Goshen ready to move into motion

June 27, 2007

The little town of Goshen, N.Y., will come alive with multiple delights for harness racing fans starting this Saturday. Events center around the adjacent Historic Track and Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame.

Grand Circuit racing at Historic Track begins Saturday and runs through July 4, post time is at 1 p.m. each day, with admission $3 for adults and children 12 and under free. The track is located at 44 Park Place, grandstand seating and refreshments are offered. Because there is no wagering, the barn areas are open to the public.

Saturday's races feature New York-bred 3-year-old pacers going for a purse of $15,000 each, along with the Dr. John Farrell Memorial Ladies Race.

On Sunday, eight members of Harness Racing's Hall of Fame will compete in the $10,000 Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot, and sit down to meet the public and sign photos after the race. The drivers set to compete are Wally Hennessey, who will be inducted in to the Hall of Fame that evening, John Campbell, Clint Galbraith, Jim Doherty, Mike Lachance, John Simpson Jr., Dave Magee and Ron Pierce. Amateur drivers from the Billings series and Catskill Amateur Drivers Club will also race on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, members of the New Jersey Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association will serve complimentary cold lemonade on the plaza of the Harness Racing Museum from 2 to 4 p.m.

On July 2 and 3, the Landmark Stakes will be featured at Historic Track, with some of the sport's promising 2 year olds racing on Monday and 3 year olds taking over on Tuesday. July 4 rounds out the racing lineup with New York-bred races for 2 and 3 year olds. For more information on events at Historic Track, call (845) 294-5333.

The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, located at 240 Main Street, adjacent to the racetrack, offers free admission at all times and will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. On Sunday, the museum will cut the ribbon on a new exhibit, "Driven To Win" about some of racing's journeyman competitors. That evening, induction ceremonies will be held for Jimmy Arthur, Hennessey and Phil Langley, with Ray Brienza, Marie Hill, Dean Hoffman and John Manzi entering the Communicators Corner.

The Horse Hall of Fame will welcome Cam's Card Shark and Continentalvictory, while the deceased Bonefish enters as an Immortal. Information on museum events can be obtained by calling (845) 294-6330 or visit www.harnessmuseum.com, which also contains information on area accommodations.

Those who need just a little more action can find it at the Great American Weekend festival, which takes place throughout Goshen at locations within walking distance to the track and museum. A road race, craft and antique fair, book sale, rock climbing, face painting and many other activities are scheduled, with details at www.greatamericanweekend.com or call (845) 294-7741. (HRC)

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