Best New Years Days

[Meadow Ford]

BACK IN THE DAY!
Maywood ended their meet on Dec. 31.
Hawthorne started their meet with a double header on Jan. 1.
The best was to race New Years Eve at Maywood.
Ship to and set up at Hawthorne at one or two o'clock in the morning. (No traffic No congestion in barn area)
Race Jan. 1 doubleheader and sleep Jan. 2
Now that was the way to start the New Year!!
How about you?

[LUCPARK]

 

GRETA TIMES AND MEMORIES

[Mohawk mac]

Back in the day, each Chicago harness racing meet was unique.  I loved the variety.  There was something special about the Hawthorne winter meet with doubleheaders 3 days a week.  Especially opening day.   

[LAW AND ORDER]

I WAS JUST A KID BUT THOSE WERE FUN TIMES. I COULDNT BELIEVE IT WAS SO COLD AND SNOW ASS DEEP AND THEY WOULD STILL RACE NO MATTER WHAT. MAYBE JUST A FEW DELAYS TO SCRAPE THE TRACK BUT THE HORSEMEN WERE THE GREATEST BACK THEN AND WOULD PUT ON THE SHOW ANYWAY. HOW THE TIME FLIES. GREATEST THING ABOUT HAWTHORNE WAS THAT LANGLEY AND DOC HAD NO SAY. IT WASNT THEIR TRACK TO TRY AND CALL THE SHOTS AND PLAY FAVORITES. THAT RACE SECRETARY BOB SOMETHING, I CANT REMENBER HIS NAME WAS THE BEST. ALWAYS NICE AND FAIR WITH THE HORSEMEN. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ONCE GREAT CHICAGO HARNESS RACING SCENE. I MEAN DID THE JOHNSONS AND LANGLEY FUCK IT UP THAT BAD??

[Meadow Ford]

Bob Larry race sec at Haw.

[Mohawk mac]

Race Sec was Bob Larry.  Admired and liked by virtually everyone.  Illinois racing was killed for a number of reasons.  But the two biggest were the deadly combination of greedy track owners and crooked or ineffectual politicians.   

I WAS JUST A KID BUT THOSE WERE FUN TIMES. I COULDNT BELIEVE IT WAS SO COLD AND SNOW ASS DEEP AND THEY WOULD STILL RACE NO MATTER WHAT. MAYBE JUST A FEW DELAYS TO SCRAPE THE TRACK BUT THE HORSEMEN WERE THE GREATEST BACK THEN AND WOULD PUT ON THE SHOW ANYWAY. HOW THE TIME FLIES. GREATEST THING ABOUT HAWTHORNE WAS THAT LANGLEY AND DOC HAD NO SAY. IT WASNT THEIR TRACK TO TRY AND CALL THE SHOTS AND PLAY FAVORITES. THAT RACE SECRETARY BOB SOMETHING, I CANT REMENBER HIS NAME WAS THE BEST. ALWAYS NICE AND FAIR WITH THE HORSEMEN. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ONCE GREAT CHICAGO HARNESS RACING SCENE. I MEAN DID THE JOHNSONS AND LANGLEY FUCK IT UP THAT BAD??

[Stan durbread]

Race Sec was Bob Larry.  Admired and liked by virtually everyone.  Illinois racing was killed for a number of reasons.  But the two biggest were the deadly combination of greedy track owners and crooked or ineffectual politicians.   

You do realize the reason Johnstons filed bankruptcy was because they got whacked for a settlement and 75% of the money had been payed out in purses   Right??

[Stan durbread]

There is a nice 2 part article on the demise of Illinois racing on Harnesslink

[Meadow Ford]

Race Sec was Bob Larry.  Admired and liked by virtually everyone.     

[Sweet Louis]

Internet and OTBs are a big reason harness racing is dead...I've always said as much as technology has helped the world its hurt it twice as much especially with people under 30-35...but going to the track was always a blast especially on big card days....living in SW PA even the Adios was always a big day...Afternoon n Night card...dinner after the 1st card was done and partying during the night card and after there was always a big crowd at the bar at the Holiday Inn after..not gonna give details of the party though because I may be still wanted after some of them.