by John Manzi, for Goshen Historic Track

Monticello, NY — The 171st season of harness racing in the Cradle of the Trotter begins on Saturday, June 7, at Goshen Historic Track. The racing card will be the first of three Saturday matinees which will be followed in early July by the 98th year of Grand Circuit racing.

On June 7, eight races are scheduled featuring mostly 2- and 3-year-olds, many of whom will not only be making their first competitive starts but for some it will be the first time they see a mobile starting gate.

Along with the racing program, the management of Historic Track has a wonderful afternoon packaged for Saturday. It will be Youth Day, which is sponsored by Historic Track and Orange-Ulster BOCES. Youth Day will focus on the younger generation with booths and events that will be interesting and knowledgeable for all.

Hal and Steve Jones of Cameo Farms, located in Montgomery, N.Y., will bring a mare and her foal to the track that day and patrons will have a chance to observe them and fill out entry forms to name the foal. Judging of the names entered will be announced following the last race and the winner will have his/her picture taken with the foal and have that photo posted on Historic Track’s Web site and in the track’s newsletter. The winner and family will also get a personal tour of Cameo Farms.

Among the other activities will be a lesson in hair braiding and a tour of the stables with a stop at the blacksmith shop which is always a youth favorite.

Matinee racing will continue on the Saturdays of June 14 and June 21, followed by five days of Grand Circuit racing on July 2-July 6. Admission to the not-for-profit Goshen Historic Track is $5. Children under 16 years of age are admitted free.