Harness Racing Greatest Nights

[theokodjak26]

There have been many great races over the years but I have only been to a few where the grandstands were literally shaking. I will only mention two and let other Ploppers share their experiences.

August 23, 1969 39,000 fans at RR to see Nevele Pride park the mare Uni de Mai for 1 1/4 miles only to lose to this incredible trotter. For the last half mile RR felt like a 5.0 earthquake was unfolding. And although most fans were rooting for Pride, when that French mare came back to the winners circle everyone was on their feet applauding her. It was an incredible performance and night.

My second entry was not about a race although racing did occur. August 31, 1973. Monticello Raceway’s biggest crowd, about 17,500, packed the place to watch the Ike and Tina Turner Review. We had great seats in the grandstand, windows down, dining room packed and this place was ready to take off. A young Tina Turner was shaking and singing her stuff without ever breaking stride. People were standing up singing and dancing. The sweat was dripping off Tina on this warm August night. Standing ovations multiple times. Another fabulous event in my lifetime.

So what are yours fellow Ploppers?

[Fuguzzi]

I was 19 years old and on my own for the first time grooming 2 horses for a trainer named Bernie Proud at Pocono in 1983. Late summer, the track put on a free concert, literally free starring a young and relatively new , Bryan Adams, along with Joan Jett. Needless to say, given the price, FREE, the place was packed beyond belief. Kevin Reynolds and his father literally sat with shotguns in front of their barn for fear the "hippies" would try to do damage to their horses. Awesome concert, real loud, lotsa hot girls. Great memory especially being out on my own...

[comeonman]

when Vernne won the hambo.....it was rockin  .fans ran to winner circle.. the home base fans of Vernne were all there.... insanity

[riley]

      

[Jazzman]

thankyou also eligable great memory everone cheering for jeff it was great and i was there

[Fuguzzi]

https://youtu.be/UwUV3GVOehw?si=Qiw9IajyrXmmOd31

Impressive 2 yo performance by Dragons Lair, parked out good by Tommy to blazing quarter 26.3 Stillings heavy with the whip deep stretch. No response from Nihilator when tipped, but he will sure make up for it at 3   Nice video  Ty for sharing.

[theokodjak26]

Great performance, great crowd. The only thing I didn’t care for was having to listen to Roger Houston’s annoying voice and calls. He’s never been my cup of tea.

[Fuguzzi]

Great performance, great crowd. The only thing I didn’t care for was having to listen to Roger Houston’s annoying voice and calls. He’s never been my cup of tea.

Preaching to the choir. I never got the Roger Huston thing. Trying to create excitement where it doesn't exist. Screaming "3 WIDE" on some random Wednesday in March because some $7500 claimer is going wide to nowhere with mike Wilder while the leader has 4 lengths on top. He sucks huge.     Interestingly, Roger is much better when doing color commentary or recounting history in a subdued voice.

[Harness Stats]

I disliked listening to him to when he was "The Voice" at The Meadows and would take Bergstein over him any day of the week for the Jug, but his race calls and his shout out bet nowwwww  are just his announcer persona. 

No one could be like that 100% of the time without keeling over a long time ago.  Could they?

[Fuguzzi]

Prolly not!  LOLOL

[SeattleSlew]

1964 Roosevelt International-Was relatively young, had never been in a crowd like that in my life anywhere, except for the ballpark.. and that is not the same as being elbow to elbow.  I am not sure of the exact attendance that night, but it was >40,000) and Speedy Scott put on a great show (really powerful, big trotter, with Ralph Baldwin at the lines).  I had been to YR and RR several times, but this night got me "hooked" with the pageantry, parading with flags, lights dimmed etc. 

In the following 10 years the International Trot was won by a mare 8 times, and living nearby, I was able to enjoy being there in person each of those years (and many years after.)

[Fuguzzi]

1964 Roosevelt International-Was relatively young, had never been in a crowd like that in my life anywhere, except for the ballpark.. and that is not the same as being elbow to elbow.  I am not sure of the exact attendance that night, but it was >40,000) and Speedy Scott put on a great show (really powerful, big trotter, with Ralph Baldwin at the lines).  I had been to YR and RR several times, but this night got me "hooked" with the pageantry, parading with flags, lights dimmed etc. 

In the following 10 years the International Trot was won by a mare 8 times, and living nearby, I was able to enjoy being there in person each of those years (and many years after.)

Hey buddy, Did Petite Evander with Eddie Dunnigan ever appear in an Int. Trot?

[theokodjak26]

Fug this one’s for you. The attendance for the 1964 International Trot was 46,614. Aug 22, 1964. That was the year RR set all their attendance and handle records. I was only 13 years old and not there. I am sure a lot of fans were wearing suits, ties and dresses. BTW 18 nights later the RR Twin Double paid a record $172,276 for $2.00. Did you have it? 

[Fuguzzi]

No, I was 1 year old and asleep before post time.

[Fuguzzi]

Fug this one’s for you. The attendance for the 1964 International Trot was 46,614. Aug 22, 1964. That was the year RR set all their attendance and handle records. I was only 13 years old and not there. I am sure a lot of fans were wearing suits, ties and dresses. BTW 18 nights later the RR Twin Double paid a record $172,276 for $2.00. Did you have it? 

Nevele Pride vs. Une De Mai - clash of the TITANS!