An Ohio couple in their 30s welcomed their second son into the world this week and demonstrated their love for harness racing by naming him after the sport’s leading driver.
The new arrival is named Campbell Elliot Hoovler. The father thought about naming him after a horse, but was perplexed by the possibilities.
“What we were going to name him? Sumbeach Hoovler? Nihilator? Rock?,” the father asked. “However, who better than the greatest driver of all time to name your son after?
So the foal of 2009 will be registered as Campbell E. Hoovler.
His middle name doesn’t come from trainer Steve Elliott because it’s missing one “t” and because the parents chose that name for a far more meaningful reason.
“I lost my best friend to a car accident, a car that I was supposed to be in, when we were 17,” says the father. “His name was Chad Elliot James. It was my way of honoring one of the best who left us way too soon.”
By the way, I should mention that the proud papa of the newborn boy is named Bret and, yes, he was named for the great pacer. His father is Donald “Skip” Hoovler, a well-known Ohio breeder and owner.
And Campbell Hoovler has a big brother whose name is---are you ready for this?---Jate. Yes, after Jate Lobell.
Bret’s wife Melissa delivered her son by C-section and Bret notes, “Since he weighed 10 pounds, 12 ounces and was 22 inches in length at birth, I doubt that he is ever going to see a sulky, but John Campbell exemplifies class and greatness.”
No one would ever argue with that.
For now, the proud parents are understandably calling their newborn “Big Cam.”
And if you want to play a hunch bet, Bret’s mother bred and co-owns Medoland Big Cam, who is a starter in Sunday’s Ontario Sires Stakes Gold elimination at Mohawk.