Oxon Hill, MD — In this industry, there is no greater feeling than sharing our sport.

In 2023, the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association met Finn Cusick and his namesake, Finn the Fox. Finn was an energetic and vibrant 9-year-old boy that in November 2022 was diagnosed with DIPG, a rare and aggressive cancer with an average overall survival of less than one year in children.

Finn the Fox, a stuffed fox, was the conception of Finn’s sisters, Charlotte and Evie. With their parents, Carrie and Greg, they wanted Finn to experience as many adventures as he could in the time that he had. Finn the Fox became a positive way to bring awareness to DIPG, as well as connect Finn with others and for their adventures and experiences to be shared.

The CSOA, always up for an adventure, quickly decided to stand by Finn in his fight against DIPG. Finn the Fox was the first to visit members of the CSOA and Rosecroft. Finn’s beloved fox was given an inside look into harness racing with a paddock tour, starting car ride, and a trip to the winner’s circle with Rosecroft’s leading driver, Jonathan Roberts, then he snuck into the driver’s locker room to try on a pair of driver’s colors before being caught by Eric Davis.

Finn the Fox had so much fun with CSOA and Rosecroft that he invited Finn and his entire family to a night a races. In mid-May, the Cusick Family and their friends enjoyed an evening at the races to help raise awareness for DIPG and Finn’s Fierce Fight. Finn was unable to attend due to side effects of his treatment; however, Evie and Charlotte attended in honor of their brother. They enjoyed starting car rides and trips around the track in a double-seated cart. The featured race of the night was the “Xolata Trotal Pace,” which Finn named.

Family and friends of Finn Cusick gathering in the Rosecroft winner’s enclosure. Submitted photo.

During Finn’s family vacation to Ocean City, Md., his family joined CSOA and Ocean Downs for another incredible night of adventure and raising awareness for DIPG. Evie and Charlotte unveiled the official “Finn the Fox” Adoption Center, made possible by a generous donation from trainer Michael Hall. Family and friends again enjoyed starting car rides and double-seated cart rides around the track. The featured race of the evening was the “Lazy Lubert Pace,” named by Finn. Sadly, fighting DIPG had taken its toll on Finn and he was unable to attend despite his best efforts.

The CSOA and the Maryland Racing Commission presented Finn’s family with his very own Maryland Racing Commission driver’s license and a set of official driver colors, which he chose. Thus, Finn became the youngest licensed harness driver ever in the State of Maryland at the age of 10. Finn was beyond excited and continuously told his father, “No, really, I can drive a horse now.”

The CSOA learned of Finn’s passing on Dec. 3, and its membership is heartbroken with the loss of Finn and all the possibilities of the future that were stolen. Through the efforts and support of the CSOA, Rosecroft and Ocean Downs, over $15,000 was raised in honor of Finn Cusick for DIPG research. The CSOA will continue to support the Cusick family and raising awareness for DIPG so that hopefully one day another parent will not have to experience the loss of a child to DIPG.