by Fred Hudson

On Sunday (July 31) there will be a historic marker and dedication at the former site of the Copperthite Racetrack (also known as the Burke Station Racetrack) in Burke, Va. The former racetrack, which was built in 1908, is now the site of the Burke Nursery and Garden Centre.

Photo courtesy of Freddie Hudson

There will be a historic marker and dedication at the former site of the Copperthite Racetrack.

The track was built by Henry Copperstite who at that time owned the largest pie company in the country and for that fact was known as the “King of Pie.” The track conducted its first harness race on July 4, 1908 and was considered one of the finest half-mile tracks of its day. One of the judges that day was William Miller who would later be the founder of Rosecroft Raceway. It had a grandstand that seated 2,000 spectators with 75 stalls, each 12 x 12, that housed horses owned by President William McKinley Jr. and Vice President Theodore Roosevelt.

At the dedication there will be a harness race demonstration by Betsy Brown and a question and answers segment conducted by Freddie Hudson along with fundraising efforts for the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.

The local Washington, D.C. press will be covering the dedication and attending the event will be politicians, Copperthite family members, Fairfax County History Commission and the Burke Historical Society.

Festivities start at 9:30 and include Model T Ford auto show; music by King Street Bluegrass; exhibition harness race with Betsy Brown; period dress and reenactments; harness racing Q & A with Freddie Hudson; blacksmith display; kid activities including USTA coloring books; SRF fund raising; pies from the Copperthite Pie Company; and much more.

For more information please contact fh@rrtrotting.com.