Goshen Historic Track in New York will welcome a pair of celebrity guest outriders for its Friday, July 4 card of racing.
Leading the horses to post for the 1 p.m. card will be the 23-year-old former Standardbred racehorses Dreamy Starlet, ridden by her owner, Elizabeth Tewksbury, and McKeever Hanover, ridden by his owner Shelly Topham.
The two retirees are among the 43 horses featured in the new book ‘Standardbred Old Friends,’ a collection of photos and stories about horses of distinction, now in the twilight of their lives. The book is the third in the ‘Old Friends’ series of books by renowned equine photographer Barbara Livingston.
The two pacers, who live in Maine, have nearly 300 starts and four foals between them, but it is off the track that they have found their next and best careers. Both horses, who started under saddle in their teens, excel in the show ring, competing in English and Western style competitions, team penning, fox hunting and jumping. They have won hundreds of ribbons and trophies, while also finding time to outride at Maine’s pari-mutuel and fair tracks. Additionally, McKeever Hanover has volunteered at Make A Wish Foundation events, where his primary responsibility has been to stand nicely and let adults and children pet him.
After Race 5 on Friday, the horses will come off the track to greet fans behind the grandstand. Copies of the book in which the pair is featured on Maine’s Popham Beach at sunset in October 2013 will also be for sale that day with a portion of proceeds to benefit Goshen Historic Track. Livingston and Ellen Harvey, who wrote the stories to accompany the photos, will be hand to sign books.
Goshen Historic Track is located at 44 Park Place in Goshen, New York. Admission is $5 for adults and includes a program. Children are free.
For more information, check out goshenhistorictrack.com or call 845-294-5333.
(Harness Racing Communications)