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General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: balmoralfan on May 21, 2020, 08:45:09 AM

Title: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: balmoralfan on May 21, 2020, 08:45:09 AM: We were arguing at the farm recently about the time Balmoral had a charity race. 4 celebs were drivers. Ditka, Gary Fencik, Willie Gault, and I say the 4th was George Steinbrenner (who had a piece of the track back then (late 80s ?).

Who can confirm this. I say too they did NOT tandem race and each was in the bike by themselves.

There's having to but coffee and donuts riding on this tmbz1
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: Rabbi Of Racing on May 21, 2020, 09:17:45 AM: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-01-19-8803230647-story.html In the middle of the article it talks about it
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: dukeman on May 21, 2020, 09:34:06 AM: CELEBRITY RACING ALWAYS A BAD IDEA. I REMEMBER WHEN RICK BARRY THE HOOPS PLAYER AND BIG JOHN STUDD HOOKED WHEELS AND GOT DUMPED MANY YEARS AGO AT SARATOGA, NEITHER ONE HAD A CLUE WHAT THEY WERE DOING OUT THERE
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: HornbyDuke on May 21, 2020, 09:41:25 AM: How about George Steinbrenner?

Understand it was at Saratoga Harness back in 90's where he finally decided to trade Jay Buehner to Seattle for Kenny Phelps.
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: old guy on May 21, 2020, 09:47:52 AM: 1986 The Plimpton amateur series at Pompano.... George Steinbrenner, Steve Mizerak, Ken Snake Stabler, Kim Bokemper, and George Plimpton
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: comeonman on May 21, 2020, 10:11:59 AM: Oleg Cassini
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: albitchross on May 21, 2020, 10:31:02 AM: here is video of steinbrenner driving at PPK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRNScXO2KhQ
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: HornbyDuke on May 21, 2020, 11:05:42 AM: Thank you! Great video - not a bad drive by George. Luv the horse name - Pinstripes. tmbz1
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: hasbeen on May 21, 2020, 12:09:22 PM: I watched this race from Maywood. late '87 or '88.I won $20 off vampire Tony betting on Willy Gault. I figured he was the lightest on the bike and the best in shape. so long as his horse kept stride I thought it was a good bet. no one bet Fencik. most everyone bet Ditka and a few bet Steinbrenner. Willy got away 3rd or 4th but there was a duel up front so when he made his move it was obvious no one would catch him.
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: captain cash on May 21, 2020, 01:08:19 PM: This goes out to comeonman or Njbest..I remember Oleg Cassini driving at freehold...I remember his colors and they weren't what he's got here...anyway..di d George ever drive at freehold? I wanna say yes..not sure..
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: LUCPARK on May 21, 2020, 01:14:04 PM: Ditka was a BIG FCKIN JERKOFF

AND STILL IS
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: Calhoun on May 21, 2020, 01:41:19 PM: Quote from: LUCPARK on May 21, 2020, 01:14:04 PM
Ditka was a BIG FCKIN JERKOFF

AND STILL IS
Correct.

His place on Chestnut with the upstairs Cigar bar was pathetic. Filled with half-fags.
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: Liberace on May 21, 2020, 01:52:29 PM: Quote from: Calhoun on May 21, 2020, 01:41:19 PM
Correct.
His place on Chestnut with the upstairs Cigar bar was pathetic. Filled with half-fags.
DID YOU GET ANY OF THEIR NUMBERS? :1 11.bz 11.tb 11.htcrl
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: Gregory Rich on May 21, 2020, 09:26:00 PM: How about Wade Boggs as a celebrity driver? So drunk he needed help getting on the cart.
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: Gregory Rich on May 21, 2020, 10:24:49 PM: This guy had a thick mustache with beer suds in it and would take the day off if Randy Johnson was pitching
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: DEEPSTRETCH on May 22, 2020, 10:05:20 PM: It wasnt a tandem race . I also believe Ditka won ... I will try to find some pictures.
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: Overcheck on May 23, 2020, 12:06:30 AM: Quote from: Gregory Rich on May 21, 2020, 09:26:00 PM
How about Wade Boggs as a celebrity driver? So drunk he needed help getting on the cart.
Hell, sounds like he would fit right in ngc3 ngc3
Title: Re: Who remembers Mike Ditka driving in a harness race?
Post by: NJ The best on May 24, 2020, 12:24:02 AM: Oleg has red and white colors almost a red rouche . Don’t remember George driving there but can say that definitely. John the count montafusco did though .