With due apology to celebrated newspaper editor Horace Greeley, Ohio native Brent Holland's manifest destiny was clearly to, “Go East, Young Man.” Following that somewhat twisted admonition has paid hefty dividends for this stalwart of the Yonkers Raceway harness racing drivers’ colony, as the reinsman recently notched his 5,000th career victory at New York’s Hilltop oval.
A winner of over $54 million in purse earnings, Holland's prowess in the sulky is testament to the fine mentoring the soft-spoken Buckeye received early in his career. His first job at the Maynard Hagemeyer Family Farm in Clarksville, Ohio prepared him for his initial pari-mutuel victory at Lebanon Downs. Holland further honed his skills in Chicago under the tutelage of venerable Hall of Famer Bob Farrington.
In 2008, Holland took a considerable leap of faith and trekked to New York. It was at Yonkers in 2009 that Holland notched win 4,000; and this past June 23rd he proudly guided pacing mare Delightful Dragon first under the wire for driving win 5,000.
The Standardbred Owners Association of New York is pleased that this man steeped in both talent and faith has chosen to ply his trade at the home of the International Trot. We wish this 46-year-old years of future success in our industry.
Chris E. Wittstruck