Jimmy Allen

James Allen ( )-T- D)
Gansevoort, NY
Birthplace: Athol, Mass
Birthdate: 1/4/39
Colors: Blue-White-Gold

One of fifteen children from a family rich in harness racing, Jimmy learned his early lessons from such greats as Stanley and Vernon Dancer, Eddie Cobb and Clint Hodgins. Jim first went on his own at Hinsdale Raceway (‘65-”68). He settled at Saratoga R aceway in 1968 with a fantastic run at the Spas oval.

Jim won the 1972 “Johnny Page Award at Saratoga as Up-and-Coming Driver”. He won the driving title in 1973 with 190 wins. This set a USTA record for most wins in one year at a single track, breaking Herve Filion’s mark of 181, which has since been broken. During the 70’s, he won five races on a single program twice and four races on a program eight times.

In 1979, Jimmy raced Chiola Hanover in the $100,000 E Roland Harriman Memorial Trot, Grand Circuit Week at Saratoga Raceway. The three-year-old colt won back-to-back in 2:01.1 victories, setting a track record and seasonal best for age, sex and gait. Chiola Hanover still holds the all-time two fastest consecutive dashes by a trotter in track history - 4:02.2. Jimmy and Chiola Hanover went on to finish second in the ‘79 prestigious Hambletonian, making ‘79 his best career year with earnings over $800,000.  

Jim was voted into the Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame June, 1996. 

Jim said he was ready to let the younger guys take over on the driving of his horses.