Toni Hollar is Buckeye royalty
by Victoria Howard
Toni Hollar is a fourth-generation harness racer. Her lineage began with her great grandfather Kenneth Harvey, whose daughter Melanie (Williams) and her brother and sister followed into the business. The family began racing standardbred horses mainly at the fairs, along with Raceway Park, and Scioto Downs.
When Melanie met and married Tony Williams, the legacy continued when the couple had three daughters: Amy (Calvin) Hollar, Jennifer (Brian) Brown and Stacy (Bill) Beckley, all of whom are involved in the sport.
In 1978, Toni’s father, Calvin, got a job working for trainer Ron Bateson. Calvin met a woman named Amy — another Buckeye and standardbred advocate who is well-known and well-loved.
Back then, when a horsewoman had a baby, that baby was usually brought to work and the barn became their ‘home away from home.’
That was Toni’s origin story.
“I was a ‘barn baby’ and one of the lucky ones who had the privilege and joy of being raised in a barn,” Toni said. “I don’t think I would have wanted it any other way for it got me involved in the sport I love so much and shaped me into the person I am today.
“I started out working in the barn for my parents along with my two brothers [Carson and Aaron]. I’d harness and bathe the horses; my older brother Carson would clean the stalls and my younger brother Aaron’s job was to clean the horse’s buckets and would help run the [horse] pool when it was opened.
“At nights, unless I was playing softball, I’d help dad in the paddock. We had a system where dad would run the horses through the paddock, and I’d be at the bottom of the hill of the paddock waiting to ‘swap’ the horse — taking the horse that just raced back to our barn to strip and bathe. It went very well and was a family affair.”
When Toni was old enough to be allowed in the paddock, she started to catch-paddock if her father didn’t need her help.
“I paddocked quite a few for trainers Kurt Sugg, Ron Burke and Virgil Morgan,” Toni said.
Toni briefly attended college, but found her heart wasn’t in it. She was back in the barn right away.
“The saying is so true: once you have been bitten by the horse racing bug, you’ll never get out,” she said. “The racing stars were shining down on me for my uncle Brian (Brown) needed help with his stable in Florida. On Feb. 9, 2014, I got on a plane for Florida and got my first group of six horses to care for. In that group were two notable ones: Colors A Virgin and Lost For Words.
“I spent six seasons taking care of some champion horses, including Ohio Sire Stake winners, Rock Candy and McThriller, to Grand Circuit winners, Colors A Virgin, Lost For Words and Downbytheseaside. In 2019, I decided to remain in Ohio and began working for my fiancée trainer Todd Luther.”
Together, Toni and Luther have two daughters —Lainey Blake (4), and Ellie Nona (2). Luther also has a 16-year-old daughter, Skyler.
You certainly were blessed to have taken care of some great horses. Is there one in particular that is special?
“I honestly can’t split the three that I have in my head and heart: Colors A Virgin, Lost For Words and Downbytheseaside. There is certain things about each that make them special. These three horses each brought a lot of ‘firsts’ and I have great memories with each of them.”
Do you own any horses today?
“I don’t personally own any, but my daughter Lainey owns a piece of one with ‘The Stable’ named Mynameswainey — a 2-year-old Heston Blue Chip filly.”
Since your involvement in the sport is there one special memory that stands out in your mind?
“There’s a lot of great memories that I have — mainly during the time I spent working for uncle Brian. The first would be winning the Jugette with Colors A Virgin. It was uncle Brian’s first Jugette win so that was special enough. I was so excited that when I ran across the infield to the winner’s circle, I fell in a hole dirtying my jeans with grass stains.
“Also, every time Lost For Words raced was exciting. He had the biggest heart for a short fella and always gave 100 per cent. The entire 2017 season was great. And I can’t forget the year that Downbytheseaside turned 3. He took me to every race that I thought I’d ever have a horse in. He is still extra special in his new career as a stallion for he’s very successful as are his offspring.”
Is there one female in the sport that you admire and why?
“Honestly? All of them. Seeing women making a name for themselves and giving the men a run for their money is admiring. Starting with my mother Amy to my aunt Jenny, cousin Jess (trainer), Emily Gaskin, Jessica and Jenna Otten to Lauren Tritton who drives the horses and gives the male drivers a run for their money. The grooms who are the backbone of our sport — Shelly Grieco and Kimmy Calenda — to trainers Linda Toscano, Melanie Wrenn and Nancy Takter; each are all superstars who have impacted our sport in their own way.
