Niatross 1:49.1 - 43 yrs ago

[albitchross]

October 1, 1980

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlZCF-g3__I

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

The most amazing feat in the history of Harness Racing. For him to go sub 1:50 in 1980 was incredible. You have to understand that if you were alive and following harness racing back then, breaking 2 minutes was still respectable. That accomplishment in todays racing would be similar to a horse going in 1:42.

[Brown jug]

thanks for posting
having watched that i would like to see more time trials in todays racing
 is it not the true test of a horses speed and stamina, having to cut all fractions on their own and not having it set up by others and just pacing the last 1/4
with all due to respect to recent 3 yr olds, please do not compare them to this animal, its not even close

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

thanks for posting
having watched that i would like to see more time trials in todays racing
 is it not the true test of a horses speed and stamina, having to cut all fractions on their own and not having it set up by others and just pacing the last 1/4
with all due to respect to recent 3 yr olds, please do not compare them to this animal, its not even close

Well said. Niatross was our Secretariat.

[TimTimTimbo]

The most amazing feat in the history of Harness Racing. For him to go sub 1:50 in 1980 was incredible. You have to understand that if you were alive and following harness racing back then, breaking 2 minutes was still respectable. That accomplishment in todays racing would be similar to a horse going in 1:42.

Yep, pretty amazing

[Fuguzzi]

The most amazing feat in the history of Harness Racing. For him to go sub 1:50 in 1980 was incredible. You have to understand that if you were alive and following harness racing back then, breaking 2 minutes was still respectable. That accomplishment in todays racing would be similar to a horse going in 1:42.

I was very much aware of Niatross back then. I knew Billy and Marie fairly well. Anyway, i completely agree with the thrust of your post. I remember they announced it in every paddock in the nation when it happened or later that evening actually. I was racing in NE that night and a roar rose up in the paddock. It was like we landed on the moon. not exactly 1.42 because I don't think we will ever live to see a Standardbred pacer crack 1.45 for a mile. At least i wont.

[Fuguzzi]

Dan Patch 1.55 free legged in 1906! His race bike had to be redesigned twice because he paddled so wide so fast he kept striking it.
MIndboggling. It is said he retired only because no one would race him. Held 14 World Records and although, it may be a myth, it is said he never broke.

The speed he possessed on the surfaces he raced with the equipment he wore is impossible to truly assess. if you adjust only 10 seconds for all factors, it puts you at 1.45 - crazy!

[Fuguzzi]

Two other points, I have made before and am willing to take a spanking on them if need be -

1  Imagine if Niatross had a real trainer / driver
2  I firmly believe Nihilator could have beaten his Daddy in a race. Consistently, maybe not, but at least once.

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

Two other points, I have made before and am willing to take a spanking on them if need be -

1  Imagine if Niatross had a real trainer / driver
2  I firmly believe Nihilator could have beaten his Daddy in a race. Consistently, maybe not, but at least once.

He definitely would have beaten him the day he went over the rail at Saratoga.

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

Dan Patch 1.55 free legged in 1906! His race bike had to be redesigned twice because he paddled so wide so fast he kept striking it.
MIndboggling. It is said he retired only because no one would race him. Held 14 World Records and although, it may be a myth, it is said he never broke.

The speed he possessed on the surfaces he raced with the equipment he wore is impossible to truly assess. if you adjust only 10 seconds for all factors, it puts you at 1.45 - crazy!

He was definietly way ahead of his time. If you compare his looks to other horses of that era, you will notice he is much more refined. He looks like a standardbred from 30 years ago and not 115.

Dan Patch movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E0zn-EAVQQ

[Fuguzzi]

He was definietly way ahead of his time. If you compare his looks to other horses of that era, you will notice he is much more refined. He looks like a standardbred from 30 years ago and not 115.

Dan Patch movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E0zn-EAVQQ

That's right and a fantastic point. A great point! He certainly did. I just looked at 2 pics Hell,he looks better than most thoroughbreds of his day. again, an excellent observation on your part!

[Stan durbread]

I was very much aware of Niatross back then. I knew Billy and Marie fairly well. Anyway, i completely agree with the thrust of your post. I remember they announced it in every paddock in the nation when it happened or later that evening actually. I was racing in NE that night and a roar rose up in the paddock. It was like we landed on the moon. not exactly 1.42 because I don't think we will ever live to see a Standardbred pacer crack 1.45 for a mile. At least i wont.

A 45 mile is just around the corner. Not sure it will happen next weekend with the weather and only 2 real contenders. If only the powers that be would move the $$ from 2 to 4 it would happen quicker. But the breeders want people to replace horses every year or 2 not 3-4.

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

A 45 mile is just around the corner. Not sure it will happen next weekend with the weather and only 2 real contenders. If only the powers that be would move the $$ from 2 to 4 it would happen quicker. But the breeders want people to replace horses every year or 2 not 3-4.

I think Bulldog would have broken 1:45 if he was prompted.

[Fuguzzi]

Believe me I wanna see 44 and something. just seems like the sustained fractions are almost, stress that, almost unattainable. We're talking 4 consecutive ( lower ) 26 and a pieces. That would make my heart stop!

[Bernie Madoff]

Want to see a REAL race horse?



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F54-rnGMUFw