Jackson Harness Raceway Trots out fun for 60th year

[two gun sid]

From mLive.com:
Just about every season, Dan Rakieten worries about how to keep Jackson Harness Raceway from losing money, and just about every season it still does.

So this season, the raceway's 60th, Rakieten is just trying to make the races more fun.

"We're trying to make Wacky Wednesdays a lot better," said Rakieten, the raceway's general manager. "And we still have Dollar Nights. ... I'm hoping we'll get a good crowd. Last year, we were real proud of what we did."

From 2006 to 2007, the raceway's average attendance rose from 1,116 to 1,319 and the average handle rose from $42,284 to $43,736. Also, the total purse surpassed $1 million in 2007, but Rakieten said the raceway still lost about $500,000.

http://blog.mlive.com/citpat/2008/05/track_trots_out_fun_for_60th_y.html

This is my home track and I don't have a starter dammit. Stanley's A/E, but we're going to Hazel Park with another 3YO pacer because of a better purse. I hate missing opening night but I'll be there Saturday for Dollar Night. Anybody want to join me?

Here's some pictures from last year.

[Justpat]

1. One of these days.....

Sounds like fun.


:)

[two gun sid]

3. And one of these days I'm gonna show up at Aqueduct...

in January. I hope the coffee's hot at the track kitchen. Now that sounds like fun.

[Justpat]

5. Aqueduct in January??

How about August at the Spa?

[two gun sid]

6. August is too busy here...

with fair racing and all the other work with the babies. My partner and his wife go up to a condo on Lake Michigan for 2 weeks.

And to be honest, I like the everyday, mundane aspects of racing. That's what interests me.

And January is such a hopeful time of year. Those new horses in the barn, you just don't know what they're gonna be yet, but a couple of 'em look like they wanna be race horses so you can still hope and dream. Sunday mornings in winter at my trainers barn, that's my church. I love those days.

So, yep, Aqueduct in January. With horses like Snake Mountain on the inner track and hot coffee to keep you warm.

Don't get me wrong, I've always wanted to see Saratoga. It looks beautiful and exciting. But I think I'd be right at home in January at Aqueduct.

[aaronbees]

2. Nice to see Shark Warning's pic again

Ya better have a blast!

[two gun sid]

4. Tomorrow night...

I have to work in the morning so I didn't go to Hazel. Plus my back hurts and we're in the 12th fuckin' race.

Hey, aaronbees, we got a new baby. New colt born the other day. He's active as hell and wants to fight.

I know I post those pics of Sharky all the time but, I really miss that horse. She was so honest.