by Jeff Zidek, for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association

Washington, PA — The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association hosted a very special event on Wednesday (June 24), the third annual Ruffner/Yoder Gun 23 Memorial Pace.

Chris Gooden photo

The Ruffner/Yoder Pace was won by Atta Boy Dan in a track record time of 1:49.2.

The event was named in honor of two fallen heroes, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Ruffner and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jarret Yoder. Both served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and lost their lives in a helicopter crash in April 2013.

Horseman Grant Boudreaux served in the same unit and helped to create the memorial race in May 2013, when he and his unit were still serving overseas.

The top race of the day was named in honor of Ruffner, Yoder and the 1st of the 104th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion of the Pennsylvania National Guard. In all, 20 members of the unit and their families were in attendance, along with several other veterans from the area. They enjoyed sulky rides around the track between races, and four members of the unit, including the battalion commander, took part in a match race, joined by four of The Meadows’ top drivers in two-seat jog carts.

The Ruffner/Yoder Pace itself was won by Atta Boy Dan in a track record time of 1:49.2. Following the race, many trainers and drivers came to the winner’s circle to be part of the photo and greet the veterans.

“It was an outstanding day,” said Boudreaux. “Most of these guys had never been around a horse, so to get to do the jog cart rides and participate in a match race, that was just wonderful. It was just a great day and we are all thankful to the MSOA for putting on such an outstanding program for us.”