Mel Smorra passes, aged 82

Former Roosevelt, Yonkers and Meadowlands harness racing trainer Mel Smorra after a long illness passed away on September 27, 2023. He was born on November 30, 1941, in the Bronx, New York, and was 82 years of age at his passing.

Mel developed his love for horses as a youngster in the Bronx at the Van Cortland Park Riding Academy. After graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1958, Smorra began his standardbred career at Roosevelt Raceway under Jimmy Wingfield and later spent two years working in Ohio.

In 1962, Mel joined the John Chapman Stable and was the head trainer for 19 years until Chapman’s untimely death in 1980, where afterwards Mel opened his own public stable. Mel trained some of our sports greatest horses that included Delmonica Hanover and Savoir, both International Champions, and the Free-for-All-Pacers Tarport Hap and Wizard Almahurst.

Funeral arrangement will be posted as they become available. The family through Mels ex-wife Sue Nulton has set up a Gofundme account to help cover the funeral expenses.

From the United States Harness Racing Alumni Association