September 1st:
NY County Fair Finals
The New York County Fair Finals Close Our 114th Season
Our 114th racing season came to an exciting close with the New York County Fair Finals. It was a gray day to begin with, but just in time for post time, the sun came out to warm the enthusiasm of the crowds who came to see the finale of a series of non-pari-mutuel harness racing events that had been hosted at 19 county fairs across the state. These races feather eligible two-and three-year-old New York-bred Standardbred horses. There were 8 races in all. Among the day’s standouts were:
- Drama Club – 1:58.2 – 3-year-old pacing filly who went undefeated in the county fair races and final.
- Georgia Time – 2:01.0 – 2-year-old trotting filly who was also undefeated.
- Ms. Titan – 3-year-old trotting filly who was the 2-year-old county fair champion and repeated this year as the 3-year-old champion.
Look around you! Thanks to Track photographer Adam Ramli, you can get a 360o driver’s eye view of the races!
Taking the lead is Drama Club, 3TP, bringing a close to the NY County Fair Finals as the winner in the eighth race. • Photo by Adam Ramli
Goshen’s Great American Weekend had another reason to celebrate!
Goshen, NY • July 7th, 2024
Between the New York County Fair Races on July 5th • The NY Sire Stakes Pacers and 3-Year-Old Landmarks & C.K.G. Billings races on the 6th • The NY Sire Stakes Trotters and 2-Year-Old Landmarks & Hall of Fame Trot on July 7th, Goshen Historic Track was the place to be. Sure, it was rainy at times and always very hot, but the historic Harriman Stadium provided ample shade to the crowds who enjoyed a total of 28 races over the three days.
We’ll see you at Post time on September 1st!
Race #2, July 5, 2024. Off To The Start Track photography by Adam Ramli • Race photos are available
Goshen Historic Track’s 114th season gets off to a great start
Goshen, NY • July 5th, 2024
Eligible two and three year-old New York bred Standardbred horses were the stars of the show. The 10 races at the historic track showcased trotters and pacers from all over over New York State as part of the New York County Fair series. The races provided thrills galore for the crowds. The Grand Circuit Races at Goshen Historic Track are always a highlight of Goshen’s Great American Weekend, Orange County’s premier celebration of the Fourth of July.
For up-to-dare race results visit the USTA website. Click on “Fairs”.
We hope to see you at Post time, rain or shine!
Race #2, July 5, 2024. Slafko wins! Track photography by Adam Ramli • Race photos are available
Geri Schwarz at Goshen Historic Track • Photo by Adam Ramli
In Memory of Geri Schwarz
She made the tradition of Harness Racing come alive
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Geri Schwarz, Goshen Historic Track’s official photographer since 1998. She was a treasure, not just to us, but the entire harness racing industry. Over the years, Geri’s shots of Standardbred racing action, and behind-the-scenes activities, graced the pages and websites of countless media outlets. In 2014, she earned the Monticello/Goshen USTA Award in appreciation of her exceptional track photography.
We cherish memories of Geri always being at the finish line and at The Winners’ Circle, photographing the winners after every race. She was more comfortable behind a camera than in front of one, so we are very fortunate to have this picture of Geri in her element and, as you can see, very happy to be there.
Our 7th Annual Car Show was a hit!
Thank you to everyone who came out to make the 7th Annual Orange County Volunteer Fire Police Car Show and Food Truck Festival such a huge success! This year was bigger and better than ever!
It was a beautiful day. Great weather. Great turnout. About 3600 people visited the Track to enjoy magnificent vehicles of all makes and eras. There certainly was a lot of nostalgia, good times and good eating. 16 food trucks showed up offering a wide array of treats; 10 savory, 5 sweet and, of course, 1 popcorn!
Photography courtesy of Robb Gomulka and Jill Omen
Jill Omen Receives USHWA’s 2023 Amy Bull Crist Distinguished Service Award
Jill Omen receives Amy Bull Crist Award from Monticello-Goshen USHWA President, Chris Tully
At the annual Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the USHWA Dinner on December 10th, Jill Omen was this year’s recipient of the Amy Bull Crist Distinguished Service Award. Jill was commended for her exceptional efforts in promoting Goshen Historic Track as a vital community resource, as well as a local and national historic treasure. Since joining the Track’s staff in 2017, Jill has coordinated fundraising efforts that resulted in New York State Organization grants as well as laying the groundwork for several community events that have become annual fundraisers increasing in size and attendance with each passing year. One of these events, Junk in the Trunk, had 130 vendors, 5 food trucks and over 400 visitors in its inaugural year. In addition to working closely with the Auxiliary of Goshen Historic Track in their fundraising efforts, Jill often stepped in to take photographs and videos of activities and events that helped promote the world’s oldest active harness racing venue.
Amy Bull Crist Award winners Jill Omen, Eddie Glick and Linda Myers in the Track office
It is also our pleasure to report that Jill is in very good company. Two of her colleagues at the track have been previous recipients of the Amy Bull Crist Award. Linda Myers, who has been with the Track for 28 years and served under five directors, was the first to be so honored. Over the years, Linda has secured about $1M in grants and handles daily operations of the track including accounts receivable and accounts payable with over 75 vendors. She maintains correspondence with visitors to the track, including coordinating visits for youth groups. Linda is also involved in Grand Circuit race days by procuring advertisers, organizing financial reports and overseeing the production of daily race programs.
The other Amy Bull Crist Award winner is Eddie Glick, the Facility Supervisor at Goshen Historic Track. A lifelong area resident, Eddie has been working at the ‘Cradle of the Trotter’ for seven years full time. He oversees all the operations at the racetrack and training facility. Capable of housing 108 racehorses, the training center is home to about 50 head during the winter months. When Eddie is not working the harrow or adding water to the track, he ensures that the grounds are constantly manicured according to the season, and all of the buildings are properly maintained. It is often said that the Track has never looked better. In addition to the daily upkeep of the facility, Eddie has also played a key role in several large projects around the backstretch.
The day-to-day operations of Goshen Historic Track are anything but routine. The 21.7 acre historic racetrack and training facility requires constant overseeing and daily maintenance to function safely and effectively all year round, not just on race days. Amy Bull Crist would surely approve of USHWA’s decision to honor Jill Omen, Linda Myers and Eddie Glick in her name.
Junk In The Trunk; a day of finds, food and fun
Photos by Robb Gomulka
If one person’s junk can be another person’s treasure, Goshen Historic Track’s first ever Junk In The Trunk event was a cornucopia of keepsakes. In addition, there were crafters and collectors with one-of-a-kind offerings ready to trade, bargain and sell. If you missed it all, there is always next year!
There were 130 cars in all and we had 5 food trucks offering wood- fired pizza, sausage & peppers, pulled pork, smashed burgers, breakfasts, Puerto Rican coffee, ice cream and cookies.
Among the items the vendors were selling:
• Candles
• Household items
• Seasonal: Christmas/Halloween
• Furniture
• Dog treats
• Handmade wishing wells
• Native American Crafts
The Budweiser Clydesdales return
September 7, 2023. The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, sponsored by Dana Distributors, made a commanding appearance at Goshen Historic Track to the enjoyment of a large crowd. County Executive of Orange County Steve Neuhaus was also there to add to the cheers and take photos. The Clydesdales have been here before and are always welcomed. Of all the venues they participate in, ours is one of the most welcoming. They, too, are historic!
DID YOU KNOW: In April 1933, August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch III surprised their father, August A. Busch, Sr., with the gift of a six-horse Clydesdale hitch to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition of beer.
In order to join the World Famous Budweiser hitch, a Clydesdale must:
- stand at least 18 hands high (6 feet tall).
- be a gelding and at least 4 years old.
- have a bay coat, four white stockings, a blaze of white on the face, a black mane and a black tail.
- weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds.
Photos courtesy of Steve Neuhaus and Jill Omen
A sweet and/or savory time was had by all!
Thanks to two very special vendors from our area:
All For One One For All
Ice Capps of Goshen
Harness Horse Youth Foundation Collectibles
2023 Harness Heroes Sets Are Now Available!
As an annual host to one of HHYF’s stellar training events, Goshen Historic Track would not want you to miss an opportunity to collect these popular cards! They feature annual Dan Patch and O’Brien award winners as well as Hall of Famers!
Card sets have been produced annually since 1991.
The Harness Horse Youth Federation also offers packs of 10 random cards as handouts for youth groups, farm tours, and other promotional events. A limited number of previous years’ card sets are also available.
The suggested donation is $25 per set US funds.
For more details, please e-mail Ellen Taylor email hidden; JavaScript is required.
For more information and to order click here https://hhyf.org/harness-heroes/
Harness Horse Youth Foundation “Preserves the Tradition”
2023 Harness Horse Youth Foundation participants
Inset photograph by Walter Wlodarczyk • Track photos by Jill Omen
Returning to Goshen Historic Track for its 20th year, the Harness Horse Youth Foundation was a very well attended event. 21 young equestrians learned all aspects of harness racing; from horse care and safety precautions to equipment and the essentials of driving. A great time was had by all of the campers, especially when they took horses out onto the track!
2023 marks the 45th anniversary of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation. This year we were the 13th stop of 17 in what is a seven month tour dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses. The Foundation’s goal is to foster the next generation of harness racing participants and fans.
Assisting Ellen Taylor, the Foundation’s Director, were 3 outstanding drivers who took the boys and girls out on the track. D.R. Ackerman, an owner, trainer and driver and seasonal tenant at Goshen Historic Track, shared his expertise with the young harness racers. He helps Ellen on a regular basis. Shane Darish recipient of the Rising Star Award from the Monticello Goshen Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association was on hand sharing his knowledge with the happy campers. Finally, Bob Lasky, a great addition to the HHYF for the past three years, transported the horses from one location to the next, but also pitches in as a groom as well as an educator.
Thanks to Far Out Farm The Harness Horse Youth Foundation received a significant donation honoring one of the industry’s hardest working good guys, Chris Wittstruck, a Director of the Standardbred Owners Association of NY and pension trustee and member of USHWA. As a 501 (c) (3), HHYF operates primarily on the support of public and private donations. LEARN MORE
Before leaving Goshen Historic Track to head to the Hambletonian, Ellen wanted to acknowledge the entire Track staff who made HHYF once again feel like they were at home. Eddie, Bob and Richie did an amazing job in the maintenance department while Linda and Jill helped coordinate in the office. Goshen is always fun and exciting ! HHYF looks forward to returning in 2024. Goshen Historic Track takes pride in its historic mission to “Preserve the Tradition of Harness Racing”.
Goshen Historic Track looks back on its 113th Season
The weather during the three days of historic racing may have been iffy at times, but the enthusiasm of the crowds was anything but. Goshen Historic Track finished up its 113th season of racing with quite a few standout performances. Among them was Michelle Miller, who pulled ahead of the competition with Myviewisblocked in Race 5.
Michelle Miller and “MyViewIsBlocked” lead all the way in a tightly contested race 7/3/23 | Photo by Adam Ramli
Looking Back…
The Track was very fortunate to have a new photographer at this year’s races, covering historic moments alongside veteran Track Photographer Geri Schwarz. Adam Ramli’s camera caught a lot of excitement in 3 amazing days. See what you might have missed.
Eddie Glick receives the Amy Bull Crist Distinguished Service Award
Monday, December 13, 2021 | Goshen, NY
by Chris Tully, Monticello-Goshen Chapter of USHWA
Eddie Glick is the Facility Supervisor at Goshen Historic Track. A lifelong area resident, Glick has been working at the ‘Cradle of the Trotter’ for seven years full time.
“I have been working the track itself for over twenty years,” noted Glick. “I used to help out during the Grand Circuit and during snow storms part time.”
But now Glick oversees all the operations at the racetrack and training facility. Capable of housing 108 racehorses, the training center is home to about 50 head during the winter months. When Glick is not working the harrow or adding water to the stone dust he ensures that the shaving bins are full and that the manure bins are neat and tidy. In addition to the daily maintenance of the facility, Glick has also played a key role in several large projects around the backstretch.
“We renovated the Arden Barn extension, completed the Fleming Barn and performed a complete remodel and renovation of the grandstand. The seating area received a complete water proof liner that now protects the entire lower level from the elements.”
At 110 years old, the Goshen Historic Track grandstand is always in need of some maintenance, and Glick has also overseen the renovation of the interior lower level offices to protect from past water issues and age-related deterioration. In addition, the roof of the Grandstand as well as the infield Judges Stands, have been replaced in the last decade.
Of course, with many racetracks being built on the lowest, and often soggiest, sections of town, Goshen is no exception. “We have a constant battle with the elements to eradicate water from the track during the winter months. Many tracks were built on
wetlands, and this track is definitely in a soup bowl,” Glick says with a chuckle. “The infield has a clay base so it does not shed water too well.”
So what’s next on the agenda? “We want to address the aging tote board in the infield. That needs some TLC, for sure,” noted Glick. “And we are also improving the floors and some of the substructure in the race paddock. New concrete is being poured, with new posts and fresh lumber and paint applied as necessary. There is always something to fix. We must make the racing a great experience for everyone.”