by Kelly Young, Harness Horse Breeders of NYS

GOSHEN, N.Y.–Patience has served Hall of Fame driver Jim Doherty well over the years, most notably with the frustrating but talented trotter Fool’s Goal. The driver tapped into this trait once again to win the annual Hall of Fame Invitational Trot at Historic Track on Sunday, July 4.

USTA Photo

Hall of Fame drivers greet fans after the Hall of Fame Trot at Historic Track in Goshen, New York on July 4. The race was won by Jim Doherty.

Doherty, driving Priceless Gem, sat back and pounced on his peers in the stretch for the 1:59.3 victory. Inducted into the Hall of Fame last July, edged out driver John Simpson Jr., who led most of the race. Simpson was to be enshrined in the Hall later that evening.

“I’ve raced against these guys for years,” said Doherty. “Today was fun, I was lucky enough to win and it’s a bit of a pride thing. Things went good for me today.”

The race also featured Hall of Famers Howard Beissinger, Ray Remmen, Clint Galbraith, and Cat Manzi. All the Hall of Fame drivers met the public and signed autographs after the race.

Historic Track’s afternoon card also featured fifteen $15,000 New York Sire Stakes divisions. Driver Jeff Gregory, who leads the Sire Stakes driver standings, added another four victories to his tally.

One of Gregory’s wins was behind Michael Scores, the 3-year-old pacing gelding who is shaping up as the one to beat in this division. The homebred for James and Sandra Compton won on the lead easily in a soft 2:00.1. The son of Held For Ransom has now earned more than $32,000 this season.

“He got away with a pretty easy win,” said trainer and owner James Compton. “It didn’t look like it took too much out of him.”

John Boll, a breeder and owner, travels with his son, John, to the annual meet in Goshen each year, but never has any luck, he says. That luck changed when his 3-year-old pacing filly Miss Zinfandel won her division in 2:00.1.

Trainer John Stark Jr. had recently changed her shoes from steel to aluminum in an effort to give her better traction while racing, but Boll was still concerned before the race that the filly would not be able to grip the track surface properly.

“John told me she was perfect today,” said Boll in the winner’s circle. “She raced a good race and looked great out there. We’ve never gotten a trip behind anyone before, she’s always won off the lead, so now we have to see if we can teach her to win from behind.”

Racing concludes at Historic Track on Monday, July 5, when 13 New York County Fair races will be on the card. Post time is 1:00 p.m. Admission for adults is $3.00 and children 12 and under are free. For more information contact Historic Track at 845-294-5333.