Monticello’s Adam Moeykens named Rising Star

MONTICELLO, NY — The shortest distance between points is a straight, direct line. 20-year-old Adam Moeykens, a native of Honesdale, PA, knew early in life the goal that he wanted to achieve and has embarked on the journey to reach that goal and quench the desire to become a successful driver in Harness Racing.

His efforts have already been getting noticed, because when the Monticello-Goshen USHWA Chapter hold their 64th annual Awards Banquet on Sunday, December 10, 2023, Adam Moeykens will receive the association’s Rising Star Award.

Born into a family with deep roots in the sport, he was reared in the business by his father Joseph, a fourth-generation horseman.  He pays homage to his pedigree by wearing the same colors worn by those in the family for generations before him.  When he graduated from Honesdale High School in 2020 he didn’t need a guidance counselor to help him chart his future.

“I got hooked very early,” said Moeykens in the paddock recently at Monticello Raceway between drives. As a youngster he spent all his free time at the barn with his father. First by paying his dues mucking stalls and cleaning feed tubs, to eventually jogging horses.

He received his qualifying license in the fall of 2022 and recorded his first winning pari-mutuel drive aboard the family trained The Gogester on Oct. 11 of that year, scoring in 2:04.3. His brief resume is impressive; in just two years he has won 44 races, and currently sits twelfth in the driver standings at Monticello Raceway.  With this year being the first full season under his belt, his mounts have earned over $323,000.

When Moeykens was asked about being chosen as this year’s Rising Star, he replied, “I’m very grateful for it, it’s pretty cool, and I’m very honored.”

Questioned about the possibility of any hobbies outside of harness racing, Moeykens chuckled “Not really.  Days off are hard to come by, especially in this business.  It’s a tough grind; it’s a way of life.”

Where does Moeykens see himself in 20 years, “Hopefully I am doing well, successful and happy,” exclaimed Adam, “In the future, I would like to move on to Pocono and Yonkers.  I also want to get involved buying babies.  I like that part of the business. We have two homebred yearlings now, and it’s rewarding to watch them learn and mature.”

Adam is respected by his fellow peers.  Long-time Goshen-based trainer Dave Dziengiel shared his thoughts on Adam, noting “He is a very good driver, he is growing up quick, has a lot of patience and he puts a horse in a really good spot.  I actually use him on my two good horses, how much better can that be! I have had a heck of a year with him.”

Leading driver Bruce Aldrich Jr. also sings him praise “Adam is very, very good. He shows a lot of patience and has soft hands, I think that he has a lot of potential.”

A straight line maybe the shortest distance to achieve a goal but Rising Star Adam Moeykens is certainly enjoying the journey.

This year, in addition to the year-end awards for horses and horse people from the local tracks, the Monticello-Goshen chapter will also honor Larry DeVan (Lifetime Achievement Award); Ron Ochrym (Excelsior Award); Tom Cunningham (Good Guy Award); Gary Messenger & Ken Weckstein (Cradle of the Trotter Breeders Award); Edison Hatter (Phil Pines Award); Jill Omen (Amy Bull Crist Distinguished Service Award); Matt Zuccarello (Amateur Driver); and Mike Druss (Mighty M Awards of Appreciation).

by Shawn Wiles, for the Monticello-Goshen USHWA Chapter