by Judy Bokmen (SRF) and Susan Arrington (RR-Trotting)

Hamilton, NJ — A reunion of those who share fond memories from the much loved Roosevelt Raceway days was a night to behold at the first Roosevelt Raceway Reunion.

Seeing Buddy Gilmour, Carmine Abbatiello, Lucien Fontaine, Frank and Billy Popfinger, Jimmy Marohn, Benny Webster and others embrace old friends and colleagues created its own future memory.

More than 175 guests attended the long overdue event. John Kopas, John Campbell, the Remmens, Bobby Vitrano, Randy Perry, Joe Barbera, and John Manzi all had great stores to tell.

Manzi spoke of his uncle who raced at the Long Island oval in the mid-1950s, and Joe Barbera referenced happenings with Butch Dokey racing the great Seatrain. Making a long journey from the west coast was Cece Levy, the daughter of Roosevelt Raceway founder George Morton Levy, who shared in the three decades of racing.

Donations from the racing community and fans were available and included programs from as far back as the 1940s. There were beautifully framed covers from Newsweek, Sports Illustrated and The New Yorker magazine all with the race track photo, autographed posters of some of Roosevelt’s great drivers, photos of the late John Chapman and Peter Haughton, and racing favorites like Kash Minbar, Forrest Skipper and others.

The night was the result of the efforts of Fred Hudson, Peter Buck, Susan Arrington, Randy Perry, and Donna Perry. There is a planed sequel in Florida on Febuary 21, 2010 for those who missed the trip and those who want to do it again.

Photos can be viewed at www.rrtrotting.com/rr_reunion_photos and the video will be available on August 15. Any proceeds from the events will benefit the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.

For information on the February date check the Web site at www.rrtrotting.com in the near future.