Doc McBean

[longtimeplayer]

Way too many years ago the Doc came to Batavia Downs with if I remember correctly Lew Williams driving? Weren't the two of them Northfield favorites? What a gorgeous trotter he was, blew away the field here that day, only time he ever came to Batavia. Any of you old timers remember him? ;D

[trackrat]

I remember Doc McBean. Not sure if Lew Williams drove him though. Lew was a favorite at Northfield before he left when the Meadowlands opened. I understand he was killed later when a tractor overturned. He was a major, major driving talent.

[kassracing]

Lew was an exceptionally talented, as good a driver as there was around. He did die when his tractor overturned. He battled drug problems his whole life and was supposedly doing very well and had even started driving again when he lost his life.

A few years back, the USTA and Hoofbeats had a write-in from readers about people and horses in the industry who died to young and lost their lives but left lasting impressions on the sport. I wrote in about Lew, who is most remembered for driving Whata Baron in the 70's and received a very nice letter from his ex-wife so happy that people hadn't forgotten about him inspite of his problems. I think she would be very glad to know that the fans from Northfield haven't forgotten him either! RIP Lew!

[trackrat]

I was there at Northfield Park that Saturday night when Lew and Whata Baron beat the famed Nero. All week long, the press had been touting Nero as unbeatable, a horse that slept all the time but when it came to racing, supposedly unbeatable. Lew and Whata Baron were on top of their game that night.

The only other Northfield race I found as memorable was when Precious Bunny beat Artsplace in the rain, with two significant moves.

[thegiss]

trackrat said:

I was there at Northfield Park that Saturday night when Lew and Whata Baron beat the famed Nero. All week long, the press had been touting Nero as unbeatable, a horse that slept all the time but when it came to racing, supposedly unbeatable. Lew and Whata Baron were on top of their game that night.

The only other Northfield race I found as memorable was when Precious Bunny beat Artsplace in the rain, with two significant moves.

Charlie Williams had Doc McBean most of his career (and when he set the NFLD track record later equaled by Green Speed) but Lew did drive him often.

Add to the classic list of races-- Jaguar Spur/Matt's Scooter in the Battle (DQ year) and Missouri Time-Silk Stockings

[trackrat]

thegiss said:

Charlie Williams had Doc McBean most of his career (and when he set the NFLD track record later equaled by Green Speed) but Lew did drive him often.

That illustrates how good Doc McBean was, to have the lesser of the Williams brothers at the helm and still be an outstanding trotter. Speaking of Charlie, I know he is from Cadiz, Ohio and he still trains some young horses, seems like mostly on the fair circuit. Charlie was always in the shadow of Lew, as Bill Irvine was always in Don's shadow, although it might be a stretch to say that Charlie was even as good as Bill was in his prime. Might be a judgement call there.

[thegiss]

trackrat said:

thegiss said:

Charlie Williams had Doc McBean most of his career (and when he set the NFLD track record later equaled by Green Speed) but Lew did drive him often.

That illustrates how good Doc McBean was, to have the lesser of the Williams brothers at the helm and still be an outstanding trotter. Speaking of Charlie, I know he is from Cadiz, Ohio and he still trains some young horses, seems like mostly on the fair circuit. Charlie was always in the shadow of Lew, as Bill Irvine was always in Don's shadow, although it might be a stretch to say that Charlie was even as good as Bill was in his prime. Might be a judgement call there.

Charlie was a pretty good horseman in his day. So was Bill. He has had a couple strokes which has slowed him down a bunch.