Harold Zahn to be remembered at Balmoral

On Saturday, April 10, family members and friends will gather at Balmoral Park for the ninth annual Harold Zahn Memorial Race, a tribute that was initiated by his son, Dale Zahn, and his wife LaVonne, now residents of Holland, Mich. The group will present a specially prepared Purple and White Blanket in the winner’s circle following the race.

 

Why purple? It’s because Harold was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for service in the Battle of The Bulge in WWII. Harold was a very proud and patriotic American.

 

“Dad would have been so darn proud to see us actively involved in the great sport of Harness Racing,” said Dale Zahn about his father, who unfortunately died without ever seeing the Zahn name in the racing program as owners or seeing his son put on the red, white and blue colors and drive in the amateur races.

 

Up until a few days prior to his death in 2002, Harold Zahn, of Park Forest, Ill., would be perched in his usual second-floor clubhouse seat at Balmoral Park. You'd find him perusing his programs, drinking hot black coffee and smoking a cigarette. Cash vouchers would be in the left-side shirt pocket for wagering purposes.

 

Prior to his later years he and his son and his WWII buddies could regularly be found on the first-floor grandstand and on the apron near the finish line. Simply put, Zahn was a die-hard harness racing fan. He loved the races. A painter by trade, he once painted driver Harry Burright's helmet—that’s the closest he got to the sport other than being a fan in the grandstand and clubhouse.