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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

A Day at the Races

We had a weekend day at the races* at the Great Pocomoke Fair in Pocomoke, MD, a 45-minute drive from home. We didn't lose $ bettin' on the ponies as this is the only fair in Maryland that features a single day of harness racing — with no betting. Harness racing is always on the last day of this annual event.




Although fair attendees don't bet here, there are cash purses for these exhibition and USTA (United States Trotting Association) sanctioned races. Race participants come from neighboring eastern states, including our home state of NJ. The prize monies are awarded with support from Ocean Downs (MD) Racetrack which provides financial support to the Great Pocomoke Fair to further promote harness racing in Maryland.




Horse racing was always a highlight of the Great Pocomoke Fair from its earliest days. Trotters came from many nearby states even then. Races were run several days in a row, with as many as a dozen horses in a race, unlike this single afternoon event. 



Watching these spirited horses and skilled riders made for a fun outing. Threatened thunderstorms held off so that all 12 races were completed.



* A Day at the Races was the 7th film starring slapstick comedians, Chico, Harpo, and Groucho Marx. Like their previous MGM feature A Night at the Opera, this 1937 film was a major hit for the trio. 

In the film, a veterinarian posing as a doctor, a race-horse owner, and friends struggle to help keep a sanitarium open with the help of a misfit race-horse. 

It was the only Marx Brothers film to receive a competitive Oscar nomination. 

It can be see (FREE) online at YouTube here. It's in B&W and running time is just over 1-1/2 hours.

10 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

I'm sure this was a treat, especially considering that I've never been to a horse race of any kind.

MadSnapper said...

the horses are beautiful and my favorite it the girl with the flag.. glad the rain held off

Out on the prairie said...

Will have to watch that movie, it was great. They have a lot of side bets going on around here, it can be a very serious sport.

William Kendall said...

Harness racing takes place here as well... it always strikes me as a bit of madness!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

One of the horses we had as kids was a former pacer...he was awesome!!!!...:)JP

Gail Dixon said...

What a fun day and event! When I saw USTA I thought 'what does the United States Tennis Association have to do with horses?" LOL (I used to play USTA). Grand set of pics, Beatrice!

Emma Springfield said...

Queen also had an album titled A Day At The Races which followed their album A Night At The Opera. Meant to be a tribute I believe. Those horses are beautiful. You can see the strength of the muscles in your pictures which are wonderful.

Connie said...

Great pictures of the horse races. Sounds like a fun day.

Anonymous said...

I just love those horses. Such beautiful creatures!

DeniseinVA said...

Wonderful action photos! Those horses are certainly put through their paces. Lovely animals!