best driving racetrack colonies.....

[Fuguzzi]

John Patterson jr   Donald Dancer   Luc Ouellette all did well vs that crew too and  of course, John Chapman

[Fuguzzi]

and Jimmy Marohn

[Fuguzzi]

Freehold 70s and 80s had a horrible crew. Sure Herve and Catman showed up to gamble and fix races, but cmon Billy Bresnahan was leading driver, so that tells you everything

[Fuguzzi]

Saratoga harness late 70s / early 80s fair to midlin at best   JP Morel leading driver  Percy davis - excellent horseman, then you had Frank Coppolla, Bert Belanger, Dave Gagner, Dan Wilsey, Perry Simser. I am aware Bill O'donnell launched from there  Not to forget good ole Harold Story

[theokodjak26]

I agree. That Yonkers group was pretty amazing. Even some of the second tier drivers at YR /RR in those days weren’t bad. Andy Santeramo won a bunch of races in NY during those days. Then there were George Sholty, Frank Tagliaro, Billy Myers, Billy Hudson, Randy Perry, John Chapman and Ben Webster. As far as the worst driving colony Monticello Raceway was pretty bad with a few exceptions. I do recall hitting a big ticket at MR in the 70’s when NHL goalie Gilles Villimure somehow won from post 9 during the off season. By the way the YR/RR tracks had the best race callers too. Bullet Bob Myers and Jack E. Lee. Much better than the so called “Voice” at the Meadows.

[Fuguzzi]

My family raced a horse named Sublime at MR around 1979. Anyway he had the 8 hole and Bobby Pettito was driving. Going down the backstretch the horse on the lead fell suddenly and caused a horrific pile up and our horse was literally the only one standing. Obviously he won the race and we got the entire purse. Maybe 1200 back then. Of course, wagering money was refunded EXCEPT for the few fools who bet on him. WPS on our horse was cashed, believe it or not. Everything else refunded. It was shown that night on the PIX news in NYC with Sal Marciano    Good ole Bobby Pettito   lolol

[theokodjak26]

Wasn’t Bobby Petito the driver who wore extremely thick glasses because he could barely see?

[Fuguzzi]

You may be right   for some reason I cant recall that for sure   small guy  mustache  pleasant always smiling  light blue and red colors

[Generation XYZ]

how about the Scioto Crew.

[rainman2]

The Pompano Park crew!  Bruce Ranger, Wally Hennessey, Kevin Wallis, Peter Wrenn, Joe Pavia Jr., Mickey McNichol, Tom Sells (RIP), et al.  Don't forget 'bling bling' Andy Santeramo, et al and I'm sure I missed a few other infamous drivers.  Please add on to the list and any stories!

[harnessplop]

Yonkers now, half mile Jason Bartlett sensational, Jordan s , Brennan, Holland, kakaley. ..sensational half mile drivers

[harnessplop]

Roosevelt 80s.  Carmine, Gilmour, John Patterson trotters, popfingers,  100k briefcase man Mike lachance....easil y roosevelt 80s. Now yonkers

[Chips N Salsa]

Yonkers now, half mile Jason Bartlett sensational, Jordan s , Brennan, Holland, kakaley. ..sensational half mile drivers

Your joking right?  Other than Brennan not one of these guys could survive at the Meadowlands.  George Brennan is a driver.  The rest are gunners and have zero strategy or talent.  You could put any 140pd knucklehead up behind Bartlett horses and get same result.  Hand them the lines / yell at them and kick them every now and again.  You know why they call him Bingo at the Meadowlands? OOOOOOO - 57

[Fuguzzi]

Your joking right?  Other than Brennan not one of these guys could survive at the Meadowlands.  George Brennan is a driver.  The rest are gunners and have zero strategy or talent.  You could put any 140pd knucklehead up behind Bartlett horses and get same result.  Hand them the lines / yell at them and kick them every now and again.  You know why they call him Bingo at the Meadowlands? OOOOOOO - 57

I agree with you 100%  Almost the same words I was going to say! As for Jason Bartlett, I think he is one of the most overrated drivers in the sport. To me he is basically the YR version of Bruce Aldrich jr.

[harnessplop]

I said half Mile drivers....