by John Manzi, for Goshen Historic Track

Goshen, NY — Goshen Historic Track, where it all started and where it still is today, is gearing up for its 178th season of exciting harness racing and 2015 will mark the 105th year of Grand Circuit racing at “the Cradle of the Trotter.” This year will also be the 54th consecutive season of matinee racing over the famed double oval at Historic Track.

Matinee racing commences Sunday (June 7) with the first of three programs and matinee racing will continue on the consecutive Sundays of June 14 and June 21. Post times for all three matinee race cards will be at 1 p.m.

Grand Circuit racing begins on Thursday (July 2) and will feature New York Sire Stakes County Fair races, followed on Friday (July 3) with the New York State Excelsior Series for pacers.

Then on Saturday (July 4) the Landmark Stakes for 2- and 3-year-olds, the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Trots and the Catskill Amateur Drivers Club paces will be presented.

Featured Sunday (July 5) are sophomore trotters in the New York State Excelsior Series along with a race under saddle for horses and riders that have qualified during any one of the three June matinee programs.

Also slated on the card that afternoon is 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. And after the race the Hall of Famers will be available for photos and autographs. Then that evening the annual Hall of Fame banquet will again be held under the tent on the lawn of the Harness Racing Museum.

Post times for Grand Circuit action will also be at 1 p.m.

Once again, Historic Track will sponsor a golf outing, this year on Monday (June 29) at the Golf Club at Mansion Ridge on 1292 Orange Turnpike in nearby Monroe, N.Y. For further information on the golf outing, or to sign-up, please call the Historic Track office at 845.294.5333.