HORSEPLOP.COM
General Category => Nostalgia => Topic started by: The Thorn on August 30, 2023, 02:49:21 PM
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In a couple months it will be the 100th birthday of Billy Haughton. To me he was a hero like Mickey Mantle, both ruled NY at the same time too. (Billy probably made more money considering how little baseball players were paid in those days)
I never met the man but perhaps some of you have some interesting stories or at least can name some of your favorite's of his. Mine was Handle With Care. Here is a summary of some of his incredible achievements
He was one of only three drivers to win the Hambletonian four times, the only one to win the Little Brown Jug five times, and the only one to win the Messenger Stakes seven times. With a career record of 4,910 wins and about $40 million in earnings, he was first in annual winnings 12 times – 1952–59, 1963, 1965, 1967, and 1968 – and in heats won from 1953 to 1958.
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I spent five winters on the training side of Pompano.
I dodged many sets of the Green Wave.
Back when they trained 5, 6, or 7 in a set and three trips.
That said there was a Green Wave coming at you at all times.
One year Billy sunburned his face real bad. Fishing (maybe drinking) out on the ocean. His face was peeling real bad.
He fixed up a screen and white towel to cover his fase so he could train, and keep the dirt of his face. He looked like a bandit going into a bank.
I grew up in the mid-west idealizing Haughton, Miller, Dancer ETC.
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I enjoy hearing these old stories really does bring back the nostalgia of harness racing.
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They made a documentary about "The Green Wave" So sad that just a few years later they both were gone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvC_3CsquBY
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They made a documentary about "The Green Wave" So sad that just a few years later they both were gone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvC_3CsquBY
Thank You for posting.
I had not seen that documentary.
First a smile then goosebumps then a tear.
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I liked the saddle pads on some of the 2yr olds that instead of a number on them, they said FOR SALE on them! ngc3