Memorial race to
honor legendary driver on Saturday, July 22
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (July 20, 2017) – The life and
career of legendary harness racing driver Hervé Filion will be celebrated
Saturday, July 22 at the Meadowlands with a series of events to honor the Hall
of Famer who passed away last month at the age of 77.
“My father always cared for the horse and had a God-given
talent to get the most out of the horse,” said Andrew Filion, one of three sons
of Hervé. “He had a huge, generous heart and always felt like he knew you for
years. He always wanted others around him to be happy and successful. He was
definitely the Babe Ruth of harness racing and we are so appreciative to be
able to honor our dad at the Meadowlands.”
Race 2 will feature a special salute to Filion and other
legends of Roosevelt Raceway. The drivers in that race will wear the colors of
many former Roosevelt drivers including Filion.
Dozens of horsemen from the Roosevelt Raceway days will also
be at the Meadowlands on Saturday as part of the last Roosevelt Raceway
reunion. Filion was the longtime leading driver at Roosevelt, the famed
racetrack on Long Island that closed in 1988.
Race 3 will be a special memorial race to Filion and his
former competitors and friends from Roosevelt will stick around to sign
autographs and help celebrate his life in the winner’s circle.
An exclusive cocktail party will take place at the
Meadowlands Skybox Suites from 6:00pm – 7:30pm in which guests will have the
opportunity to meet-and-greet the dozens of former Roosevelt Raceway horsemen
including Carmine Abbatiello, Mike Lachance, Billy O’Donnell, Benny Webster,
The Popfingers, and more. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $49 with
proceeds to benefit the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.
An impressive display of memorabilia will be on display and
available for purchase through an online auction by visiting 32auctions/rrr2017.
