Three elected to Indiana Standardbred Hall of Fame

The Indiana Standardbred Hall of Fame inducted new members Saturday evening, February 3. Dr. George McClarnon, Raymond J. “Steve” Panke and pacing mare Extreme Velocity were honored during the Indiana Standardbred Awards Banquet. The three honorees make up the Hall of Fame’s 2006 Class, which was determined last October. All three earned at least 70 percent of the vote by the directors, a prerequisite for induction.

Dr. George McClarnon has contributed to the Indiana Standardbred Industry as an owner, breeder and leader. As an owner and breeder he has continued to support this industry by investing and believing in the Indiana Program. As a leader, he worked diligently for the passage of pari-mutuel legislation in Indiana. He has served as President of I.T.P.H.A. and S.O.B.I., and helped to merge the two organizations into the current Indiana harness racing organization.

Nearly all of Steve Panke’s contribution to harness racing took place at the conference table as he worked tirelessly in support of the Indiana State Fairgrounds and in keeping abreast of important gaming information. When assigned a task, Steve did his homework and followed through all with the focus of helping Indiana horse people. He served 36 years as manager of the All Horse Classic National Show in Indianapolis. He also served as project manager of the restoration of the Indiana State Fair’s historic speed barns in 1997. Panke passed away October 9, 2006 at the age of 87.

Extreme Velocity was owned during her racing career by brothers Dave and Merrill Stohler from Markleville, IN. Racing her way out of conditioned races at her “home track” at Hoosier Park, she traveled to the competitive Woodbine circuit as well as New Jersey picking up wins in the 1997 Breeders Crown, the Milton Stakes, and the Roses Are Red. Her lifetime career statistics included 40 wins from 79 starts; earnings of $856,070; and a record of 1:50.3.

Source: Release from Indiana Standardbred Hall of Fame (02-02-07)

Congratulations to all of the Indiana Standardbred Hall of Fame inductees!

Note: Hoosier Hoofprints wrote an article on Extreme Velocity, which was published nearly 5 years ago.  The article includes a listing of all her career wins, as well as several photos noting key events. 

Within the article, the feeling of having a top-notch horse like Extreme Velocity in the barn is explained by her trainer, Trent Stohler, "Having a superstar in your stable is a lot like riding an emotional roller coaster.  Joy and excitement are not the only feelings you experience.  You get a pretty good dose of concern, anger, fear, and the occasional ulcer.  This winter is the first time she has not been in the stable in a harness for quite some time.  I can honestly say not a day passes that I do not think of her when I walk into the barn in the morning.  I look at her old stall and wish she were there to ride the roller coaster one more time.  I feel very much honored that she let me be associated with her."