Newest honorees in Goshen

Wally Hennessey, Phil Langley, and Jim Arthur have been elected to harness racing’s highest honor, membership in the sport’s Living Hall of Fame, in balloting conducted by the U.S. Harness Writers Association which closed Wednesday. Elected to the Communicators Corner of the Hall of Fame were Ray Brienza, Marie Hill, Dean Hoffman, and John Manzi.

Hennessey, a native of Maritime Canada, has shown himself to be a top horseman at the highest levels of the sport, winning four Breeders Crown and numerous other stakes events. He will forever be associated with the wonderful trotting mare Moni Maker, Harness Horse of the Year in 1998 and 1999 and a winner of $5.6 million at the races.

Langley followed in the footsteps of his father, a noted Midwest racing official, and established himself as one of the premier racing secretaries in the world on the high-level Chicago circuit. His insight and talents are currently being utilized as the progressive president of the U.S. Trotting Association.

Arthur was a well-known trainer and driver from the 50s to the 70s, campaigning horses such as 1975 Horse of the Year Savoir and the free-for-all pacing terror Overcall. He also won the 1961 Hambletonian with Harlan Dean, a year when he topped North America for driving percentage.

Brienza has covered harness racing for the Newark Star-Ledger from before The Meadowlands opened in 1976, but his primary achievements have come writing entertainingly and with style about the horses, humans, and races that are the standouts at the world’s leading harness track.

Hill, who had her first writing byline at age 11, has covered harness racing for major trade magazines, but she is best known in the sport as a prolific book author, writing about racehorse-stallion star Adios, fellow native Canadian Joe O’Brien, and Single G, “The Horse That Time Forgot.”

Hoffman has also authored several books on the sulky sport, including tomes on Hanover Shoe Farm, Castleton Farm, and the 75th edition of the Hambletonian. Dean was editor of the acclaimed Hoof Beats magazine for over two decades before assuming his present role as Director of Planning and Senior Hoof Beats Editor for the USTA.

Manzi, a disciple of the late publicity guru Allen Finkelson, is known as one of the most creative forces in the sport, putting on promotions that few dare try but which come off due to John’s good-natured handling. He also serves as publicist of the Billings Amateur Driving Association.

The septet will be doubly honored: first at the Harness Writers’ annual awards banquet on February 25, 2007 at the Borgata in Atlantic City, and then being formally inducted during the Hall of Fame Weekend in Goshen, N.Y. over the Fourth of July.

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