When The Meadows Racetrack & Casino observed its 50th anniversary on Friday (June 28) current and former horsemen and horsewomen, track executives, elected officials and fans representing all five decades of track history joined the celebration.
The celebrants got together to swap memories and look ahead to the next 50 years.
Curby Stillings, a 50-year Meadows veteran who also serves as assistant race secretary at the Red Mile, shared her memories with Roger Huston in the winner's circle.
Tom Charters, president and CEO of the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown and a former Meadows race secretary, and Mickey Burke, retired now but North America’s leading trainer from 2006 to 2008, hobnobbed with Kim Hankins, executive director of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association.
The pioneers gathered in the stretch for a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
And looking down on it all, in a way, was the track’s founder, the late Delvin Miller, who towered over the celebration in rare archival footage and stills displayed on the new infield matrix board. It was a compelling reminder of the man whose vision and determination were most responsible for The Meadows’ development and success.
(The Meadows)