by Robert Lieberman

Plainville, MA — Todd Whitney is truly smelling the roses, because on Sunday, July 4, he received his Amateur Driver of the Year award as voted by the United States Harness Writers Association at the Harness Racing Museum in Goshen, N.Y. It was presented to him by President Peter Gerry of the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association, which represents the Billings Amateur Drivers Association.

Todd Whitney (right) receives his award from Peter Gerry.

Whitney, who is by far not very bashful, accepted his award and thanked all his friends for their support, the drivers, who are a very close knit family and his favorite sidekick, Lori Graffam. He extended an extra special thanks to Peter and brother Ebby Gerry for the very close support they showed to him over the years. He was truly appreciative of his award.

He could not get over the fact that Ron Waples could not make it for the Invitational Hall of Fame Trot, so he was asked to fill in for Waples and drive in a race with the likes of Cat Manzi, Jim Doherty, Mike Lachance, Bill O’Donnell, Wally Hennessey, Herve Filion and Dave Palone.

He looked at me and said, “I couldn’t believe what I had just heard and had her repeat it and then said to her, ‘are you sure you called the right number? You are talking to Todd Whitney,’ and she said ‘yes.’ How could you possibly not have a good day after you were told that. A little nervous, yes, but very excited.”

He finished up with, “no matter where I finish it will be a thrill of a lifetime.”

Unfortunately coming down the lane with a chance to finish in the money, he made a costly break and finished at the back of the pack, but for Whitney, he was thrilled, for he had raced with the greatest.

Now it’s Monday, July 5, and it’s time to leave Goshen to get back to Plainridge Racecourse to drive in two races on horses that he trains. The adrenaline is still pumped up from the night before and you guessed it. It continued to pour, just like the sweat was, as the temperature hit the upper 90s.

His first drive came in the second race aboard Just Jim, owned by Ed Fournier, Jr., which he won in a time of 1:59 and paid a whopping $27.60. It also included a new lifetime mark, beating the old mark of 2:02.1. Naturally it was a trot race!

His second victory came aboard the pacer Nine Innings for owner Don Harmon Sr. in another personal best of 1:54 and paid a bombshell worth $27.60.

For Todd Whitney, owner of a cement making company from way back, it appears that the adrenaline the harness writers brought out from him might never let up. He’s a hard worker and a class guy and you could tell that, because when he went up to accept his award the whole crowd stood up to congratulate him on his achievement.