Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

This Month in Harness Racing History

September 4, 1899 – The Empire City Trotting Club (now Yonkers Raceway) opens in New York and draws 12,000 fans.

September 4, 1977 – Rambling Willie sets the world record for geldings pacing on a 5/8-mile track by winning in 1:54.3 at Brandywine Raceway in Delaware.

September 5, 1895 – Azote becomes the fastest gelding trotter in history by finishing a time trial in 2:04-3/4 at Galesburg, Illinois.

September 6, 1871 – Goldsmith Maid trots a world record 2:17 at Milwaukee.

September 6, 1894 – Robert J beats Joe Patchen in 2:03-3/4, equaling the world record, and then by a world record 2:02-1/4 and 2:04-3/4 at Indianapolis.

September 6, 1890 – Nelson sets the world record for trotting on a half-mile track by going 2:15-1/4 in an exhibition at Bangor, Maine.

September 7, 1991 – Die Laughing wins the Messenger Stakes in 1:51.1 at Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland.

September 8, 1977 – Town Drunk sets the world record for 4-year-old pacing geldings by winning in 1:55.3 at Vernon, New York.

September 9, 2000 – Gallo Blue Chip sets the world record for 3-year-olds pacing on a 5/8-mile track by winning in 1:50 at Scioto Downs in Ohio.

September 10, 1980 – Smokin Yankee sets a world record for 2-year-olds trotting on a 5/8-mile track by winning in 2:00.1 at Freestate Raceway in Maryland.

September 11, 1999 – Dave Palone wins 10 races at the Meadows, equaling the record for the most wins on a single card.

September 12, 1894 – Alix equals Nancy Hanks’ trotting world record of 2:04 at Terre Haute, Indiana.

September 13, 1993 – Mr Lavec and Wesgate Crown win divisions of the Campbellville Trot at Mohawk Racetrack in Ontario.

September 14, 1894 – Robert J sets the pacing world record of 2:01-1/2 in a time trial at Terre Haute, Indiana.

September 15, 1893 – Flying Jib equals the pacing world record of 2:04 at Chicago.

September 15, 1996 – Jenna’s Beach Boy sets the world record for pacing on a half-mile track by winning the Senior Jug in 1:49.3 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Ohio.

September 16, 1942 – Joe O’Brien equals Clint Hodgins’ record for wins in a single day at one track by winning 11 races at Truro Raceway in Nova Scotia.

September 16, 1978 – Florida Pro equals the world record for 3-year-olds trotting on a 5/8-mile track by winning in 1:58.1 at Liberty Bell Park in Pennsylvania.

September 17, 1996 – She's A Great Lady sets the world record for female pacers by winning in 1:51 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware, Ohio.

September 18, 1880 – Maud S. trots a world record 2:10-3/4 at Chicago.

September 18, 1994 – Pine Chip sets the world record for trotting on a half-mile track by winning in 1:54 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

September 19, 1894 – Alix sets the trotting world record of 2:03-3/4 at Galesburg, Illinois.

September 19, 1999 – Jet Laag sets the world record for pacing on a half-mile track by winning the Senior Jug in 1:49 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

September 20, 1940 – Batavia Downs opens in upstate New York. September 20, 1984 – Fancy Crown sets the world record for female trotters on a half-mile track by winning in 1:57.1 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

September 21, 1978 – Falcon Almahurst sets the pacing world record on a half-mile track by winning his opening heat in the Little Brown Jug in 1:55.2 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

September 22, 1977 – Governor Skipper sets the world record for pacing on a half-mile track (1:56.1) en route to winning the Little Brown Jug in straight heats at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

September 22, 1981 – Incredible Nevele becomes the first 2-year-old to trot in 2:00 on a half-mile track, accomplishing the feat at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

September 23, 1988 – Matt’s Scooter sets the pacing world record by finishing a time trial in 1:48.2 at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky.

September 24, 1992 – Fake Left wins the Little Brown Jug in a race-off against Western Hanover, Crouch and Gamma Ray at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Ohio.

September 25, 1999 – Billy “Zeke” Parker Jr. gets win No. 7,000 by driving Eicarl’s W A G to victory at Yonkers Raceway in New York.

September 26, 1987 – Hi Tech Society sets the world record for geldings pacing on half-mile track, winning in 1:53.4 at Maywood Park in Illinois.

September 27, 1940 – Frances Dodge Johnson and Greyhound set the record for trotting under saddle, completing a mile in 2:01.3 in Lexington, Kentucky.

September 28, 1875 – The Red Mile opens in Lexington, Kentucky.

September 28, 1892 – Nancy Hanks lowers the trotting world record to 2:04 at Terre Haute, Indiana.

September 28, 1938 – Billy Direct breaks Dan Patch’s pacing world record (1:55.1 in 1905) by finishing a time trial in 1:55 at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky.

September 29, 1892 – Mascot wins a heat against Flying Jib and Guy in a pacing world record time of 2:04 at Terre Haute, Indiana.

September 29, 1938 – Greyhound, driven by Sep Palin, sets the trotting world record by going 1:55-1/4 in a time trial at the Red Mile.

September 30, 1979 – Tender Loving Care sets the world record for female pacers by finishing a time trial in 1:52.4 in a time trial at the Red Mile.