Billie Schwartz
continues family love of the sport
By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
Billie Schwartz, who lost her
husband Michael after his untimely death in 1999 after 35 years of marriage,
has continued to carry on as a proud California owner and breeder and also
recently returned to a seat on the California Harness Horsemen’s Association
board.
“Michael and I met at
Monticello Raceway in upstate New York,” Billie related. “We both had a love
for harness racing even then, but only as fans.”
The couple eventually moved
to California, and as Michael became more successful in his professional life,
they decided to become more involved in harness racing. They chose Ross Croghan
to be their trainer, which right there was a very good move.
“We attended our first
yearling auction in 1981 and purchased our first yearling, Best of Dani, for
$3,500,” Billie recalled. “He was a late foal, a big strapping beautiful horse,
and didn’t race until he was a 3-year-old.”
Best of Dani went on to
become the California Horse of the Year in 1983 under Croghan’s direction,
banking a then very cool $110,000. “I remember thinking “My, how easy is this?’
We should have lots of horses. That’s when the love affair with the horses
really was born.
“I can’t tell you the
excitement that occurred whenever Dani raced. He came from behind and could go
first over, like no other horse I have ever owned. In those days, there was
really tough competition, which made his wins even more exciting.
“The winner’s circle was
thrilling, filled with friends and well wishers. Even today, Dani holds the
world record for winning a mile and five-eighths marathon over some highly
competitive peers.”
Best of Dani’s groom was
Nicole Kraft, who would go on to become editor of Hoofbeats magazine. When the
horse was retired, Michael and Billie gave the pacer to his faithful and loving
groom.
“Every time the magazine
needed a generic picture of a horse, she used a picture of Dani, because he was
such a beautiful looking animal,” Billie noted.
Over the years, the Schwartz
stable campaigned hundreds of horses. When Croghan decided to go East, Michael
chose James Wilkinson Jr. to be their trainer. “It was a wise choice,” Billie
said.
Due to Michael Schwartz’
success in business, he was able to retire at a young age. This gave him time
to become involved in the California Harness Horse Association, where he
dedicated himself to helping horsemen and furthering the promotion of the sport
in California.
He served as President of the
CHHA for a number of years, and during that time mastered the art of the deal,
including several positive interactions with Los Alamitos owner Ed Allred,”
Billie noted. “Michael negotiated the harness lease at Los Alamitos and the
game was thriving in the state.”
Billie’s passion for the
sport has continued after Michael’s untimely passing, having bred and raced
numerous California Horses of the Year in partnership with Wilkinson. “Jim and
I have weathered the many challenges that California harness racing has
incurred and continues to face,” she noted.
“We continue to try to keep
our ship afloat over these very turbulent waters. We have remained loyal to
California and cannot understand why this state, the richest in the nation,
cannot support harness racing, a sport that has been woven into its very fabric
for over 100 years.
“We have bought horses at
auctions and at times have had to import semen to impregnate our mares because
of the diminishing returns from the California Sire Stakes program. California
must remain competitive with other states as well as being innovative in
delivering its product to a new generation.
“We need to look at
successful venues and see what works and implement these policies here in
California. We need to be aggressive in promoting the excitement of the sport.”
Billie recalled two decades
ago when she used to assist fellow California owner Eileen Brodbar in running
the “Clocker’s Corner” program at Los Alamitos. Fans were invited to hear
owners, trainers, drivers and handicappers and were given free programs along
with free donuts and coffee.
“I recall that the most
valuable freebie was when we had a drawing for a ride that evening in the
starting car and a picture in the winner’s circle. It created excitement and
from that we had people who wanted the experience of owning their own horse.
“We need to bring that magic
back again,” Billie said.
Sire Stakes, pair of
Open Paces spotlighted
Uringoodhands, who dominated
his peers last season, looks to pick up another added-money score in Saturday
night’s $10,000 California Sire Stakes for the 4-year-old pacing males.
There will also be a pair of
co-featured $6,000 Open Paces, with Bettormeboy and Party Hangover Two getting
top billing in those events, respectively.
The Sire Stakes will be the
opener on the 13-race program with first post set for 6:15 p.m. There will be
no live racing Super Bowl Sunday, with a return to the regular Saturday/Sunday
schedule next week.
Uringoodhands is a son of
Kent’s On Nuke out of the Surmo Hanover mare Sparks Will Fly who is owned and
was co-bred by Mark Anderson, hails from the Gordie Graham barn and as usual
has James Kennedy in the sulky.
The dark-hued performer comes
into this assignment having posed for pictures following eight of his 11
lifetime trips to the post. He closed out his 2015 campaign with a facile Sire
Stakes score back in April and has continued his winning ways in a pair of
conditioned victories this season.
Uringoodhands has made every
pole a winning one in both of those scores with Kennedy at the controls,
including a sizzling 1:53 1/5 tour last week over a track labeled “good” He is
strictly the one to beat this weekend. Taking him on are Musician,
Laissezmopicoler, Hi Ho Houdini, Sounion, Ladi Machette Man, Hi Ho’s Little
Rev.
***********
And a reminder there are two
wagers that come with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate. They are the 50-cent
Pick 5, which this season features a 25 percent minor pool payout; and the
20-cent Pick 4, which on Saturday comes with an increased $40,000-guaranteed
gross pool.
