from the Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame

Saratoga Springs, NY — The Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame & Museum’s annual induction ceremony/open house will take place on Tuesday (June 11) at the Museum, located at 352 Jefferson St., Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The museum is located off the Jefferson St. entrance to Saratoga Casino & Raceway.

This year’s inductees are horseman John Stark, Jr. and Standardbred Tye Dye.

John Stark, Jr.

Stark, a long-time owner/trainer/driver, has had a stellar career spanning more than three decades at Saratoga.

He trained and drove the 2001 Horse of the Year Bunny Lake, who was inducted into the Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame in 2009 and into the national Hall of Fame in Goshen in 2010.

Tye Dye was a hard racing pacing mare who climbed through the claiming ranks at Saratoga, competing in the top Filly & Mare classes.

She was trained locally by George Merton, Jr.

Dave Oxford photos

Tye Dye and driver Brian Cross hit the finish line on top.

Overall her lifetime stats were 363 starts, 63 firsts, 66 seconds and 55 thirds, hitting the board an incredible 51 percent of the time. Her lifetime earnings totaled $304,468, and she hit her lifetime mark of 1:53.4 as a 10-year-old.

In addition, we will be presenting the third annual Virginia O’Brien Memorial 110% Award. This year we will be honoring Cheryl McGivern.

This award honors individuals who devote their life to the pursuit of the sport of harness racing, such as a groom or backstretch worker, who might not otherwise be in the limelight. The nominees are chosen by their peers from the Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association.

The gates will open for the event at 5:30 p.m., with the ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments and light food will be served.

For more information contact Director Dave Oxford at 518.526.3138 or e-mail doxford@nycap.rr.com.