by John Manzi, for the Monticello-Goshen chapter, USHWA

Monticello, NY — Chris Tully has about as good a background in harness racing as anyone his age and his lifelong involvement in the sport has been an asset to whomever he has worked for or with.

Recently hired as the general manager of Goshen Historic Track, Tully, the longtime president of the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association, was elected second vice president of the national organization at the end of February.

Chris Tully is the new second vice president of USHWA.

Tully, 42, the son of the late Hall of Famer Phil Tully, was weaned on harness racing, working hand and hand with his dad at their Woodstock Stud in Bethel, N.Y.

“Back when dad was alive we had the exclusive contract to hold auctions at the horse sales at the Meadowlands (Racetrack) and we sold up to $40 million worth of horses each year. Our sales offices were in Monticello and during those years I was the sales manager for both Woodstock Stud and Garden States Sales Company,” Tully said.

For many years Tully was the USTA District 8 director and he also spent quite a few seasons competing in the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series. During the 1993 season Tully was named Amateur Driver of the Year.

His election to national office has him elated and grateful.

“I was a USTA director for nine seasons and I’m happy to be active once again and I certainly appreciate the confidence bestowed on me by my fellow harness writers in making me the second VP,” he added.

Tully , who resides with his fiancé in Rock Hill, N.Y., will work his way up the chairs to eventually become USHWA President. When he does he will join four other Monticello-Goshen chapter USHWA members who also rose to the ranks of president. They include the late Allen J. Finkleson and the late Phil Pines, as well as Monticello Raceway’s John Manzi and Ed Palladino, the longtime sports editor of the Kingston Freeman and the Albany Times-Union.