Schnittker Stable is More Than “Check Me Out”
By Ken Weingartner/USTA
Check Me Out might be Ray Schnittker’s best known Hambletonian hopeful, but the 3-year-old filly – ready for her May 15 debut – is not his only one. She also is not his only good-looking female trotter as the stakes season begins to kick into gear.
Last weekend, Schnittker sent out 4-year-old trotting mare Jezzy and 3-year-old colt trotter Delano in qualifiers at the Meadowlands. Both won and received high marks from their trainer/owner afterward.
Delano won six of 15 races last year, primarily on the New York circuit, and earned $194,960. He went off stride in his first qualifier this year, but has since won two qualifiers in a row. The first came in 1:57.2 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs despite making an early break and falling 13-1/2 lengths behind the leader. The most recent was Saturday in 1:54.4 at the Meadowlands as he minded his manners.
“I put his old bridle back on,” Schnittker said. “”He’s been making a couple breaks on me; I put a blind bridle back on and he was very good. He was in against some nice horses. I think he’s going to be a Hambletonian horse. He’s a big strong horse.” Read more...
Historic Track Prepping for its 175th Season
of Harness Racing
By John Manzi for Goshen Historic Track
Goshen Historic Track, where it all started and where it is today, is gearing up for it 175th season of exciting harness racing and 2012 will mark the 102nd year of Grand Circuit Racing at “the Cradle of the Trotter”.
On tap this season will be three matinee programs on Sundays in June followed by five days of Grand Circuit racing from Friday, June 29 through Monday, July 2nd. Print out our schedule and see below for more information on upcoming events.
Farm and training center tour set for May 26
Thursday, April 26, 2012 - From the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State
A farm tour sponsored by the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund and hosted by the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State will be held for the general public. The tour will focuses on harness horse breeding and racing and will be held in Goshen at 9:00 a.m. on May 26.
The tour will begin at the Goshen Historic Track. This will afford an opportunity to observe some up and coming New York Sire Stakes contenders.
After visiting the Historic Track we will travel to Mark Ford’s training center to watch some horses put through their paces and learn about how the horses are cared for. You will also hear about how the harness racing industry supports the state economy by providing jobs and materials for the horse's care.
We will then travel to the Harness Racing Museum for a box lunch and a tour.
After lunch we will visit Blue Chip Farm, one of the largest breeding farms in New York State. We will be taken on a tour of the farm to visit some babies and young horses and again learn about the care and conditioning of these animals. The tour will wrap up with questions and discussions about how the horses provide agricultural advantages to the state. Handouts will also be available.
Those who are interested should call the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State at 518.785.5858 or e-mail info@hhbnys.com to register.
There is no fee but registration is required for lunch orders.
Harness Horse Youth Foundation Seeks
Teens For Goshen Horsemanship Camp
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation, with support from the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund, is sponsoring a harness horse leadership camp at the Goshen Historic Racetrack July 2-6, 2012. The preferred age of applicants for the overnight camp is 14-18 (as of 1/1/11). The camp fee is $200 which includes overnight accommodations, all meals and materials. The camp begins at 1 PM on Monday, July 2 and wraps up Friday, July 6 at 3 PM. Applicants from across the country are eligible, but are responsible for their own transportation to Goshen.
Applicants will work hands-on with the HHYF‘s stable of Trottingbred horses. Among the topics covered are care and grooming, equipment, conformation, lameness, history, stable management, and equine careers. A trip to the adjacent Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame is included. For complete details and a camp application, log on to http://www.hhyf.org/uploads/12GHTapplication.pdf. The camp is one of ten across the country being conducted by HHYF. For questions, please e-mail ellen@hhyf.org.
“Reaching out to youth is an important part of our mission – that's why we're delighted to again be teaming up with an organization of the caliber of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation.”
– Tim Gordon, Executive Director of the ANYSHBDF“This program is unique because of its leadership component. Many of our programs are focused on introducing younger students to harness racing, but this program is a more advanced event for high school age participants.”
– Ellen Taylor, HHYF Executive Director
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. The Foundation was established in 1976 and its programs include interactive learning experiences with these versatile animals, scholarship programs and educational materials. For more information on opportunities through HHYF and its mission, go to www.hhyf.org.
Stay With Us in 2012!
Last year was an eventful year at GHT. 2012 promises to be even more exciting!
Also: Check out our Photo Gallery!
