Trainers look forward to racing at Historic Track
by Ken Weingartner
Ed Hart grew up near Goshen, N.Y., and as a teenager got his start in harness racing at the town’s racetracks, so it is no surprise he looks forward to returning with horses to Historic Track during the annual Grand Circuit meet.
“I always enjoy racing at Goshen,” said Hart, who was born in Warwick, N.Y., and now lives in Middletown. “I usually race at least one horse there every year. It’s a lot of fun. A lot of people show up there and there’s a lot of excitement.”
On Friday (July 3), Hart will send out Brickman in the first of two $15,000 New York Excelsior Series “A” divisions for 3-year-old male pacers at Historic Track. There are seven Excelsior events on the day’s card, with post time at 1 p.m. for the first race.
The Grand Circuit weekend at Historic Track begins Thursday with New York Fair Stakes. There will be Landmark Stakes on Saturday followed by Hall of Fame Day on Sunday.
Brickman was bred locally by Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc., Herbert Burns III and Stephen Demeter. That group along with Scott Lipps continues to own the gelding. Brickman is a son of Art Major out of the mare Regal Wish, and is a full brother to Just Add Vodka, a winner on the New York Sire Stakes circuit. The family also includes Dan Patch Award winners Bettor’s Delight, No Pan Intended, and Roll With Joe.
“He’s a nice horse,” Hart said about Brickman, who has one win in 10 career races and a mark of 1:51.3. “He’s just had a few issues, mostly breathing, allergy issues. I think he’ll turn into a real nice race horse. He’s been a little slow in coming, but he seems to be getting better now.”
Of course, an appreciation for Goshen and Historic Track is not limited to those who grew up in the area. Joann Perry — who about seven years ago began splitting her year between her home in Hawkinsville, Ga., (winter) and upstate New York (summer) — enjoys the atmosphere there as much as anyone.
“I love it,” said Perry, who will send out Haydens Little Man in the same Excelsior division as Brickman. “We always enjoy ourselves. It’s a beautiful place and I love the town. It’s gorgeous.”
The homebred Haydens Little Man, named after one of Perry’s grandsons, has won two of 19 career races. His father is American Ideal and his mother, Shady Matilda, was a world champion mare who in 2005 finished second in a Landmark Stakes at Historic Track for the Perry family.
Haydens Little Man has two second-place finishes and one third in his four most recent starts.
“I love the horses,” Perry said. “They end up being more family than they are an animal. We always name horses we’ve bred after family members. Hayden is 9 now, but he was the newest member of our family at the time.”
She added about Haydens Little Man, “He’s done well usually on the half-mile tracks around New York, so I hope he’s his normal self.”
For more about Historic Track, visit its website here.