by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — Ron Waples will join the field for the Hall of Fame drivers race at Goshen Historic Track, the annual $10,000 Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot, to be held Sunday (July 5). Post time is 1 p.m.

Waples drove Park Avenue Joe in the 1989 Hambletonian dead heat race-off with Probe and driver Bill Fahy. He’s also won nearly 7,000 races, including two Little Brown Jugs (Ralph Hanover-1983 and Fake Left-1992) along with $74.2 million in purse earnings.

The slate for that race brings together a “Who’s Who” of harness racing talent. John Campbell, David Miller, Bill O’Donnell, Dick Stillings, Jimmy Takter and Wally Hennessey will all compete that day.

Ron Pierce, recovering from neck and back surgery this spring, is a possibility as he is nearing the end of his rehabilitation. His participation will be confirmed as the date draws closer.

Collectively, the confirmed participants have won 13 Little Brown Jugs and 11 Hambletonians as trainers or drivers, along with nearly 52,000 races and $875 million in purse earnings.

The race honors the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry; their sons Elbridge and Peter will be on hand to present the trophy. After the race, the drivers will meet fans and autograph photos.

Goshen Historic Track is located at 44 Park Place in Goshen; admission is $5 for adults (includes program) and children are free. For more information, go to www.goshenhistorictrack.com or call 845.294.5333. The hashtag for this year’s events is #harnessgoshen.