AHDC donates to Standardbred Transition Alliance

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— The American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) made another charitable donation when racing at Pocono Downs this past weekend, this time to the Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA).

AHDC President Anthony Verruso led the presentation of a $2,000 donation to the STA during the Saturday afternoon (Sept. 27) card of racing, which featured a division of the AHDC Trot. Pocono Downs race secretary Rick Kane accepted the donation on behalf of the STA.

“We really enjoy supporting these great charities that help our industry,” said AHDC president Anthony Verruso. “We just love the competition, and we can’t do it without these horses. They all deserve the ability to find new homes and such once done racing, so we’re happy to assist on that. We’re also incredibly appreciative of Rick Kane and Sam Beegle [PHHA President] for giving us space to race here at Pocono, as well as the crew down at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Anywhere we go, we’ll make sure we continue supporting great causes.”

The STA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization focused on accreditation and inspection of programs that acquire, rehabilitate, train and re-home Standardbreds, as well as awarding grants to help support these organizations. Organizations like the STA are supported by the AHDC because the club’s participants race with amateur licenses, meaning that their five percent cut of purse earnings goes to various charity organizations instead of to the driver.

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC