Campbell wins final US start
July 2, 2017,by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications
Goshen, NY — In his final U.S. drive, John Campbell won for the 10,668th time, adding a final win to his career as harness racing’s top money-winning driver in the $10,000 Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot at Goshen (N.Y.) Historic Track.
Tim Bojarski photo
John Campbell wins his very last drive in the U.S. to cap off one of the most prolific careers in all of sports.
The race, contested for Hall of Fame drivers, capped off a career of over 40 years for Campbell, with 38 seasons of more than $1 million in purse earnings and a total of approximately $300 million worldwide earned by horses he drove. Although Campbell’s international earnings in countries other than Sweden are not known, his official Swedish earnings are $6,888,479 kronor. Using annual conversion rates that equates to approximately $979,656 in U.S. dollars.
Campbell, driving Pig Hunt from post eight, was well off the early pace set by driver Dave Palone and Keep It Sweet, who got to the quarter-mile marker in :28.4 and the half in 1:58.4 before yielding the lead to David Miller and Screaming Conway at the 1:29.1 three-quarters.
Campbell had Pig Hunt on the outside and moving up on the leaders and was second by the head of the stretch. He drew off to win by a 1-1/4 lengths in 1:59.
Pig Hunt is owned by Jennifer and Janice Connor and trained by Janice Connor. Screaming Conway (David Miller) was third and Toss Cartwright (Bill O’Donnell, also making his final U.S. drive) was third.
“Winning never gets old,” said Campbell after the race. “I always want to win. I thought I had a chance to win this one at the three quarters. She (Pig Hunt, the 5-year-old daughter of Conway Hall) was strong throughout the race and from the three quarters on, she stayed that way.”
After the race, Campbell and other Hall of Famers, Dave Palone, Dick Stillings, Jimmy Takter and Bill O’Donnell, stayed for 90 minutes to sign photos and programs, pose for photos and greeted hundreds of fans.
- Campbell and O’Donnell line up at Goshen on Sunday (Friday, June 30, 2017)
When John Campbell gets behind the gate at Goshen Historic Track on Sunday (July 2) for the Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot (race four at approximately 2 p.m.), he’ll see a familiar face to his left. In post eight, driving the trotter Pig Hunt, Campbell will be next to Bill O’Donnell, driving Toss Cartwright from post seven. It will be the last race in the U.S. for both men, who are Canadian-born.
- A special night for Campbell (Friday, June 30, 2017)
John Campbell didn’t mind a slow pace Friday night (June 30). This drive was special. It was his final trip to The Meadowlands Racetrack winner’s circle.Campbell, the leading money-winning driver in harness racing history and winningest driver in the history of The Meadowlands, raced at the Big M for the final time Friday. He capped his career at the North Jersey oval in storybook fashion, winning his final two starts in front of numerous family members, friends, and appreciative fans.
- A home start at Goshen (Saturday, July 01, 2017)
Janice Connor won’t have to leave home to race Real Rayenbow on Monday (July 3) at Goshen’s Historic Track, which is part of the enjoyment of being stabled at the upstate New York oval. Historic Track is in the midst of hosting its annual Grand Circuit meet, highlighted Monday by eight Landmark Stakes divisions plus three races for amateur drivers.