Goshen matinee season concludes

Goshen, NY — Goshen Historic Track’s matinee races concluded Sunday (June 23) with a dominant win by Tommy Manza driving Goose Mountain to victory in the Open Pace, but the highlight might have been the first lifetime driving win by Rogelio “Reggie” Dominguez.

Manza, 63, of Middletown, N.Y., had not driven in a race since 2013. As the gate sprung Manza sent Goose Mountain right to the front and set comfortable fractions of :31.2, 1:02.3, 1:32.1 and a final quarter sprint of :28.1 to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Justice My Way and Brian Connor in a time of 2:00.2. Trained and owned by Jim Healey, it was Goose Mountain’s second matinee and first victory. Joined in the winner’s circle by family and friends, Manza had a smile from ear to ear.

Rogelio Dominguez steered his first win as a driver in only his second lifetime drive. Geri Schwarz photo.

Rogelio Dominguez, or Reggie as he is known to most, made it “Senor Day” when the native of Mexico steered his first win as a driver in only his second lifetime drive. Leaving from the rail with the Robert and Lannette Kirkorian owned Edge Of Insanity, Dominguez settled comfortably in the two hole behind Tom Merton and Celebrated Mr K.

Content to stay there until the top of the stretch the final time, Dominguez eased his horse out of the two hole and strolled away to a 1-3/4 length triumph in 2:10. Entering the winner’s circle both driver and horse were greeted by family and friends including Reggie’s wife Ali and his employer, Ray Schnittker.

John McDermott, a Historic Track resident, drove two horses he trains to victory on Sunday as You Cant Habit dominated the first race with 6-1/2 length victory in 2:05.2. McDermott came right back to win the second event with Hurrikanemyshannon, a nice looking 2-year-old by Artspeak out of Cheyenne Trish in 2:02.3.

McDermott was not done on the day as he turned over the lines on Hurrikane Kinglee to Brian Connor in the fourth race. Connor sat last to the half then buzzed right by them all, firing a :28.3 final quarter to seal the victory with the 3-year-old Art Major gelding.

There was a huge turnout for the races on both matinee Sundays, but the best is yet to come as Grand Circuit racing kicks off July 4, with County Fair races highlighted by plenty of local talent. July 5 is Landmark Stakes day, July 6 NYSS Excelsior Pace day with the Billings Trot highlighted, and the big day will be Sunday (July 7), Hall of Fame Day, featuring active Hall of Famers driving in a one-mile dash. Some drivers already committed for the race are David Miller, Brian Sears, Dick Stillings, Jimmy Takter, Wally Hennessey, Linda Toscano, Blair Burgess and Joe Holloway. Also, that day 3-year-old trotters will be touring the half-mile oval.

As always, Historic Track invites everyone to come down and enjoy the fanfare.

Any questions please contact Goshen Historic Track at 845.294.5333 or by email at info@goshenhistorictrack.com.

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