from the Harness Horse Youth Foundation

Westfield, IN — The $1.2 million Hambletonian is the major draw on Saturday’s Meadowlands card, but for a trio of teenagers, the featured race will take place several hours earlier.

Matthew Stoner, 15, of South Bend, Ind.; Rebecca Randall, 13, of Prattsburgh, N.Y.; and Besim Odza,14, of Garfield, N.J., will face-off in the Harness Horse Youth Foundation’s exhibition final at 11:15 a.m., driving three of the Foundation’s Trottingbreds.

The three teens were selected after attending HHYF camps earlier this summer, based on their level of interest and dedication, along with the horsemanship they displayed during their five-day event. The post draw, with horse and professional driving assistant is:

Post 1-Little Hicktown, Besim Odza (assisted by Tim Tetrick)-(representing Goshen Historic Track camp)
Post 2-Ima’s Hit, Rebecca Randall (assisted by Corey Callahan)-(representing Vernon Downs camp)
Post 3-Royal Attire, Matthew Stoner (assisted by Yannick Gingras)-(representing Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs camp)

With the support of Bill Augustine, the co-owner of 2012 Hambletonian winner Market Share, HHYF representatives will be selling Winner’s Circle Blueberries from a tent in Paddock Park on Hambletonian Day, with all proceeds supporting the organization.

The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. The Foundation has been making a difference in young people’s lives since 1976, and its programs include interactive learning experiences with these versatile animals, scholarship programs, and creation and distribution of educational materials.

For more information on opportunities through HHYF, or to support its mission, go to www.hhyf.org.