Happy 80th Birthday Jo Ann Looney-King
by Bob Heyden
I’ve known Jo Ann Looney-King since she started in year one at The Meadowlands on the new MSG (Madison Square Garden) Network nightly TV show in May 1982. She has been a staple in my life since.
She’s a good person, brutally honest, and an accomplished trainer/driver who has today morphed into a Horse of the Year co-owner and observer of every single thing happening in the business.
“I never miss a Commission meeting; I want to see what is going on,” said the Harrington, DE resident.
Married to Jim King, Jr. and mother of the one and only Heather Vitale, this is exactly how I presented this column idea to her: “Listen I want to acknowledge your 80th birthday with 10-to-12 questions, not a full bio, or “Where are they now?” segment. You good with that?”
Her response was, “Let’s do it.”
It’s the 50th anniversary of The Meadowlands opening and you drove there on the second night (9/2/76). Memories?
“[I drove] Ruth Baker who finished off the board… I remember the starter wanted to give me days for being off the gate. Things were very tight around there back then.”
You and your husband were in this together early on, since he also drove regularly at The Meadowlands and Freehold back in the day.
“We often talk about how we saw the best of The Meadowlands and the Dover/Harrington period when the slots came. Jimmy pointed out just recently that everything we have is the result of a horse and racing.”
As a female driver, when you started, did you have difficulty getting the same respect accorded male drivers?
“Not really. Everyone knew I was from a racing family. They could see I could handle a horse. I had knowledge of what I was doing.”
How much of yourself do you see in your daughter Heather?
“Not much really; she has a lot more personality.”
What were you thinking you had when you bought Wakizashi Hanover at the very end of the 2013 sale at Harrisburg?
“Well, he was a $20,000 horse. He is the ultimate example of a horse peaking at just the right time [defeating eventual HOY Wiggle It Jiggleit in 2015]. Amazing how it all came together at that exact time.”
What is your best recollection from the early 1980s and working on The Meadowlands nightly show?
“I was just doing my thing. I was friends with Steve Nagler [publicity assistant and TV director at The Meadowlands]. I had never done anything like that before. The thing I wanted to see most was the press box. I remember that well. So real, so professional; I was fascinated by it all.”
Are you and Jackie Ingrassia the “Matriarchs” of today, especially to the younger ladies?
“I look at that word as a compliment. As for Jackie, she’s amazing, and respected by all the drivers and trainers, and still doing it. I love her. And I like Lauren Tritton and what she’s been able to do. Especially to have the stock that she does.”
Would your parents Helen and Elmer be happy with how things have turned out for you?
“I would say yes. This has to be the greatest business!”
You were co-owner of a Horse of the Year and still the fastest female ever Shartin N (1:46.4). Would you take us back to that Hambletonian Day and the moment she set that record?
“I almost always watch from the back of the paddock, and maybe make my way towards the front during the race. That is what I did that day [in 2019]. It’s funny because we were worried about getting her to the gate that day. She was funny that way; you had to gradually ease her along and time it just right. After the race I asked Timmy [Tetrick] that and he joked he just closed his eyes and let her go.”
Your daughter Susan still holds the New Jersey and Meadowlands record as the youngest driver to win there at 16 in June 1984 with One For All. How nervous were you that night?
“Very. But then again, I get nervous a lot before races. I remember coming back from Pocono to watch that one.”
You have had cancer and also a kidney removed. Now at 80, how are you doing?
“Feeling great. I know it’s corny but I really don’t feel like I ever worked a day in my life. Still do feel that today.”
Is there a chance we could see you with another Horse of the Year?
“I would say no, but we are still in it.”
LOOKING BACK AT THE CUTLER
With the 29th edition of the Arthur J. Cutler Memorial this weekend at The Meadowlands, here are a few notes to remember from this 4-and-up open trotting event that has been a great indicator in the past of what was coming that season.
• Magician was the first repeat winner (2000-01), and was third in the 2002 edition at 3-2, won by Fool’s Goal.
• Victory Margin was second to Magician in 2000 and he is the brother of Fool’s Goal.
• It would be great to see a repeat of the finish of the 2013 Cutler, where Sevruga went all the way and a yardstick was more than enough to separate the top four on the wire. Sevruga won by a nose over Guccio and Wishing Stone, in a dead heat for second, and Modern Family in fourth. You can check out the replay to see those four horses across the track at the wire here.
