Harness: Time for Jim Campbell to get the Hall of Fame call

There are certain career-defining moments in life. While the body of work as a whole can be impressive without a pinnacle achievement, once in a while you can pinpoint an instance in time which slams an exclamation point on everything accomplished previously.

Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke and George Teague all went into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame this year and I can't begin to tell you which one accomplishment secured their spots as immortals in the sport. Each had many spectacular moments which led to an ultimate conclusion that they belonged with other Standardbred racing legends.

I can without a doubt relay that when Cool Papa Bell strutted his way into the winner's circle on August 6 at The Meadowlands one of my first thoughts was: We have to get trainer Jim Campbell in the Hall of Fame. Cool Papa Bell's Hambletonian win marked the second of the trainer's career (also Tagliabue in 1995) and the victory by Fashion Schooner in the Hambletonian Oaks earlier in the day was also his second as he sent her mom Broadway Schooner out to capture the same trophy in 2009.

To put into perspective how difficult it is to win both the Hambletonian and Oaks twice in your training career, it has only been accomplished by three other men. You may have heard of them since they are all in the Hall of Fame: Billy Haughton, Joe O'Brien and Jimmy Takter, who amassed an astonishing 12 total victories in the two races, a record that may never be eclipsed.

Of course the Hambletonian and Oaks alone don't make a career. Campbell also has a half-dozen Breeders Crown trophies among his many stakes victories and at least as many Dan Patch winners from a quick count. That Campbell ranks 15th on the all-time earnings list among trainers certainly speaks to his career ability to consistently produce for his owners.

Performing a trainer-to-trainer comparison of the recently inducted Teague, Campbell has $15 million more in earnings but Teague has 250 more wins. Both have a number of Dan Patch and Grand Circuit stakes to their credit.

So, just a couple of hours after Fashion Schooner rolled down the road from post 10 in the Oaks and minutes after Jim Campbell watched Cool Papa Bell slide off the cones and surge to a Hambletonian win completing his greatest day at the track, we asked him about the Hall of Fame.

"I don't think about that," said Campbell. "I'm just Jim Campbell going to work every day to make my owners some money and keep in business. That's all I look for. I'm a big believer in our lord Jesus Christ and for him to guide me whichever way he guides me."

While Jim may not be concerned with the Hall of Fame, as a member of USHWA I plan to bring his name up for consideration at the opportunity. Likely I'll be one of many to do so as the 60-year-old is not only a great trainer but also a man of character worthy of the honor.