by John Manzi, for Historic Track

Goshen, NY — Goshen Historic Track, where it all started and where it still is today, is prepping for its 182nd season of exciting harness racing and 2018 will be the 108th year of Grand Circuit racing at “the Cradle of the Trotter.”

Racing action this year commenced with three matinee racing programs on the consecutive Sundays of June 3, June 10 and June 17 and this year marked the 57th consecutive season of matinee racing over the historic double-oval.

Grand Circuit racing begins on Friday (June 29) and will feature the Landmark Stakes and the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Series. Then on Saturday (June 30), 3-year-old pacers will be featured in New York Sires Stakes action.

However, the crème de la crème of the racing meet is the $10,000 Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge T. Gerry Memorial Trot which will be presented on Sunday (July 1) and features various members of harness racing’s Hall of Fame at the controls, which has always been a fan favorite. Hall of Famers who will be participating this season include Brian Sears, David Miller, Jimmy Takter, Dave Palone, Dick Stillings, Wally Hennessey and Ron Waples.

Autograph cards will be distributed to the first 500 race-goers on Sunday (July 1) and then after that featured race is completed the Hall of Famers will be available for photos and autographs.

Also slated on the July 1 card is the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters and the race under saddle. And then in the evening, on the lawn of the Harness Racing Museum, will be the annual Hall of Fame banquet.

The 2018 racing season ends on Monday (July 2) with the New York Sire Stakes for horses competing in the County Fair division.

All post times for racing will be at 1 p.m.

Also part of the Historic Track offerings this season will be the Goshen High School graduation on Friday (June 22) followed by a concert on the facility’s stage on Friday (June 29) after the racing card is completed.

On Tuesday (July 3) through Saturday (July 14), Historic Track will host the Harness Horse Youth Foundation followed on Saturday (July 28) with the Jimmy Sturr Concert. The annual car show is set for Sunday (Sept. 2) and the track’s golf outing fundraiser is scheduled for Monday (Sept. 10).