by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Herman Brickel, 72, a well-known racing official and former presiding judge at Scioto Downs, died June 25, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Brickel, whose lifelong career was in harness racing, also worked as the race secretary at a handful of racetracks, including Brandywine Raceway and Dover Downs in Delaware, Northfield Park in Ohio, and Hoosier Park in Indiana.

In addition to Standardbred administrative positions, Mr. Brickel was a successful breeder and also operated the Buckeye Standardbred Yearling Sale in Columbus for many years. Since his retirement about a decade ago, Mr. Brickel was a familiar figure at the annual Fall Grand Circuit meet at The Red Mile in Lexington, Ky.

From an avid harness racing family, he followed in the footsteps of his parents, Charles and Phyllis Brickel, who bred and raced 13-time winner Billy Dart p,3,1:54.2 ($178,013) and the fast filly Little Flo, a winner of 19 races and $130,046.

Mr. Brickel, a graduate of Wilmington College in Ohio, is survived by his wife of nearly eight years, Linda; a step-daughter; and three step-grandchildren.

Visitation is set for Saturday (June 30) from 2-5 p.m. at the Schoedinger Funeral Home, 3920 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday (July 1) at the United Methodist Church on Columbus Street in Grove City, Ohio.