Tony Hall wins 2,000th career race

Tony Hall scored his 2,000th career win when he drove Beau Willee to victory in the fourth race on Monday at The Meadows.

Hall, 29, grew up in Carlisle, Ohio near Lebanon Raceway, where he decided as a child to make his career in harness racing.

“I've been around horses since I was three,” he said. “Since I was a kid, that was my thing. When other kids were playing sports, I knew when I got home from school I would be going to the barn with my dad.”

Hall began driving at Lebanon in 1997 and, a couple of driving titles later, shifted to Northfield Park. In 2006, he relocated to The Meadows and became the go-to driver for trainer Randy Bendis.

“After I got hooked up with Randy, nothing but great things happened for me,” he said. “He's given me a lot of quality stakes drives and the opportunity to drive horses at the Meadowlands for him.”

At The Meadows this year, Hall ranks second to Dave Palone in wins, earnings and UDR, a performance that has impressed John Marshall, vice president for racing at The Meadows.

“He's done very well in an extremely competitive drivers colony,” Marshall said. “I foresee major accomplishments ahead for him.”

Hall already has landed assignments in the Little Brown Jug and The Adios; his third-place finish with Pan Giovanni in the 2007 Adios helped trainer Mickey Burke to a one-two-three sweep.

“I definitely would like to win a big race--a Hambletonian, Jug or Adios--at least once in my career,” Hall said. “That would be a life achievement. I don't expect it anytime soon, but having the opportunity to drive in those races is a goal for me.”

Only one thing was missing from Hall's 2,000th win--his unique winner's circle signature. While getting his picture taken, Hall pats his heart, touches his lips as if to blow a kiss, and points skyward. The routine is a message to his fiancé, Nanci Lisbon.

“It was kind of a joke starting out,” Hall said. “When Nanci can't come to the races, she watches on TV. She said, 'You need to do something to let me know you're thinking of me.' She's been a big inspiration to me. I get pretty down when I'm in a slump, and she's always there to help me through.”

He didn't need to deliver a private message on Monday; his fiancé was with him to celebrate his milestone victory. But expect to see plenty of the “Hall Heart Pat” in the future. (The Meadows)

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