Hambo 2010

They call it the greatest day in harness racing for good reason. My first trip to the Hambo was divine, although bittersweet. Amidst a sea of green Hambo caps on the heads of gleeful race fans, Hambo flags flying high in the summer breeze, and emphatic hands waving to and fro at the finish line, were somber symbols of the bigger — and heavier — picture.

Among the photos you’ll see in our gallery, is one of my favourite images from this trip, snapped by my friend Darryl (host of the Paddock Report at Grand River Raceway). A caretaker in the front paddock, wearing one of the SBOANJ t-shirts with the simple message: SAVE THE MEADOWLANDS.

The gentleman in the photo, visible only from the lips-down is no young pup. With only this tiny glimpse of face, we can see he has weathered many a storm … likely paddocked many winners and losers alike, and has perhaps dedicated his life to an industry that demands investment (of several varieties) and offers little promise of anything in return. He, like most, plays the game because his heart tells him so.

That’s the poetry in the photo, and whether he is, or isn’t that person, the image still tells the tale of an old world that’s up against walls that are quickly closing in.

Do you read those deep lines about the mouth as indicators of age and resignation? I see them as signs of accumulated wisdom … the sort of wisdom that has the ability to rally, defy and effect change with careful steps and thoughtful action. Even with his back up against the wall.

On a lighter note …. Honestly, this is not a good indicator of the mood at the 2010 Hambo. It was, by my account at least, as light and celebratory as you might expect. The weather was perfect, the crowd enormous (28,000 or so) and the races were incredible.

We were stationed at the front paddock for most of the day, and one of the unexpected highlights was to see the NBC production in full swing behind the scenes. The main man on the ground — a wiry middle-aged fellow we nicknamed the Production Nazi — was choreographing cameras and mics and people and horses like it was nobody’s business, all in an effort to meet the tight one-hour broadcast slate. He was quite a spectacle!

I was reminded of what a tiny industry we occupy, as I bumped into dozens of Canadians — including two of my own employees. The people who run the show at The Big M and the Hambletonian were all fabulous. My many thanks to the lovely Moira Fanning of the Hambletonian Society, Ken Weingartner of the USTA and SMMA, and Alex Dadoyan of the Big M. And, of course to Rozie of the Big M who was kind enough to unpack the Hambo trophy for us to film the night before the big event!

Congrats to all of the connections of the winners that day, and many thanks to all who made our first Hambo so very memorable, including this unnamed man in the t-shirt.