The arrival of a new Hall of Fame class will be celebrated this weekend with festivities in Goshen, New York. This group is notable by its diversity as it honors some of the quieter heroes the sport has known, as well as one that has passed with credentials fitting a Hall of Famer while coming from a time where many may not have seen it possible. Lucien Fontaine, who passed last year at the age of 83, is a major part of the history of the New York City area harness tracks by virtue of his regular presence in the winner's circles at Yonkers and Roosevelt Raceways. Fontaine, who campaigned a small stable of his own, routinely found himself catch-driving at a time when driver-trainers filled most races. Fontaine's prowess in the bike was evident as he had the ability to get to the front and keep horses going with some unconventional whipping and coaxing tactics that would make him a fan favorite. For the most part he excelled at Yonkers Raceway, specifically ceding the top at Roosevelt when the races would move to Long Island and then dominating the action when the scene shifted to Westchester County. While Fontaine's skills on the racetrack were evident, his name in harness history would not be the same if not for the arrival of Forrest Skipper into his stable in 1986. The 4-year-old by Scarlet Skipper gave Fontaine the credibility as a trainer he richly deserved after years in the sport. Perhaps even greater for him was his ability to manage a season for his horse that saw Forrest Skipper win all of his 15 starts and go on to be named Harness Horse of the Year. It was truly a crowning achievement to a career where Fontaine had at most times been a bettors' favorite in the sulky. Fontaine worked behind the scenes often as an agent buying and selling horses. He had a gift for promoting horses and was most effective casting a positive light on what he was buying or selling. With a genuine smile that could light up any room, Fontaine now finds a place in harness racing's pantheon that comes too late for him to accept the honor in person but just in time for those who remember him as a major part of harness history to have a lasting place to rest. As one that enjoyed listening to his father Guy "Sonny" Antonacci speak of the breeding of trotters with such passion during my youth, I can clearly understand now why his son Frank (The Elder) Antonacci has earned his rightful place in the Hall of Fame. Frank was lucky enough to be able to hear the words of his late father directly and better the sport by carrying out many of his concepts over the years. It is far from a given in this sport or any business that sons or daughters will follow in their parents' footsteps. In the breeding business it takes dedication, great management skills and the funding to manage a larger herd of horses over the years. There are many breeding operations that could not sustain the loss of a patriarch but in the case of the Antonaccis, Frank "The Elder" became its guiding force, and Lindy Farms remains as likely today to produce a Hambletonian winner as it did 40 years ago. While not alone in infusing the North American breed with European influences, the Antonaccis were doing so before it became popular, and in the early days success didn't appear guaranteed. That said, it's likely the patience and determination have finally seen the cross-continent breeding operation reach fruition with the aptly-named International Moni, the result of the pairing of the legendary Moni Maker with Love You, a stallion by the French star Coktail Jet. Clearly that was the kind of horse Frank's dad was expecting when he envisioned the trotting breed moving forward. Many people make a tremendous impact on this sport without looking for recognition in return. There's a large group of behind-the-scenes men and women in the Standardbred industry that through their generous support have not just kept the business alive but have outwardly seen its improvement. Frank Antonacci has, to me, been that type of influence in this sport. Anyone in the breeding business recognizes that for a venture to remain viable racing must be healthy. Antonacci has maintained a steady presence in many regions to see harness racing prosper. For that and that alone he is more than worthy of this honor. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter There are stories like his today that bring to light just how difficult it is for a young trainer of trotters to win the sport's biggest prize. That Per Eriksson would be just 24 years of age when he captured his first Hambletonian with Prakas in 1985 is no small feat. Looking at the likes of Marcus Melander and Lucas Wallin in today's era, it's obvious that just having quality horses in your stable is no guarantee at all. Eriksson made his mark during an era where competition from other Swedes was as intense as it is today, if not greater. His success in North America had a solid run that saw him capture consecutive Hambletonians in 1991-92 with Giant Victory and Alf Palema. In 1995, the filly Lookout Victory would capture the Hambletonian Oaks for Eriksson. That Eriksson would return to his homeland to train horses for the last 20 years is likely the reason this honor has taken as long for him to reach. Nonetheless, his impressive string of quality trotters during a 15-year window is testament to exemplary horsemanship. Perhaps in some ways the same as Frank Antonacci, Eriksson was never in the limelight of his own doing and simply did all the work necessary to make certain his horses performed when on the racetrack. The result was a high win percentage whether training a large or small group of horses. That skill is more than reminiscent in today's racing canvas as we see more and more trainers pick their spots and peak horses in a manner that's similar of Eriksson some 35 years ago. It's often lost on many a casual fan what a race caller adds to a race. It's a job that requires accuracy to be done well but perhaps more importantly, it is a job that asks the announcer to recognize a big story and act on it instantaneously to make an impact. It was Ken Warkentin in the announcer's booth when Bulldog Hanover set the world record at the Meadowlands last summer with a 1:45 4/5 mile. It was a record achievement made that much better by the fact that the veteran Warkentin was able to authenticate the achievement with the fitting words to match. It's not an accident when that happens but something an announcer must prepare a lifetime for. In almost all cases the opportunity never comes, but Warkentin rose to the occasion and helped make a huge story even better with a call that will echo the rest of time. Warkentin has been a pillar at the Meadowlands in his announcing and handicapping and is most deserving to be honored in the Communicators wing of the Hall of Fame. In the you-have-to-be-old-enough to remember category, the Hall will honor the memory of a pair of broodmares that proved incredibly special on the pacing and trotting side and are worthy of note. Adios Scarlet gifted this sport with two stars from her first two foals – Isle Of Wight and Nansemond. Isle Of Wight, born in 1966, would become one of the better Free-For-Allers in the early 70s and Nansemond, her second foal, would be remembered most for denying Albatross a Triple Crown sweep, winning the Little Brown Jug in 1971 for Hall of Famer Herve Filion. Adios Scarlet had eight straight foals by Tar Heel, including another pair of solid stakes winners in the filly Nancy Isle and colt Richmond. When bred for the first time to the legendary Meadow Skipper she produced Scarlet Skipper in 1976, a top 3-year-old performer in 1979. The broodmare Exciting Speed was routinely bred to champion Nevele Pride and had a string of top stakes performers that included the top colt and future sire Bonefish, a foal of 1972, and six years later Panty Raid, her richest foal with earnings over $473K. Exciting Speed would link to future Hambletonian champions through her granddaughters and great granddaughters, providing the sport with Hambo champions Tagliabue (1995) and Giant Victory (1991). More current mares will be inducted at Goshen, and the name Road Bet deserves recognition for her incredible streak of stakes performers. The young Bettor's Delight mare (13 years old) has delighted with two of her first three foals being world champion Cattlewash (1:46 4/5) and Niki Hill, with the pair having cumulative earnings of $2.6 million. Her fourth living foal is Earthwindfire, the current favorite for Friday's Park MGM Filly Pace at Yonkers Raceway, a multiple stakes winner and undefeated as a sophomore to date. That Road Bet has accomplished the extraordinary from three different sires makes her more than worthy of accolades even at her tender age. Congratulations to all of the inductees and wishing everyone a great weekend in Goshen.