Hanney,30, came to North America in 2007 where he could
pursue his harness racing career .
“Harness racing is a small industry back home ,”
Hanney told a scribe earlier this year. “Being single and not making any
progress in Ireland I decided to make a move to North America . Initially I
went to Canada but America is where everyone wants to be because that’s where
all the top drivers and top trainers are.”
In the states he began working for top trainers and in 2012
he opened his own stable. Last year he won 17 races in 101 starts and finished
with a respectable .263UDR. This year he’s handling a 15-horse stable and
competing at Freehold Raceway but longs to be a regular at the Meadowlands.
“I definitely look forward to going under the lights of
the Big M; everybody wants to do that who drives a horse,” Irish Joe says.
“I’ve driven there a few times already but I’m still looking for my first win
there.”
Joining “Irish” Joe will be former St Paddy
Pace winners, Jimmy Marohn, Jr., John McDermott, Mike Doherty and
defending champion, Jimmy Taggart, Jr. who won last years event with Prince
Aidid in 2:00.
Other probable starters include Cory Stratton and Rick
Harp. Still eight drivers are needed to have a complete field.
Any driver of Irish extraction who is interested in
competing must contact Warner in the race office at Monticello Raceway by
calling 845-794-4100 extension 557; or they can contact the track’s publicity
office at ext. 455.
