways has harness racing grown or changed throughout your career? Harness racing has evolved at a rapid rate. Standardbreds used to be a largeboned and large-headed workhorse, but today they have been replaced by a sleeker, faster horse. Training methods and equipment have changed, too. My first horses were tied into their jog carts and sulkies, which today have been replaced by the quick hitch. Training hours have also become much longer, altering
trainers’ schedules. Training one and a half miles rather than the standard mile with two or three trips has also changed the way many trainers work. 5 What harness racing events do the people of Saratoga have to look forward to? Saratoga’s premier harness racing event is the Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace, held every summer at Saratoga Harness Track. The race brings together some of the nation’s best pacers. Last year, the race brought in the 2015 Harness Horse of the Year, four year-old Wiggle It Jiggle It, who amassed over $2.8 million dollars in lifetime winnings. The New York Sires Stakes also holds events at Saratoga Harness Track throughout the summer, highlighting the best two and three year old Standardbred horses of both gaits and sexes.