by Evan Pattak for The Meadows

Washington PA — Dick Stillings, who was elected to harness racing’s Living Hall of Fame this summer, added another laurel Friday at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino when he passed $40 million in career purses.

Chris Gooden photo

Dick Stillings passed $40 million in career purses on Friday at The Meadows.

Fittingly, he achieved the milestone when he piloted Rembrandt Spur, the co-holder of The Meadows all-age trotting record (1:52.2) that Stillings trains for Richard Davis, to victory in the 13th race.

A native of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Stillings, 68, is renowned for his horsemanship as well as his driving and training skills. As a driver, he captured the 1987 Little Brown Jug with Jaguar Spur, two Breeders Crowns (Kentucky Spur, 1988; Esquire Spur, 1989) and a pair of Yonkers Trots (Gunslinger Spur, 1986; Cheyenne Spur, 1990). In 1986, he became the first locally based driver to win the Delvin Miller Adios, The Meadows’ premier event, with Barberry Spur.

Stillings continues to train the “Team Spur” stable and drive a full complement of horses, as evidenced by his 14 assignments on Friday’s 15-race card.

In the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot, Victory Is Coming, the lone mare in the field, showed the boys how it’s done when she came second over for Mike Wilder to score in a career-best 1:53.3. Jessesjo was second, 1-3/4 lengths back, with Fox Valley Smarty third.

Ammon Hershberger trains the 5-year-old daughter of Victory Sam-Norse Comer, who now has banked $317,908, for Betty Shaw and John Red Shaw.

Wilder drove four winners on the program while Stillings and Brian Zendt each enjoyed a triple.