Columbus, OH — Frederick Steven Goldstein, 79, died Jan. 8, 2022.

Born and bred a true New Yorker, and probably with a program in his back pocket, Mr. Goldstein loved harness racing, followed only by bowling. Raised in Queens with Belmont Park in his backyard and a three-generation household that found their way to Roosevelt and Yonkers raceways in the height of their popularity, he was born when the horse was king. To further enjoy their love of the sport, his family invested in a few claimers and began to enjoy racing at another level.

When he could “escape” school, it was off to Freehold with his grandfather. It was a full lifetime surrounded by the best racing available. He could study the bloodlines that fascinated him and be exposed to the best trainers and drivers the sport had to offer. He attempted life “behind” the horse on the backstretch at Roosevelt, but ended in the manure pile, which was the end of testing that skill level.

As an adult, he still wanted to be able to include his passions in his day-to­ day life. Using his degree in accounting, he and his first wife formed the successful Rainbow Stake Service in Westbury, N.Y.

Only one more area of the sport he wanted to partake in was breeding his own stable. As it happened, one day a gentleman came into his office wanting to know how much his mare was worth. On the spot, Mr. Goldstein rescued the mare for $1,000 and was in the breeding business. His entire stable over the years traced back to this foundation mare and his kindness. One of her early foals named Rockin Ro placed second in the Three Diamonds.

Health and lifestyle changes started a new life in Pompano Beach, Fla., where he enjoyed himself as a fan and an owner. Opening his door in the morning and seeing the jog track was his way of retiring, which he did for the next few years, always available for advice, tall tales, and bowling. His stable adopted “Keep On…” into their names, and he kept on.

Real retirement was a move to Arizona, but out that front door he could still see a racetrack. He was a man fortunate to have many friends and was able to support his lifestyle doing what he loved. A fortunate man indeed.

To those friends who will miss him and are able, a memorial contribution to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF, P.O. Box 312, Millstone Twp., NJ 08535) would be greatly appreciated.