by John Manzi, for Historic Track

Goshen, NY — Goshen Historic Track, where it all started and where it still is today, is prepping for its 181st season of exciting harness racing and 2018 will be the 108th year of Grand Circuit racing at “the Cradle of the Trotter.”

Racing action will commence with three matinee racing programs on consecutive Sundays beginning with June 3 and continuing on June 10 and June 17. Post times for the matinee race cards will be at 1 p.m.

This year will mark the 57th consecutive season of matinee racing over the historic double-oval.

Grand Circuit racing begins on Friday (June 29) and will feature the Landmark Series and the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Series. Then on Saturday (June 30), 3-year-old pacers will be featured in New York Sires Stakes action.

Sunday (July 1) will be the annual Hall of Fame Trot with various members of harness racing’s Hall of Fame at the controls, which has always been a fan favorite. Then after that race is completed the Hall of Famers will be available for photos and autographs. Also slated on the July 1 card is the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters and the race under saddle.

The 2018 racing season ends on Monday (July 2) with the New York Sire Stakes for horses competing in the County Fair division.

All post times for racing will be at 1 p.m.

Also part of the Historic Track offerings this season will be a Poker Run on Saturday (May 26) and Goshen High School Graduation on Friday (June 22). There will be a concert at the facility on Friday (June 29) after the racing card is completed.

On Tuesday (July 3) Historic Track will host the Harness Horse Youth Foundation followed on Saturday (July 28) with the Jimmy Sturr concert. The annual Car Show is set for Sunday (Sept. 2) and the track’s golf outing fundraiser is scheduled for Monday (Sept. 10).