by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — The Conger family is finding success in harness racing both on and off the racetrack.

Hudson, Ohio’s Jeff Conger trained Colby D to victory in the ninth race on Wednesday (Oct. 30) at Northfield Park, a mere two days after Harness Tracks of America announced that his daughter, Ashley, is one of three recipients of a $5,000 scholarship.

JJ Zamaiko photo

Colby D was a 1:58.3 winner on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s triumph marks the fifth win this year for Colby D (Emile Angus-Royal Two), who now has 13 career victories and earnings of $63,563.

Ashley, 17, is one of three recipients of the Harness Tracks of America’s annual scholarship program. She is a 2013 graduate of Hudson High School with a 3.8 GPA. She is a third-generation horsewoman with ties to harness racing that began with her grandfather, Joe Urban. As an owner, trainer and driver, Urban has been involved with racing horses for 45 years. He campaigned horses such as Anastasia Brat and Anastasia AJ.

Ashley’s parents, Jeff and Linda, have been involved with racing as owners/trainers and have both driven horses. Jeff campaigned Northfield Park Wall of Fame inductee Berlin Flyer. He has 650 driving wins with purses totaling nearly $3 million and Linda has 153 driving victories to her credit.

Ashley received her groom’s license in 2012 and has spent a great deal of her free time working with her family in the Standardbred industry. She has also been active in 4-H, holding officer positions within two clubs, both as secretary and president.

Ashley is currently a freshman at the University of Findlay where she plans to study Pharmacology. She was one of 25 applicants this year, according to Delight Craddock, administrator of the HTA scholarship program.

This year marks the 40th year that the HTA has granted scholarships and have given 199 scholarships to 138 different individuals, for a total of $747,950.