Rod Allen retires from racing

Harness racing trainer-driver Rod Allen, who trained and drove his homebred Our Last Penny throughout the DSBF series, came up a head short of ending his storied harness racing career on a winning note, as he has announced his retirement from active participation in the sport.

“Rod has been a major participant in the Breeders’ Fund since his dad, Carl, committed to standing CR Commando in Delaware at the inception of the program,” said Judy Davis-Wilson, executive director of the DSBF. “He has always carried himself with grace and class, even in defeat. We want to thank Rod for all his years spent in the industry, and especially in our program.”

Allen enjoyed success on harness racing’s grandest stage, having won five Breeders Crowns as an owner and three as a driver — including two with the legendary CR Kay Suzie. But it is his class and work ethic off the track that stands out to many of his colleagues, including Hall of Fame driver John Campbell:

“I have known Rod and his family for many years going back to my racing days in Michigan,” Campbell, the current president and CEO of the Hambletonian Society, said. “I’ve always respected the Allen family for their hard work, determination, and the resulting successes they have achieved. Rod always exhibited class, no matter the wins or the losses. It is somewhat sad for me to think of Rod retiring, as the Allen name has been so prominent in racing for many years. I wish Rod and his family all the best moving forward.”

The 65-year-old Michigan native and current Florida resident won 519 races and $11.9 million in purses as a driver, and trained the winners of 110 races since the United States Trotting Association began maintaining training statistics in 1991.