01MysT.jpg
FosterBookmyerMerriman
Gerry Bookmyer (center) receives congratulations from previous titte-holders Bud Foster left and Tom Merriman after he captured the driving championship with his 31st victory. Bookmyer received a $200 cash award and a silver tray from the Molson Brewing sponsors.
Dec 21, 1966 Harness Horse
02MysT.jpg
GerrKazmaierStanDancer
Star of "Fire Away," Gerry Kazmaier, takes time out from movie making to show harness driving star, Stanley Dancer one of his horses.
Oct 1961 Hoof Beats.
Gerry Kazmaier was also named the youngest Racing Secretary in harness racing history until that time. (see Nov 17, 1965 Harness Horse).
03MysT.jpg
IsleOfWight
Regaining his winning ways, Isle of Wight (Vern Crank) captured the 3-year-old Invitational Pace Saturday night with a 2:01 mile. Vern Crank made it look easy as the Tar Heel colt picked up his seventh win of the campaign in the $10,000 test. Buddy Gilmour hustled Tarport Birdie into second.
Oct 8, 1969 Harness Horse
04MysT.jpg
SpeedyScot
In one of his rare moments, the great Speedy Scot sticks his head over his grill door to gaze at the Roosevelt Raceway photographer. It took a lot of coaxing before Speedy finally agreed to pose for his picture.
Sept 1964 Hoof Beats
http://www.***/hof/0s0.html#SPEEDYSCOT
05MysT.jpg
WilsonMerrimaMorganFlora
Tom Merriman's victory with Lardick at Wolverine on April 28 lifted the Wayne, Mich., trainer-driver to the 1,000-victory milestone and there were congratulations waiting in the winner's circle from Dick Wilson, Tom Morgan and Earl Flora of the track front office. The 36-year-old Merriman also received a handsome sport coat from the track for his efforts.
June 1976 Mi-HHA magazine
Dick Wilson was the brother of Frances Dodge-Van Lennep.
Matilda Dodge (mother of Frances) (
http://www4.oakland.edu/view_popup.aspx?id=3300&sid=87 ) had three children with John F. Dodge (died of pneumonia). A daughter died young, a son died on his honeymoon while playing with explosives (under mysterious circumstances). When Maltilda remarried, she and husband (Alfred Wilson) adopted two children (Frances was already grown by then). Some excellent reading and very nice photo's
http://www4.oakland.edu/?id=3090&sid=87When the VanLennep's purchased Detroit Race Course and a few other tracks, Dick Wilson was brought on in many capacities that eventually led to general manager. He always wore colorful clothes.
Frances and Fred's contributions to harness racing are simply beyond words. They both were as dedicated to supporting the industry as "the Harriman's".
Their daughter Freddie carries on that tradition today at Cane Run Farm:
http://web.archive.org/web/20041017170221/http://www.ustrotting.com/hoofbeats/canerun-a.htmEarl Flora was the publicity director at Wolverine Raceway and other tracks. He also wrote a monthly column in Hoof Beats (as well as other publications) for more than ten years. After leaving DRC-Wolverine and Hoof Beats, he took a job with the city of Columbus, Ohio.
http://www.***/publct/Florascope/index.html
Earl's Hoof Beats column feature much light-heartedness, however some very nice items as well:
http://www.***/publct/prddxe.html
http://www.***/publct/Florascope/sulk1266.html
http://www.***/publct/Florascope/flora1171.html
http://www.***/publct/Florascope/ffauri.html
