Published:
December 4, 2008 04:21 pm EST
The Detroit News has reported that MTR Gaming Group Inc. has shut down the Jackson Harness Raceway in Jackson, Michigan and that the facility will not be open in 2009 for live racing or simulcasting.
To read the brief report, click here.
I doubt that many are
I doubt that many are familiar with this Brett Boyd that this woman refers to, but I met him a couple years ago at Raceway Park. He is an owner, trainer, and was the track announcer at Jackson. Every year, Raceway Park has a really great event, Buckeye/Wolverine Night, where the feature race is an Invitational, with half the horses each coming from Ohio and Michigan .
Then they have maybe a few more than half the other races on the nights card featured as a competition between Ohio and Michigan drivers, where points are kept for each "team". Its a really big deal before the OSU/Michgan game. They try to go all out making it a great night with lots of giveaways and raffles and stuff after every race. They even give away a car every year. But anyways, the nights card is always full of decent horses, so I pay attention. 2 years ago, I was sitting in the grandstand, and after every race, this guy was down on the apron interviewing the winning driver after every race, and he had a wireless mic plugged into the tracks PA system. He was asking the drivers all different questions about what had taken place during their winning drive.
Questions such as race strategy, pulling ear plugs, why did he pull when he did etc.,. After about 3 races of watching and listening to this, I had to pull myself up off the floor, because I had fallen out of my seat as I could hardly believe that someone was actually trying to educate the public. And this guy was really good. I thought he was anyways. So I went outside to ask him where they had been hiding him. Thats how I found out he was just helping out for the night and he told me about his harness background. Really nice guy.Lots of energy and enthusiasm for the sport. I hope he finds work somewhere else. Harness racing needs more guys like him around.
sad news--the closing of the
sad news--the closing of the most "fan friendly" track in Michigan--a track that actually drew families to it's grandstand with dollar nights, "Happy Horse" in costume; announcer Brett Boyd did an excellent job involving the fans by walking thru the grandstand. Jackson had been in business for over 50 years....one can only wonder, what track is next?