Lindy's Pride - 1969
For the seventh time in eleven years, the Hambletonian winner was sired by Star’s Pride, this time, named Lindy’s Pride. It was a debut win in harness racing’s greatest race for trainer-driver Howard Beissinger. Lindy’s Pride was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and was owned by Lindy Farm, Inc. He recorded miles of 1:573 and 1:582 in annexing the 1969 Hambletonian. The Prophet was favored, sent off at odds of 2-3 for Harold Dancer, Sr., while Smoky Morn trotted a big second heat to be second for Ned Bower. This field also included the brilliant but erratic Dayan, third in the opening mile and second in the final, but placed fourth for interference.
Lindy's Pride became the fifth horse to win the Triple Crown of Trotting. It was also the second year in a row that a sophmore trotter captured the "Big Five." (Hambletonian, Yonkers Trot, Kentucky Futurity, Colonial and Dexter Cup). Nevele Pride and Lindy's Pride are the only two to accomplish the feat. Trainer/driver Howard Beissinger won in his first attempt at the Hambletonian. Lindy's Pride's caretaker Osvaldo Formia would later win another Hambletonian as the groom on Speedy Somolli (1978) and two more as the trainer for both Probe (1989) and Harmonious (1990). Lindy's Pride was voted the 3-year-old Trotting Colt of the Year.
