Harry Landy MONROE — Many teenagers have after-school jobs, but very few as professional athletes.
Monroe Township High School senior Harry Landy, who turned 18 on Jan. 20, made his debut as a professional harness racing driver the following day at Freehold Raceway, the first day he was eligible. He also scored his first career win in the 10th race, on a horse bred by his grandfather, Eugene Landy, of Rumson.
Harry’s family hosted a luncheon at the racetrack for family and friends in Harry’s honor to mark the occasion.
Now, when Harry gets out of school at 12:30 — made possible by the senior options program — most days he will be heading straight to Freehold Raceway to compete.
Harry has been driving in amateur races for several years with the American Harness Drivers Club, and he has been in the winner’s circle 22 times on that level. Still, nothing compared to his first win competing with other professionals, many of whom have been racing since before he was born.
“It was an amazing feeling. I’ve worked all of my life trying to be a driver. I’m thrilled,” he said.
Shortly after his win, Harry posted on his Facebook page, “This smile and dirt in my teeth won’t come off for the next week.”
He finished fifth in both the fourth and seventh races before winning in the 10th.
Eugene Landy told guests that they should bet on Jet Escape in the 10th race, because he had bred both the horse and the driver. His advice was well taken — Jet Escape paid $26 to win.
Jet Escape’s dam was Havana Escape, who, according to Harry’s dad, Sam, was out of Rum Volo, a mare Sam owned in 1980.
“I think it is amazing that Eugene Landy, who was parking cars at Freehold Raceway in 1950 when he received notice that he was accepted to Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy, now watched his grandson win on the grandfoal of a horse he bought 30 years ago,” Sam said.
Harry was raised on Congress Hill Farm, a 200-acre breeding and training center located on Federal Road in Monroe, just seven miles from Monmouth Battlefield State Park. According to Sam Landy, Maj. Gen. Charles Lee and Maj. Gen. Marquis de Lafayette stayed at the farm on June 25 and 26, 1778, just before the Battle of Monmouth.
The farm was previously owned by Herve Filion, the most winning driver in harness racing history, with a career total of more than 15,000 victories.
Harry has had a passion for harness racing for as long as his family can remember. His father said that when he watches his son drive, he remembers when Harry was 6 years old and had an amazing ability to control and ride Spike the pony.
“Harry can’t go faster than the horse he is driving, but he has the ability to communicate with the horse, and that communication results in the horse trying its best,” Sam Landy said.
For all of the excitement, it’s a hard road to the top, and Harry knows it. Many nights he drives up to the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, where the top horses compete, to warm up horses for drivers.
Among the trainers he works for there is Lou Pena, the second leading trainer at the Meadowlands.
Harry eventually plans to go to college and may take classes at a community college next year. He said he was thinking of applying to a four-year school to study filmmaking but has been so busy with his driving that he has yet to send any applications.