Woodstock, Virginia’s Betsy Brown Recognized For Her Accomplishments In Harness Racing

2021 SESSION

21103229D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 279 Offered February 1, 2021Commending Betsy Brown.
Patrons– Reid, Adams, D.M., Carr, Delaney, Heretick, Hope, Rasoul, Simonds and Ware
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WHEREAS, Betsy Brown, an esteemed harness racing driver from Woodstock, won her 500th race as part of the Virginia Harness Horse Association’s Matinee Meet at the Shenandoah County Fair on September 2, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Betsy Brown won the race with the horse Believe In Him in the $2,000 Free For All Trot event, marking the second year in a row that she won with the horse at the Shenandoah County Fair; and

WHEREAS, after jumping out to an early lead, Betsy Brown and Believe In Him fell behind briefly but regained the top position before the halfway mark and held it until the end, finishing with a time of 2:02; and

WHEREAS, Betsy Brown started riding at the age of five and has been racing for more than four decades; she won her first race in 1979 and has enjoyed an illustrious career as both a driver and a trainer ever since; and

12-year-old Morgan Marston and Betsy Brown guided Hot Rod Pete to victory in a 2019 HHYF exhibtion race.

WHEREAS, as a driver, Betsy Brown has appeared in 3,869 races and her horses have earned $1,153,596 in purse money, while as a trainer, her horses have made 5,646 starts and reached the winner’s circle 826 times; and

WHEREAS, harness racing is a unique and time-honored tradition at the Shenandoah County Fair that has been a cherished part of the community event for more than a century; with a farm located near the fairgrounds, Betsy Brown has long been a local favorite at the races; and

WHEREAS, Betsy Brown demonstrated extraordinary talent and determination in reaching this remarkable racing milestone and is an inspiration to all Virginians; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Betsy Brown, an accomplished harness racing driver from Woodstock, hereby be commended for winning her 500th race; and, be it

Woodstock local Betsy Brown is surrounded by family and friends in the Shenandoah Downs winners circle.

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Betsy Brown as an expression of House of Delegates’ profound admiration for her noteworthy accomplishments.