Dave Brower, the longtime lead TV host, morning-line oddsmaker and program analyst at The Meadowlands, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday night while away on assignment at The Red Mile. He was 53 years old. His cause of death was not disclosed, but he was found unresponsive in his hotel room after no one had heard from him Friday morning. Brower was a respected and beloved figure in the harness racing industry, with a wealth of knowledge and professionalism that was unmatched. In this article, we will pay tribute to his life and career, and remember some of his achievements and contributions to the sport.
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A Passion for Harness Racing
Brower was born in Passaic, New Jersey, and grew up six miles from The Meadowlands, where he would spend most of his professional career. He developed a passion for harness racing at a young age, and worked as a groomer, a trainer’s assistant, a teletimer operator, and an intern in public relations before becoming a broadcaster at The Big M. He earned a journalism degree from St. John’s University in 1991, where he was also a sports editor for St. John’s Today.
Brower was known for his sharp handicapping skills, his insightful analysis, and his engaging personality on TV. He was the face of The Meadowlands for many years, hosting the live racing coverage and providing the morning line and program comments for the standardbred races. He also did many national TV broadcasts, including this year’s Hambletonian, seen on the CBS Sports Network. He was a published author as well, writing “Harnessing Winners” in 2009, a book that offered tips and strategies for harness racing bettors.
A Versatile and Dedicated Professional
Brower was not only a fixture at The Meadowlands, but also a versatile and dedicated professional who worked at various tracks and events across the country. For the past nine years, he worked remotely from his home in New Jersey as a handicapper, broadcaster, and social media contributor for Cal Expo harness racing in Sacramento. He also worked as a TV host for the Little Brown Jug at the Delaware (Ohio) Fairgrounds, where he recently completed a week-long stint. He was preparing for a big weekend of racing at Lexington’s The Red Mile when he passed away.
Brower’s colleagues and friends in the industry expressed their shock and sadness over his passing, and praised his work ethic and talent. Jason Settlemoir, the track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager at The Meadowlands, said that Brower’s level of expertise and professionalism was unmatched in the sport of harness racing. Dave Little, Brower’s TV partner since 2017, said that sitting next to him for the last five years was the greatest pleasure of his entire career. He added that they had spent so much time together over the years and knew just about everything there was to know about each other.
A Legacy That Will Live On
Brower’s death is a huge loss for the harness racing community, which mourns his passing and sends condolences to his family and many industry friends. He is survived by his wife Jennifer, his son Tyler, his daughter Kaitlyn, his mother Barbara, his brother Mark, and his sister-in-law Lisa. He will be remembered as a legend of the sport, a consummate professional, and a kind and generous person. His legacy will live on through his work, his words, and his impact on countless fans and followers of harness racing.
