Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen's Association
  • Home
  • Welcome!
  • About the PHHA
  • Join the PHHA
  • PHHA PAC
  • Philanthrophy
  • PA Harness Week
  • PHHA Blog
Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen's Association

BEHIND THE SCENES: HARNESS RACING STARTING CAR

7/18/2018

0 Comments

 
You already know that horses line up at the starting car (or truck's) gate before every race. The gate opens, they pass the starting pole, the bell goes off and the excitement begins. But have you ever wondered who's driving the car? And who's that other due (or gal) up in the camper-looking thingie that looks a lot like it's from the Popemobile? Read on to find out.
In today's video, we introduce you to two harness racing veterans who love their jobs. Norton Shoemaker is a former harness racing driver who switched to working in the starting car at Harrah's Philadelphia. His longtime partner is Andy Kean, another veteran of the racing game, who now does the driving while Shoemaker (known by his nickname "Shoe") keeps an eye on what's happening before, during and after the race in his role as a "patrol judge." 
Harrah's Philadelphia starting car
Andy Kean (left) behind the wheel of the Harrah's Philadelphia starting car. Right, Norton "Shoe" Shoemaker, his partner, who's job is to keep an eye on the race as it happens.
​That's "Shoe" up there in the Popemobile thing, keeping watch to make sure the race is run correctly and without any interferences or rule breaking. If he sees something, he reports it to the judges up in the tower above the grandstand. They then review video of the race and determine whether in fact a rule was broken or a horse was interfered with. 

As you'll see in the video, Andy and "Shoe" are still very much in love with the harness racing game decades after they first got their start, and the opportunity to catch every race from a unique, closeup vantage point never gets old.

Did you know...if you ask around, you might be able to ride with them? Next time you're at Harrah's Philadelphia, ask a member of the racing team and see if rides are available that day. You might just get to see racing from a perspective few ever get the chance to do.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017

    RSS Feed

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture