from Harness Racing Communications, a division of the USTA

Goshen, NY — Winning never gets old, even after 60 years. It was 60 years ago, in 1947, when trainer Harry Harvey first went to Goshen to race a horse. The filly, Voluptuous, was in the stable of Tom Berry and Harvey was a groom with his first racetrack assignment. On Saturday (June 30) at Goshen Historic Track, Harvey had the fastest winner of the day when Lislea Phia won her $15,000 New York Fair Stake by about a half length over The Isle Of Pan in 1:55.2.

“She likes her work,” noted Harvey, who trains the daughter of Lislea-Cat Thief for her breeder/owner Tim Rooney. Jack Baggitt drove the filly, who stalked The Isle Of Pan (Stephane Bouchard) throughout fractions of :28.1, :58.2, and 1:26.3. When The Isle Of Pan straightened out for home, Lislea Phia drew alongside her and paced away to win in 1:55.2, a fifth of a second off the track record for 3-year-old pacing fillies of 1:55.1.

“I’m glad she was able to get a trip and didn’t have to barrel out of there,” said Harvey. “That worked out well. I couldn’t have asked for much more. She goes about her work in a businesslike way and today it all worked out. She doesn’t have anything now until mid-July, when the Sires Stakes goes to Saratoga.”

The card featured largely colt and filly divisions of the New York Fair Stake, each going for a purse of $15,000.

Brian Magie, who grew up in Goshen, but now lives in New Jersey, got a nice homecoming at Goshen on Saturday with his trainee, Panedict Arnold (Noble Ability-One If By Pan), winning his $15,000 division of the New York State Fair Stake in 1:56.1, leading throughout the mile with driver Greg Grismore.

“He’s very good right now, very maneuverable,” said Magie. “The half-mile track is perfect for him. He can secure a lead and get a soft quarter if he has to. He really is proud of himself, like a peacock.”

Panedict Arnold was bred and is owned by The Peter Pan Stable.

Todd Banks was in the winner’s circle to greet Val America, when he won his State Fair Division in 1:56.3 over Rollonriverenap and Brave Call. Owner Todd Banks was attracted to the pedigree on Val America (Ameripan Gigolo-Valabesta).

“I used to race horses against Valabesta, that’s why I went after this one, I bought him over the winter. I was looking for a good performance this week. Last week he locked wheels with the horse that was coming up the rail or he would have been second at Vernon Downs. But he’s good on the half.”

Twin B Maddi was new to the New York Sires Stakes winner’s circle with a victory in 1:58 over LaDiavla and Magical Joy. The daughter of Bettor’s Delight is also new to trainer Tracey Brainerd’s stable.

“She just came down from Canada two weeks ago,” said Brainerd. “We gave her a prep race at Vernon last week to get her ready for this.”

Twin B Maddi is owned by McEneny, McNiven, Moza and Wagner of Ontario. She probably will not venture into pari-mutuel sires stakes competition.

“She’s down here for the late closers, we think she’s comfortable where she is,” said Brainerd. “We were hoping she’d be tight for today, but she raced better than we expected.”

In the $2,000 Dr. John Farrell Memorial Ladies Race, Betsy Philips was the victor in 2:01 with her own JK Hooty, who she trains and co-owns with Carl Gillespie. Dr. Farrell’s son John was in the winner’s circle to present a large silver loving cup.

“This is our 20th (edition of the memorial race). Dad used to come up here for the Hambletonian. I’ve been on the board here and Dad was always interested in the racing here. Dad saw that Mr. Harriman (E. Roland) would have a “Powder Puff Derby” and they hadn’t had it for a few years, so I thought we’d throw in a few dollars and put it on.”

Racing resumes July 1 through 4, with post time at 1:00 p.m. each day. Sunday’s card will feature New York bred 3-year-old trotters and the $10,000 Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot for Hall of Fame drivers. The drivers set to compete are John Campbell, Ron Pierce, Clint Galbraith, Jim Doherty, John Simpson, Jr., Mike Lachance, Dave Magee and newest Hall of Famer Wally Hennessey. The drivers will be available to sign photos for fans after the race.

Admission at Historic Track is $3 for adults, children 12 and under are free. The adjacent Harness Racing Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and admission is always free.