by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Veteran Western New York driver and
trainer Charles Bacon passed away recently at the age of 80. He was a regular
on the Buffalo Raceway-Batavia Downs circuit for nearly 40 years.
Bacon, who was a resident of Batavia, N.Y., began his
driving career in 1978 and remained in the sulky until 2015. He had 7,132
starts with 710 victories, 830 second place finishes and 840 thirds with over
$1.4 million in earnings.
He began his training career in 1991 and finished with 2,289
starts including 262 wins and $552,098 in purses. He conditioned six winners in
29 tries in 2015.
His last career start in the bike was his only one in 2015
and it was a victory aboard the aptly named Charlie's Last on August 8 at the
Chemung County Fair in Elmira, N.Y.
Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association President
Bruce Tubin said, "I knew Charlie since 1977 and he was a member of our
Association for over 40 years. He was always a professional and just a
wonderful person to be around.
"He was ill for several years and fought hard but he
kept coming to the track," Tubin added.
Bacon is survived by his wife Ada and several children.
