Horse Play: Following in family footsteps

Taylor Gower looks to make career as harness racing driver.

By: Ken Weingartner
   Taylor Gower need not look far for advice when it comes to harness racing. The 19-year-old’s grandfather, Walter, has more than four decades of experience in the business.
   "He’s basically taught me the business from the ground up," Mr. Gower said. "I started with a pitchfork in my hands, cleaning stalls. It was the right thing to do. He’s the best teacher a young guy could have, really."
   Walter Gower bought his first racehorse in 1955, the same year he moved to Upper Freehold Township, where he still resides. Taylor has been working in the business for the past three years. He trains three horses, but his long-range goal is to become a catch driver at the Meadowlands.
   "The more I was around the horses, the more I got into it," said Mr. Gower, who graduated from Allentown High School in 2000. "Now, I’m knee-deep in it."
   Mr. Gower admitted his grandfather’s connections have made it easier for him to start in the sport. He picked up his biggest win, he said, in an amateur race during Hambletonian week at the Meadowlands last year. The horse, White Horizon, was owned by family friend Bill Vandervort. The victory came in his second drive.
   "That was great," Mr. Gower said. "That was my most special win so far. My whole family and friends were there. People dream about racing at the Meadowlands; to get my first win at the Meadowlands, it was great."
   He won his first race as a professional at Freehold in May.
   "Driving against the pros is a completely different ballgame," he said. "The first one is the hardest to get."
   Mr. Gower described his driving style as "conservative, but aggressive."
   "I don’t abuse a horse, but if I have horse, I’m going to use him to finish in the best spot," he said.
   Despite (or perhaps because of) his family’s involvement in harness racing, family members tried to dissuade Mr. Gower from entering the sport.
   "Everybody discouraged it as much as possible," Mr. Gower said. "If you look for another young trainer or driver, it’s hard to find. I think I’m the youngest driver at Freehold now. It’s a very tough business. But it was the right thing for me to do. So far, it’s worked out. It’s a thrill every time you step on the track, I think."
   Mr. Gower plans to move to Belmar soon, where he can be more involved in another love — surfing. He’s been surfing for about five years, he said.
   "I really love the ocean," he said. "You can get out there by yourself, it’s very relaxing. And I like to go fast."
   The need for speed will come in handy as he attempts to join the elite drivers at the Meadowlands. Mr. Gower said he looks up to locals such as Ron Pierce and Catello Manzi for guidance and inspiration.
   "The other drivers are very helpful to me," he said. "They give me pointers and have accepted me as one of their own. You can learn so much just by keeping an eye on them, watching them."
   If he can’t make it as a driver, Mr. Gower said he would make a career of being a trainer.
   "I’m going to go all the way with it," he said. "I just want to be known as an honest horseman, always trying to do my best. I’d be tickled to death with that."
Standardbred show
   The Horse Park of New Jersey in Upper Freehold is the place to be Sunday as hundreds of horse lovers from the eastern seaboard gather for the seventh annual National Championship Standardbred Horse Show.
   Sponsored by the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey, in conjunction with the Standardbred Breeders and Owners of New Jersey, the show is a fun-filled exhibition of equine talent and versatility with contests ranging from halter to dressage, jumping to driving, equitation to obstacle courses.
   The show is restricted to Standardbreds. Best known for their speed and durability on the racetrack, the Standardbreds soared in popularity as they excelled in a variety of off-track arenas. With a calm, intelligent and willing demeanor, the Standardbred is well suited for many pleasure uses.
   Scheduled classes include: lead-line, barrel racing, halter, dressage, western, equitation, over fences, carriage driving, and gambler’s choice jumping. Two new classes are added (under saddle and driving) for horses that have raced in 2001, with trophies donated by the racehorse owners the Cheyenne Gang in memory of their horse that perished in a fire at Gaitway Farms on Thanksgiving Day.
   Prize money for his year’s show totals more than $2,000.
   The Horse Park of New Jersey is located at Exit 11 of Route 195. Parking and admission are free.
   All Standardbreds are welcome, owners need not be SPHO members.
   For more information and a complete schedule of events contact Karen Taft at (732) 409-2856 or Maggi Romano at (732) 866-1848.
Driving clinic
   A carriage driving clinic will be held at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Upper Freehold on Saturday, Oct. 13.
   Mickey Bowen, registered American Driving Society judge and driver of singles to four-in-hands, is available for lessons from beginner to advanced level. Each session is $50.
   Renowned driving horse trainer from Massachusetts, Jeff Morse, will work with all levels of horses, in harness or long lines. He also will do an assessment of suitability of your horse for driving. Each session is $40. Auditors are welcome to watch and listen at $5.
   These clinics are offered in conjunction with the Garden State Horse & Carriage Society Pleasure Driving Show benefiting the Handicapped High Riders on Sunday, Oct. 14. This is the largest all-carriage driving show in New Jersey and is in its 11th year.
   Divisions include open, novice, and green with a variety of obstacles, cross country and ring classes. A junior championship will be awarded if there are enough entries. Spectators are welcome to enjoy the elegant carriages, vendors, food and silent auction. No charge for admission or parking.
Owners donation
   Standardbred owners Tim Smith and Paul Nojaim of Syracuse, N.Y., challenge other owners to follow their lead and donate purse winnings to the Red Cross relief fund. One-half of the purse money won by their horses, Cheesecake and S Sudbury, now through Oct. 24, will be forwarded directly to the American Red Cross. To answer the challenge, contact Mr. Smith at: [email protected].
Sales improve
   The 2001 New Jersey Classic Yearling Sale took place at Showplace Farms, Millstone, earlier this month. One-hundred ninety eight yearlings were sold for $2.5 million. The average yearling price was $12,717, a 10.5 percent increase over 2000. This is also the highest figure for the sale in more than 10 years.
   The gross was a 26 percent increase over 2000, and 25 more yearlings were sold than the previous year. The highest price was $55,000, given for Motorvoter Hanover, an Arturo colt purchased by Barbara Krenitsky of Butler, Pa., while $51,000 was paid by David Molski of Cream Ridge for a Western Hanover filly, Hardtack Hanover.