Brian Allen

Brian D. Allen (O-T-D)
Greenfield Center, NY
Birthplace: Oneida, NY
Birthdate: 8/18/64
Colors: Maroon - White

Brian got his first ride on a jog cart at the age of one with Townsend Ackerman.

Allen grew up in a harness family, his father Angus a trainer/driver and four older

sisters, all worked in the sports. Angus had a large stable at Vernon Downs, where Brian got to meet top horsemen like Billy Haughton, who sent their horses to Angus to care for until race day. Allen remembers Herve Filion asking him if he was going to go into the business like his dad and he offered a view of driving. “He told me you get way too much credit when you win and way too much blame when you lose,” said Brian.

A talented high school hockey player, he turned down a college scholarship to go and train for Ed Lohmeyer. After three years, he moved on to train for Lofty Bruce in 1985. In 1987 Brian made the decision to drive full time at Vernon Downs. He gained the Dick Mumpton Memorial Award for the most promising driver at the track. The USHWA honored him the following year with the Rising Star Award, and in 1990 he won his first dash title at Vernon. He went on and captured six more titles in the 90’s. In 2002, Brian spent most of his time at Rosecroft Raceway. He was 9th in money earnings with $268,790 and his 53 wins put him in tenth place. That Fall, Brian was at Colonial Downs, ending up ninth in wins (10) at the Virginia track.

Brian earned the honor of driving top horses like Pan Its Cold, Armbro Nest, Stand Forever, Moni Maker, Howard’s Sister, Sleight of Pan and Viva Vita.

The top classic races he has won are John Simpson Stake (6 times); Hanover-Hempt (2 times), Gaines Memorial; Zweig Memorial Filly and the Colonial.

Brian raced intermittently at Saratoga and is now a regular driver at the half-mile oval.