History of Dan Patch and the Dan Patch Awards

The pacer Dan Patch became a celebrity during his racing days in the early 1900s. Harry Truman once wrote him a fan letter, Dwight Eisenhower went to see him at the Kansas State Fair, and actress Lillie Langtry paid him a visit while touring the U.S. Wherever Dan Patch raced, thousands of fans flocked to see him.

It is only fitting that harness racing’s best are honored with Dan Patch Awards. Voted on by members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association, balloting is conducted in early December and the three top vote-getters in each division are announced. The final tabulations have remained sealed and all the divisional winners will be announced tonight as well as honors for Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year and Horse of the Year.