Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

This Month in Harness Racing History: May

May 2005

May 1, 1988 – Mack Lobell wins an Invitational trot in 1:57 at The Meadows in Pennsylvania.

May 9, 2001 – Pacing champion Cam Fella dies at the Kentucky Horse Park.

May 10, 1998 – Ultimate Falcon, driven by Ross Croghan, sets the world record for pacing horses on a larger than one-mile track, winning in 1:47.4 at Colonial Downs in Virginia.

May 11, 1996 – Ball And Chain, driven by Mike Lachance, wins the Graduate in 1:52.2 at The Meadowlands in New Jersey and becomes the only back-to-back winner in the race’s history.

May 12, 1990 – Beach Towel wins the Miller Memorial in 1:52.3 at Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland.

May 13, 1980 – Fulla Promise, Quite Guy, and Ron finish in a dead heat for win at Pocono Downs in Pennsylvania.

May 13, 1989 – Jaguar Spur wins the George Morton Levy final in 1:55.2 at Yonkers Raceway in New York.

May 14, 1988 – Wealthy Skipper wins the Windy City Pace in 1:55 at Maywood Park in Illinois.

May 15, 1976 – In Control, driven by Roger Hammer, sets the record for four-year-olds on a five-eighths of a mile track by trotting 1:57.4 at Brandywine Raceway in Delaware.

May 16, 1992 – Shady Daisy, driven by Jeff Fout, equals the world record for four-year-old mares pacing on a five-eighths of a mile track by winning in 1:52.2 at Scioto Downs in Ohio.

May 17, 1961 – Western Fair Raceway opens in London, Ontario.

May 18, 1957 – Adios Queen, Clever Counsel, and Crescendo finish in a triple dead heat for win at Buffalo Raceway in New York.

May 19, 1995 – She's A Great Lady, driven by Jack Parker Jr., wins the Scarlett O'Hara in 1:54 at Scioto Downs.

May 19, 1877 – Goldsmith Maid celebrates her 20th birthday by trotting 2:14½, just half a second off her world record set three years earlier.

May 20, 1950 – Yonkers Raceway in New York achieves $1 million in handle, a first in harness racing.

May 21, 1989 – Topnotcher wins the Mohawk final in 1:53.3 at Mohawk Racetrack in Ontario.

May 22, 1977 – Town Drunk, driven by Vernon Crank, sets the record for four-year-old geldings on a five-eighths of a mile track by pacing 1:56.1 at Brandywine Raceway in Delaware.

May 23, 1936 – Hall of Famer Carmine Abbatiello is born in Staten Island, New York. He wins 7,170 races as a driver and his horses earn $50.3 million in purses.

May 24, 1987–Driver Herve Filion reaches win No. 10,000 during the Westchester County Fair at Yonkers Raceway in New York.

May 25, 1998–Galleria, driven by George Brennan, wins the Miss New Jersey in a stakes record 1:50.1 at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

May 26, 1984–Hobo Willy, driven by John Campbell, sets the world record for geldings pacing on a mile track by winning in 1:53 at the Meadowlands.

May 27, 1990–Mack Lobell wins his second Elitlopp at Solvalla, Sweden.

May 28, 1989–Au Crombie wins the Battle of Brandywine in 1:55.4 at Brandywine.

May 29, 1979–Roses Are Red wins the first Mistletoe Shalee in 2:01.3 at the Meadowlands.

May 29, 1993–Cambest, driven by Wally Hennessey, wins the Nicole Hudock Memorial in 1:52.1 at Hazel Park in Michigan.

May 30, 1984–Janet Irvine sets the world record for lady drivers competing on a five-eighths of a mile track as V Anna Trick trots 2:01.1 at Scioto Downs in Ohio.

May 30, 2001–Brett Miller wins seven consecutive races at Northfield Park in Ohio.

May 31, 1997 – Stand Forever, driven by Jack Moiseyev, sets the track record for pacers by winning in 1:50 at Pocono Downs in Pennsylvania.

May 31, 1998 – Moni Maker sets the world record for fillies and mares trotting on a five-eighths of a mile track, winning the Elitlopp in 1:53.3 at Solvalla, Sweden.