Opening Night Meadowlands 9/1/1976

[old guy]

ernie raced for a time in Canada......he had a picture of a spruce tree on the back of his driver/trainer suit,,,,you couldn,t miss him

Pierce worked for him I think

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

Pierce worked for him I think

Ernie had a gorgeous daughter named Norma. She worked for the Meadowlands back in the day. I was sad to find out she passed away. She was always so nice to me and my family when we raced there.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/northjersey/name/norma-campbell-obituary?id=27033193

[mtnskipper]

Wasn't Teddy Wing the leading driver in 1976?

He fled Foxboro and their 5000.00 invitationals and arrived with Ripping Chief and another horse to drive. I will catch drive here. I know I am as good as these legendary stalwarts from around here. He later became a God at Yonkers.

[pylon]

Pierce worked for him I think

Ron or his father Don?

[Gaagoots]

The question is how many times would Ted Wing come back in the post parade to make adjustments! He was a character for sure I always enjoyed his company with that cigarette holder.

[Gaagoots]

Bregman Hanover was a real good horse in his day. Probably made 500K. Another free legged horse Ernie Spruce had was Brigadier General.

Man are you bringing up memories Mike!

I think Ernie also had Southern Sam who would kick the jog cart to pieces.

[old guy]

Ron or his father Don?

Ron at the Meadowlands. Might have taken care of Lime Time

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Pierce worked for him I think

He did.

[The Thorn]

I was there as well and have the program too.  It was mobbed and Rambling Willie won the feature in 1:55:3 I believe that night.  Someone is selling it on eBay for 119.00. I did not know it was worth that.

It's not worth that.  You can ask anything you want, but the last one sold was a few months ago for Seven Bucks.  People dream that their "collectible" is worth a fortune as a sucker IS born every minute.

I was there that day too.  The death of NY half mile racing started there.  I hated it at first because I was a rail guy with a stopwatch at Yonkers and Roosevelt, and could see how a horse was looking and training down a hell of a lot better than at the big track.  Way easier to throw horses out who looked horrible.

[Jackie Mo]

He fled Foxboro and their 5000.00 invitationals and arrived with Ripping Chief and another horse to drive. I will catch drive here. I know I am as good as these legendary stalwarts from around here. He later became a God at Yonkers.

Ted had a horse named Wilcos Data that was pretty nice--around 1984 or so

[SeattleSlew]

Race 3: NW $5000 Last 7; Winners of $18,000 in 1976 ineligible

1.) Howie Mann         Carl LeCause         J. McGuire
2.) Baron Frost         Dale Ross               Dale Ross
3.) Sleepy Hal         Vincent Ferriero         Vincent Ferriero
4.) Frankie P.            James Larente         James Larente
5.) Apollo Dan         Eldon Harner            Eldon Harner
6.) Mystic Vic         Abe Stoltzfus            C. Boyd/Stoltzfus Stable
7.) Shayne Barmin      Billy  Haughton         Billy Haughton
8.) Cocky Success      Ken McNutt            J. Huggins Jr.
9.) J. O. Time            Buddy Gilmour         Don Sider
10.) Penny’s Image   Ben Webster            M. Reed Jr.

Interesting exacta combo of the 8.) and 9.) (for Lance??)

[BigBen7]

3 Favorites
LeBaron Rouge (Robert Sampson)
Genius Kahn and Guts
The memories!!

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

Man are you bringing up memories Mike!

I think Ernie also had Southern Sam who would kick the jog cart to pieces.

I am sure you consider yourself lucky to have been around harness racing when it was actually a beautiful sport. I know I do.

[The Thorn]

3 Favorites
LeBaron Rouge (Robert Sampson)
Genius Kahn and Guts
The memories!!

WTF is a Genius Kahn?  You are definitely not a genius to write that.  I assume you mean Genghis Khan

[SeattleSlew]

3 Favorites
LeBaron Rouge (Robert Sampson)
Genius Kahn and Guts
The memories!!

Guts (on the mile track) and Nickawampus Leroy (on the half-miler) were the "Silky Sullivans" of Harness Racing, able to close ferociously in the last 3/8 of a mile.  Nickawampus always looked like he was about to kick himself (very "racky" gaited).