Harness Racing History Makes ESPN News

Looking for a great story about harness racing history? Check out this article from ESPN about 1929 Hambletonian Stakes winner Walter Dear and his driver, Charlie Mills.

Just for Kids

Looking for a great harness racing magazine just for kids? Look no further than Youth Beats and Trot 4 Kids!

Youth Beats, published by the USTA, is like Hoof Beats, but specifically for kids! Their publication, published two to four times a year, is available for free. They also have a great website with tons of activities and digital copies of current and back issues of the magazine.

Trot 4 Kids is from the publishers behind the great Canadian harness racing magazine, Trot. Trot 4 Kids appears as a four-page insert in every issue of Trot or is available for download online.

Both publications are an exciting way to read all about our great sport!

2009 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Did you miss the 2009 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony? Have no fear! The U.S. Trotting Association was on the scene and produced this great video that highlights some of our inductees:



Check out their YouTube Channel for more great videos!

A Word from the Audience

Recently, the blogger behind A Horse and a Half came to visit the Museum and thought we were worthy of blogging about.

Check out what OnTheBit had to say about her visit.

If you've visited the Museum, let us know! We have our Museum survey, Win, Place or Show? located in the Clubhouse on our second floor, but we always love to know more. Send us links to your blog posts anytime by contacting our Education Department. We'd love to hear from you!

Trot 4 Kids' Junior Announcer Contest

Willie Win and Taylor Trot of Trot 4 Kids' Willie's Woes cartoon.

From Standardbred Canada:

"Do you want to be the voice of harness racing? Kids, get an early start on this exciting career by entering the Trot 4 Kids Junior Announcer Contest.

The contest requires you to call an actual harness race play-by-play in under two minutes time! It’s a tough job; you need a good memory, clear voice and accuracy, but it’s like no thrill you’ve ever experienced.

Entering this contest is easy! Just go to williewin.blogspot.com to pick the race that you want to announce and download its program page. Then email your unique call of the race in an MP3 audio file to williewin@standardbredcanada.ca before the deadline of August 15, 2009.

There are two categories, one for 10-year-olds and under, and another for those between the ages of 11 and 14. Finalists from each category will be declared on August 24. From September 1 to 4 we will post the winners' race calls on the Standardbred Canada website so everyone can vote for their favourite.

The winner of each category will be announced on September 8 and will receive a Trot 4 Kids prize package valued at $200, including lunch or dinner for four at your local track and a VIP behind-the-scenes tour and race presentation."

PDF files of the race programs can be found at the conclusion of the article.

Don't forget to stop by the Museum where you can practice on our very own Call a Race exhibit. We even have a special script just for kids!

Welcome!

We are very excited to bring you Whinnies from the Winner's Circle, the official blog of the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame. Join us as we work to bring the Museum's mission--to preserve, celebrate and encourage the great sport of harness racing--to the digital audience. Keep up with all of our weekly happenings at the Museum, read the thrilling tales of harness heroes and heroines past and present and learn about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the Museum's day-to-day operations.

Don't forget to become a fan on Facebook! We're also on Flickr, too.