Unharnessed Again!

Unharnessed Again

By Joe Hartmann   November 17, 2008

  One of the special people who was there from the very inception of Plainridge Racecourse was the late Hank Caruso. A member of the track's security department, he was not only a harness racing employee, he was a true fan of standardbred racing which was exemplified by his annual visits to the Little Brown Jug each October.

   So it is especially gratifying for those of us who remember Hank Caruso, a former owner, to witness the success of his son Barry as an owner.   He is also starting a promising career as an amateur driver.

   We caught up with Caruso last week as he was in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for the annual Standardbred Horse Sales Company event.

   "We have been doing a little shopping here," Caruso said. "We  bought a yearling and now we are looking for another racehorse."  Caruso actually not only found one other racehorse but two by the end of the sale.

   Caruso currently owns more than just a few racehorses, and has enjoyed a great relationship with trainer Jim Hardy. "It has been a great relationship," Caruso said. "Jim is an outstanding trainer and we have become close personal friends."

   While the Caruso Stable has won more than two dozen races this year at Plainridge, Barry has even more pride about his success as a driver. He has four career drives with a win, two seconds and a third.

   "When I won my first race at the Fryeberg Fair in early October, it was one of the most exciting moments of my life, I'll never forget that moment."

  Not having the credentials to drive at Plainridge yet, Caruso looks forward to next season as he gets closer to being able to drive some of his own horses here.  Although he is a long way from driving in the Little Brown Jug, Caruso will surely cherish and be proud of his first win here and his father Hank would also be equally proud.

Cranking Up The Time Machine…

November 9, 1984 – Fancy Crown, driven by Bill O'Donnell, sets the world record for mares trotting on a five-eighths track by winning in 1:57.4 at Pompano Park.

November 11, 2001 – Kadabra, driven by Homer Hochstetler, equals the world record for two-year-old colts on a five-eighths by winning in 1:56.2 at Dover Downs.

November 12, 1994 – Village Jiffy, driven by Paul MacDonell, wins the W.R. Haughton Memorial in 1:54.2 at Yonkers Raceway in New York.

November 15, 1987 – Gentle Stroke, driven by Mickey McNichol, sets the world record for trotting geldings five and older on a five-eighths of a mile track by winning in 1:56.3 at Pompano Park in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Plainridge Racecourse 301 Washington Street, Plainville, MA 02762 508-643-2500