from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — David Clotts, 68, of Columbus, Ohio and Key West, Fla., died June 20, 2014, after a brief illness.

He was a man of many interests, but his passion was harness racing. He had been introduced to horse racing through his mother, Lucille Clotts, who took him to the local Thoroughbred track when he was young. When he realized that he was going to be too big to be a jockey, his interest switched to harness racing at his local track, Scioto Downs.

In the late 1960s, he attended the USTA Officials School and became certified as a charter and later paddock judge. He was paddock judge in the early 1970s at Wheeling Downs in West Virginia.

By trade Mr. Clotts was a brick mason, so most of his life he worked to support his love of horses. His goal was to drive his own horses and he accomplished that goal in 1974. He raced primarily at Scioto Downs from 1972 to 2003. In the winter, he also raced at the other three tracks in Ohio.

He passed on his love of horses to his children, Shelley and Mark, both of whom participated in the OHHA Youth Races in the early 1980s. Shelley ultimately got her qualifying license and Mark became licensed to drive at the pari-mutuel tracks.

Mr. Clotts was able to retire to Key West with his beloved companion, Paula. He is survived by his children, Shelley (Charlie) Neff and Mark (Trish); grandchildren, Sydney Neff, Rachel Neff, Max, Ben and Katelyn; his former wife of 32 years, Anne Clotts Cooper; and his dear friends of many years, Bill and Sally Robinson, owners of two-time Older Pacing Horse of the Year, Won The West.