Laura Brower’s keeping her brother Dave’s legacy alive

by Victoria Howard

It all began when Dave Brower, Sr. took his son, Dave, and daughter, Laura, to The Meadowlands Racetrack aka The Big M in the ’70s.

On Sept. 1, 1976, racing fans swarmed to the opening of a new racetrack, where thousands of horse racing fans were turned away due to the huge crowd.

It was the beginning of what would be the premier New Jersey racetrack; where the “best of the best” drivers, trainers, and horses came to race.

At the time, the Brower children were quite young and knew nothing about horses, harness racing, or why thousands of people were waiting in line to pick the horse they thought would cross the finish line first.

As their father watched the races, Laura sat on the floor, either coloring or having her face painted in Paddock Park, while her brother Dave was anxious to learn everything about the sport and four-legged athletes.

Little did anyone know at that time that when Dave, Jr. got older, he would not only choose horse racing as his career, but also become known as a lead TV host, morning-line oddsmaker, author, and harness racing program analyst at The Meadowlands.

Dave Jr.’s level of expertise and professionalism was unmatched.

But sadly, his life would be cut short on Oct. 7, 2022, while preparing for a long weekend of racing at Lexington. The good Lord had other plans and called Dave home.

Since it’s coming up on the three-year anniversary of Dave’s passing, I wanted to honor him the only way I knew how — by introducing you to his sister and best friend, Laura.

Laura is a registered nurse and operator of her own Legal Nurse Consulting business named Legally Yours Nurse Consulting.

Her dedication has won her the ‘Best Legal Nurse Consultant’ award by the attorney members of the New Jersey Law Journal the last three years in a row.

Laura never had the enthusiasm and passion that her brother had for harness racing, but that would all change in 2023 when she attended the races at the Little Brown Jug and The Red Mile.

In her own words: “On the first anniversary of Dave’s passing I attended the races at The Red Mile and couldn’t believe how much fun I had. I guess you could say I was ‘bit by the bug’ because all I wanted to do was buy a racehorse.

“After Dave’s passing, the entire industry embraced me with open arms and because of the deep love these people had for my brother, I was sucked in.”

Laura started attending harness racing events, and she said each one was a great experience.

“Debbie Little, a prominent figure in harness racing, said if I was serious about getting involved, she recommended I call trainer/driver Anthony MacDonald for he offers fractional ownership opportunities, through a stable he formed called TheStable.ca.” Laura said. “Debbie said she thought this would be a great way to get my feet wet. The Stable’s motto is ‘Own a little and love a lot,’ and that really says it all! Well, after testing the waters It didn’t take long before I jumped ‘all in.’

“Besides MacDonald, I have horses with several other trainers within The Stable.ca, such as Tim Twaddle in Pennsylvania, Jason McGinnis in Ohio, Dominic Gladu and Harry Poulton in Ontario, and Megan Scran in New York.

Laura, a resident of Morristown, NJ, currently owns shares in eight racehorses.

“They are 2-, 3- and 4-year-old pacers and trotters,” she said. “I guess the love for horses runs in the family because my grandchildren love to feed the horses carrots and apples, and when we aren’t visiting the horses, the children watch the videos over and over. I don’t know who is more excited, me or them.”

It sounds like you’re keeping your brother Dave’s legacy going through you. I’m certain he would be thrilled to see this — or, perhaps — he had something to do with it?

“Yes, I’m sure he did, for harness racing was Dave’s entire life and was extremely dedicated to the sport. Growing up, all Dave wanted to do was be at the racetrack, even after our father passed away.

“Growing up, Dave and I were both very busy, thus we didn’t spend a lot of time hanging out together, except on holidays and special family events. Dave’s ‘thing’ was horses, and mine, well, it was everything else.

“The last seven years or so before my brother passed, every Sunday we would watch football together with some of his friends at a local sports bar. It quickly turned into an every Sunday thing, and I’m so glad it did. The only thing I regret is not getting involved in horses earlier for it could have been something we could do together.

“Ironically, it was his passing that brought me around to all these events. I know now why Dave was so passionate about the horses and racing, as well as the love he had for all the people in the industry. Dave really built a solid group of friends and horse family and I’m proud to say that those same people are now my friends and family too.”

Please tell the reader a little something about your brother Dave. We know he was a kind, intelligent man who loved the sport, but is there anything you would like to add?

“Dave loved everything about horses, and it really showed. I swear, there wasn’t one thing you could ask him — past or present — that he couldn’t answer immediately. And he loved the fans because he was such a fan himself.

“Also, Dave was a natural during the live shows and could talk for hours about horses, races, trainers, drivers, etc. And he was so loved by everyone! If he didn’t know it while he was here, I’m sure he does now.

“After his passing I received hundreds of messages through social media offering condolences. They shared stories of Dave’s kind gestures, and no matter how busy he was, he always took time to answer a fan’s message, tweet or text.”

There truly are no words you can say when someone loses a loved one and those left behind grieve and cope in different ways. Even though it’s coming up three years since Dave has passed, the pain and heartache never leaves. How are you dealing with it?

“Yes, it’s been rough, but my way of dealing with Dave’s loss is to visit all the tracks, barns, trainers, and special places that were dear to his heart. Whenever I go there, I leave some of his ashes so he will always remain there, the places he loved the most.

“So far, the list is The Big M, Delaware County Fairgrounds, Little Brown Jug, The Red Mile, New Vocations, Goshen, Yonkers, Freehold, Spring Garden Ranch, Southern Oaks, and the Mark Ford Stable; and since I will likely have two horses in the Breeders Crown this year, I am hoping to get to Mohawk. My brother is, and will always be, at the places he loved the most.

“I am so happy that my involvement in the sport will keep my brother’s name and memory fresh in everyone’s mind.”

Is there one particular memory you would like to share?

“Yes, there is one special memory I’d like to share. Many years ago, we were enjoying a family picnic in Paddock Park at Monmouth Raceway; my mom, Dave and his girlfriend Erika, myself, and my two sons, Devon and Mason.

“While we were there, Dave ran into a few friends who were interested in betting on the pick 6, so they put their money together. Dave handicapped each race, placing bets in various combinations.

“As we were driving home, Dave discovered he had already picked the first 5 winners. He looked at the driver of the horses in the race and said, ‘I’m going to win this.’ He dropped us off and went all the way back to the track, and he won! It was a $100,000 payoff with only two winners and the $50,000 was divided between my brother and his friends.

“Dave waited years hoping to run into that driver to tell him the story. And guess what? Dave’s wish came true while he was in Lexington, the day before he passed.”