by
john manzi for Historic Track
Goshen
Historic Track, where it all started and where it still is today, is prepping
for its 182nd season of exciting harness racing and 2018 will be the
108th year of Grand Circuit Racing at “the Cradle of the Trotter”.
Racing
action this year commenced with three matinee racing programs on the
consecutive Sundays of June 3, June 10 and June 17 and this year marked the 57th
consecutive season of matinee racing over the historic double-oval.
Grand
Circuit racing begins on Friday, June 29 and will feature the Landmark Series
and the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series. Then on Saturday, June 30,
3-year-old pacers will be featured in New York Sires Stakes action.
However,
the creme de la crème of the racing meet is the $10,000 Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge
T. Gerry Memorial Trot which will be presented on Sunday, July 1 and feature
various members of Harness Racing's Hall of Fame at the controls, which has
always been a fan favorite.
Hall
of Famers who will be participating this season include: Brian Sears, Dave
Miller, Jimmy Takter, Dave Palone, Dick Stillings,Wally Hennessey and Ron
Waples.
Autograph
cards will be distributed to the first 500 racegoers on Sunday(July 1) and then
after that featured race is completed the Hall of Famers will be available for
photos and autographs.
Also
slated on the July 1st card is the New York Sire Stakes for 3 year
old trotters and the race under saddle. And then in the evening, on the lawn of
the Harness Racing Museum, will be the annual Hall of Fame Banquet.
The
2018 racing season ends on Monday, July 2nd with the New York Sire Stakes for horses competing in
the County Fair division.
All
post times for racing will be at 1pm.
Also
part of the Historic Track offerings this season will be the Goshen High School
Graduation on Friday, June 22 followed by a concert on the facility's stage on
Friday,June 29 after the racing card is completed.
On
Tuesday, July 3 through Saturday, July 14 Historic Track will host the
Harness Horse Youth Foundation followed on Saturday, July 28 with the Jimmy
Sturr Concert. The annual Car Show is set for Sunday, Sept. 2nd and
the tracks Golf Outing fundraiser is scheduled for Monday, September 10.
