by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Ken Weingartner

Freehold, NJ — Larry Lederman is from Manhattan, but until last Friday had been to Grand Central Terminal only once in his life.

Trip No. 2 was memorable, and not only for Lederman. The longtime race-caller, who has curtailed his workload in recent years as he battles an inoperable brain tumor, was in Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall calling “races” for a dozen hours on June 7 as part of the festivities leading up to the Belmont Stakes.

Lederman, best known for his work at Freehold Raceway, called races between competitors who propelled mechanical ponies around in the train station. He called more than 100 races for the day.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photo

Larry Lederman called the races this past Monday at Gaitway Farm.

“We had a few glitches along the way, but we kept it going and had a good time,” Lederman said. “We had an international flavor, like Japan versus Norway versus Brooklyn. The person from Norway won; I said they won by a herring. The people were really good about it. It was a lot of fun.”

Bugler Ryan Resky and Lederman did their best to entertain travelers passing through the station, as well as attract attention for the Belmont Stakes and activities in Grand Central Terminal.

“I told Ryan that if we didn’t make noise no one would know we were there,” Lederman said, adding with a laugh, “And who better to make noise than a bugler and me.”

Lederman also was proud to have touted Belmont Stakes longshot winner Palace Malice. Trained by Todd Pletcher, and racing without blinkers after a 12th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, Palace Malice won at odds of 13-1.

“I told people that if the trainer in a million-dollar race can change the (horse’s) blinkers, then a bettor could afford to bet a few dollars,” Lederman said. “I’m finally right after about 40 years.”

On Monday, Lederman was at Gaitway Farm in central New Jersey, not far from his current home, calling qualifiers. He plans to return each of the next two Mondays when the training center hosts the races, primarily for 2-year-old horses getting ready for their career debuts.

In July, Lederman is set to call races at Tioga Downs in upstate New York. He would like to do more, but is limited by his illness.

“I get tired here and there, but we’re doing the best we can,” Lederman said. “I’m just following the medication. Some days get frustrating, some get even more frustrating. It’s all about fate. There’s nothing I can do about it anymore. I just go for MRIs every two months and so far it’s been no change. I wish things weren’t like this, but we have very little control.”

Lederman peppered his race calls at Gaitway with a blend of humor and wit that has made him one of racing’s most popular announcers. After handling the morning’s 15 races, he said he was grateful to all the people in the sport — and the fans — for their support and well wishes.

“I’d like to be more active, but I can’t take long drives or plane rides,” Lederman said. “Do I miss it? Absolutely. Do I love it? Absolutely. But you can only do what you can do. I’m just happy to be here.”