by Jerry Connors, for the Keystone Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association

Prospect, PA — Even though the races were cancelled at the Big Butler Fair Thursday morning, there was an awards presentation to the McMullen Stable by the Keystone Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association for being the “State Small Stable of the Year” for 2012.

Keystone Chapter USHWA photo

Communicators Hall of Famer Roger Huston, a director of Keystone USHWA, made the presentation to stable patriarch John McMullen, Jr. and his wife, Judy.

With only a handful of horses, the stable sent 24 charges to Victory Lane in 2012, tied for third among all outfits on the circuit. Their “queen,” and the “Queen of the PA Fairs” in 2012, was Lady Broadway, the only fair performer to both accumulate the most points during the summer season and also take down her Fair Championship event at The Meadows last fall.

Sold for a reported six figures over the winter to the Oakes Stable, Lady Broadway has already earned $109,111 in 2013, with two victories and a second in pari-mutuel Sire Stakes competition.

In the first two fair weekends of 2013, the McMullens have sent out three winners, including Monroe County, a 3-year-old filly who tied the all-time track trotting record at Meadville last Sunday with a 2:02.3 mile. Also, 6-year-old Owen McMullen, with his first horse, Mr Weaver, has already had a trip to the winner’s circle to greet his victorious trotter.