Yes, I always liked Northfield Park. Have made some great scores on the races there, in the town where my grandfather lived and we could hear the race calls in his backyard. He also lived in Bedford. My wife and I and friends visited the track for the first time in over 20 years this past August on Rolling Rock night. Had dinner, (moldy rolls!) and won a pretty good amount of cash. It was great.
As for history, my dad was a huge harness fan and introduced me to the sport in the 60's. His only claim to fame was having painted Harry Burright's helmet once. Always a gambler, never involved in any other way was dear old dad. He was a daily visitor to Balmoral Park where he was in his usual perch until three days before he died in 2002 with a live voucher still in his shirt pocket. Each April we host a Memorial Race for him at Balmoral. I announce the post parade and we present a blanket in the winner's circle.
Back in the late 60's, early 70's I hosted "Harness Happenings" on three Chicago area radio stations three days per week. Learned to announce the races thanks to Phil Georgeff.
Knew many horsemen/women and assisted with their real estate needs in the Chicago area but never was an owner until just 2 years ago. Why? Because too darn many people convinced me I needed a King's ransom or a banroll of anywhere from $25,000-50,000 to get started! How wrong they were, I've come to learn. I only wish I knew then, what I know now..... At the urging of my wife and staff I attended USTA drivers school in 2003, raced in 2 amateur races in 04', 5 races (best finish a close up second) in 05' and this year I joined the CKG Billings Series and raced in 18 events overall. Remained winless until Friday, December 1st when I broke my maiden at, of all places, the Meadowlands. Its thought to be the first time a driver won his first ever race at the Big M. Absolutely a thrill unlike anything one can imagine. What a rush.
The horse I drove has raced at Northfield (although not too well!) and I hope to drive there myself in the summer of 07 when my QF license will permit me to drive in the Summit or Cuyoga County Fair races held at Northfield.
What else can I tell you? I am on the Fair Board of the Ottawa County Fair in Holland, Michigan, home to the Wolverine Futurity. If I had my way, we'd be hosting the Billings Series as I would hope more tracks and Fairs would - its what the sport is all about, promoting it, showing it off and how even amateur drivers can participate. I believe it helps personalize the sport and helps it touch the 'average person.' However, the powers that be are narrowly focused on the Futurity and can't see the value of the Billings. Too darn bad, and I think the approach is wrong.
My wife and I are huge fans of the sport, for the simple love of the game and we'll likely never be in it for the big bucks. In the late 90's I was the 'almost' Exec. Director for a nearby State's Harness Horseman's Association and many thought I was the prime candidate to head up the USTA a few years back - but they, in their infinite wisdom pretty much stiffed me and while I very much should have been considered and interviewed, I never got off the gate, so to speak. Association Management is what I do for a living - I am the CEO of a large real estate trade Association in western Michigan. Moved here after 9 years in Iowa but will always be a 'Chicago Guy' according to many friends and relatives.
Its good to be here on your new site and actually I didn't find it on my own, got a e-mail from 'Believer' requesting that I take a look.....so, here we are and may you all have many winners in America's First Great Pastime, the sport of harness racing....enough for now, got on a roll, are you sorry you asked?
