by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — The next time you see Steve O’Toole, rub him for luck. The Plainridge Racecourse general manager and former driver-trainer has had quite a week.

Both skill and luck has played a big part in a week that O’Toole won’t forget.

O’Toole’s ‘week to remember’ began on Labor Day (Sept. 6) when the track staged its 11th tribute to Bert Beckwith and featured the running of the Stanley Bergstein Pace. O’Toole was among the drivers who took part in the popular Legends racing series and his victory in the final leg with Southview Johnnie earned him the $3,000 first prize.

With a beaming smile and a hug and pat on the back from his boss, Gary Piontkowski, O’Toole said after his victory, “anytime you get a good trip and have speed under you, you should do well.”

Thursday (Sept. 9) saw the ‘Luck of the Irish’ remain in O’Toole’s corner. In the $5,733 Massachusetts Sire Stakes for 2-year-old fillies his pacer, Welcometothebeach, finished a distant second to the winner, Artesa, who was placed third, moving O’Toole’s horse to the top spot.

The product of Clinton, Mass., O’Toole was a rising star in the harness racing ranks at nearby Foxboro before an injury forced him to the sidelines and into the management side.

His first horse purchased, with the help of his dad some 30 years ago, was Arnie Hanover whom he trained while still attending St. John’s in Shrewsbury, Mass.

Memories of this week’s success will long be remembered by O’Toole, especially as he dons his green and white driving colors for another year to race against the greats in the legends driving series such as Bruce Ranger, Peter Blood, Leigh Fitch, John Hogan, Greg Bowden, Willard Beckwith, Paul Battis, Jim Doherty and Elmer Smith.

Career win 986 will carry with it memories that will last O’Toole a lifetime.