Harness Racing Gifts

While harness racing may not be as popular in the United States as thoroughbred racing, the sport has a devoted fan base that greatly supports the industry. This support has helped sustain harness racing in North America for more than 200 years. Races are run with horses either trotting or pacing, and if they break stride and begin to gallop, they are disqualified. There is a sweet science to the sport, in terms of trainers preparing horses, drivers guiding horses, and bettors choosing the right horses.

  1. Memorabilia

    • Memorabilia is the easiest and most common harness racing gift. It is also one of the less expensive gift options. Some basic memorabilia includes T-shirts, key chains, and mugs, while more unique items could be silks, framed photos of superstar horses—perhaps autographed by the driver or trainer—and driver's equipment.

    A weekend at the track

    • A more involved gift—one that also will be more expensive—is a weekend at a harness racing track. Book a stay at a nearby hotel, and take the harness racing fan to the track each day (and maybe each night) while you stay there. You could even surprise the gift recipient by not telling him where you are going. With harness racing tracks in California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, there is likely a nearby track. Some states have several tracks. Keep in mind, though, that some tracks host live racing seasonally, so be sure to plan the trip when the track you want to visit is hosting live racing. US Trotting has a complete list of tracks by state. A trip to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y., also could make a great gift.

    Publication subscriptions

    • If your harness racing fan likes to read and stay informed of the latest in harness racing, a subscription to an industry publication could make a great gift. Harness racing magazines such as the Horseman and Fair World, Hoof Beats Magazine and the Trotting and Pacing Guide provide feature articles, handicapping information, records, stats and history. Books on harness racing also can make a great gift, whether they deal with the sport's history, or include more information on the handicapping—or gambling—side of the sport.