|
|
Post by trackrat on Aug 14, 2014 11:35:28 GMT -5
One of the feature races on Friday night, not involving a large purse, is the Legends Race that involves Don Irvine Jr., Gerry Bookmyer, Bill Zendt, Doug Hamilton, Dan Ross, Don McKirgan, Bill Irvine and Keith Kash Sr. Missing from this group is Jerry Ross Jr, who I believe raced more with this group than Dan Ross did. The race is the third race trot for NW400PS. I remember when these guys were in their prime back in the 70s and early 80s. Doug Hamilton was one of my favorites, as was one of his horses, Kelly Combat.... and Combat Joe. What great memories of when harness racing was king!!
|
|
|
|
Post by trackrat on Aug 18, 2014 9:40:30 GMT -5
The Legends of Northfield third race last Friday night was (for the Trackrat) nostalgic and profitable. Dan Ross, who I consider to be an excellent trot driver, had a Mark Headworth trotter, Devoutly Hanover from the #3 PP. It went off at 5-1 and won by a head. Y-Dat, driver by legend Gerry Bookmyer, came in second while Cashontherocs with Doug Hamilton came in third. All three were heads apart. This race produced the second largest trifecta of the night, at a little over $500. Looked like everyone put their money on Don Irivine Jr., which might have been a good bet back in the 70s and 80s, but produced zero results Friday night. I would have liked to see these guys face off in more than one race.
Northfield was packed to the gills Friday night and the closed Lucky Lady restaurant upstairs carted in the Hard Rock buffet for restaurant patrons, which had to be several steps above the usual Northfield buffet. Food trucks were on the apron in front of the grandstand.
The only negative I have regards the loud, intrusive and unrecognizable music that was blasted into the restaurant seating area all night long. There was no need for that. People could not hear themselves talk. It was disruptive to serious bettors. But it was nice for one time this year to sit upstairs and actually watch a live race go twice around and see the entire field of racers the entire time. There is no better vantage point to watch a harness race than the upstairs grandstand or restaurant area. Unfortunately, except for a few special races this year, Northfield has the upstairs area closed.
|
|
