Question For Our Ohio Friends

[MichiganDale]

Okay, maybe somebody outside of Ohio can answer this but I really think it'll be an Ohioan that can help with the answer......a discussion recently ensued about PAINESVILLE, the Fair Track east of Cleveland.   A very nice Fair Track I might add.  Well kept and wide.....so, I seem to recall it being said that Painesville was once a parimutual racetrack.  Is that true and if so when was that?   

[AmyHollar]

Way before my time.......you'd have to ask someone as old as Gary for the date, but yes it was a pari-mutual...............in fact half of Northfield's year is considered the Painesville meet.

[LVGaryD]

I'm so old I forget the dates, but yes it was a pari-mutuel track at one time.

[MichiganDale]

Thanks Amy...Thanks Gary....must have been a very long time ago....

[Wilderness]

from May 20, 1964 Harness Horse:

Painesville Raceway
NORTHFIELD, OHIO
Half‑Mile Track

MR. COALTOWN, MR. C. SONG RECORD IDENTICAL 2:041/5 WINS IN THIS WEEK'S TROT AND PACE FEATURES
Mr. Coaltown, a 7‑year‑old trotting son of Darnley and Sis Rodney that has done little to earn his keep for the Shady Lane Farm of Columbus, O., awoke with a vengeance Saturday night to win the $3,000 co‑feature, the Western Reserve.
Driven by Clyde Miller, Mr. Coaltown followed a recent 2:062/5 qualifying spin to lead almost from start to finish, holding off Dill's Boy by half a length, with favored Music Maker third, another neck back. The winner, a surprising 7‑2 second choice, posted the fastest time of the meeting to that point—2:041/5, over a fast but somewhat dull strip. Mr. Coaltown, making his first start of the year, had been unplaced in four outings in 1963.
In the Chagrin Valley, $3,000 pace feature, Mr. C. Song registered a convincing victory—also in 2:041/5—the second straight at the meeting for the 5‑year‑old son of Darn Flashy and Mary C. Song, owned by Miller Motor Sales of Fremont, O. Bruce Nickells drove the brown stallion, which topped Victory Way by a length and a half, with Hideaway Pat edging Royal Black for third money, another three lengths back.
On the weekend program, Seven Bells, giving John Caton his first driving victory of the meeting, took the Invitational Pace; R. So Also and Ding Dong Dell captured the preferred paces; and Mr. Rabbit won a $5,000­$3,500 claimer for his fourth straight win at the 14‑night‑old meeting.
The 8,063 patrons sent $279,160 through the mutuel windows, a new Saturday night plant record. The old mark, $269,825, was established June 16, 1960.

ABOUT TIME VICTORIOUS IN 2:081/5
About Time, a Good Time‑Jane Brewer colt pulled a mild upset in the $3,000 Ohioian Pace, the first of a series of four stake events. The Elbridge Moxley owned sidewheeler took the measure of favorite Combat Time as the Good Time-Fleet Star youngster finished last in the four-horse field. Kiss In Time was a close second in 2:081/5 and Chester Sue got up for the show spot. About Time evened the score against Kiss In Time, as the Earl Bowman driven colt had been defeated in their first meeting. This left the 3‑year‑old pacing division on the open side as there have been no re­peat winners thus far in the season for this group of sopho­more sidewheelers.
end of quote

I've 52 files with Painesville  in the title name. The earliest being 1941.

 I'd have to dig the reference out, however based upon recollection:

There were originally 6 or 7 forty-four day meets for harness racing in Ohio.
 Today's race dates still remain based upon the holders of those original 44-day meets.

[Wilderness]

Each meet had 44 days allocated to them.
Raceway has their license, and the old Maumee-Ft. Miami license. Northfield
has thier own, plus Painesville and Grandviews.  Scioto has their own and
the old Hillards license.

[NFLD Jake]

The Lake County Fairgrounds in Painesville hosted the Painesville meeting, which featured pari-mutuel wagering. The Grandview meeting was raced, I believe, in the Aurora area (near today's Sea World) Northfield Park was constructed and opened in 1957 by Grandview's owner, Walter J. Michael, who wanted to build a new track where he could race his own horses from his Pickwick Farms.

I can still remember Michael and his right-hand gal, Presley Pettibone, who ran Northfield with an iron fist. Charles Alatis ran the Painesville meeting for a small group of owners.

Michael was from Bucyrus, had some very good horses, and loved to bet on them. I'm not sure if Painesville moved to the new Northfield Park right away, or a year or two later. Northfield Park was a car racing track before it was torn down and the horse racing plant was built.

[LVGaryD]

The Lake County Fairgrounds in Painesville hosted the Painesville meeting, which featured pari-mutuel wagering. The Grandview meeting was raced, I believe, in the Aurora area (near today's Sea World) Northfield Park was constructed and opened in 1957 by Grandview's owner, Walter J. Michael, who wanted to build a new track where he could race his own horses from his Pickwick Farms.

I can still remember Michael and his right-hand gal, Presley Pettibone, who ran Northfield with an iron fist. Charles Alatis ran the Painesville meeting for a small group of owners.

Michael was from Bucyrus, had some very good horses, and loved to bet on them. I'm not sure if Painesville moved to the new Northfield Park right away, or a year or two later. Northfield Park was a car racing track before it was torn down and the horse racing plant was built.

And NFLD Jake is the winner. We are honored to have him here once again as a member. If anyone knows more about the old days at Northfield than myself or Mr. Gisser about Northfield, it is Nlfd Jake, the greatest harness writer in Cleveland history.

 

[Wilderness]

I can still remember Michael and his right-hand gal, Presley Pettibone,

WHATA BARON, b c (1972) p, 2, 2:04.2h Baron Hanover-Whata Wick
BREEDER: Presley E. Pettibone, Solon, Ohio
SALES RECORD: $27,000 at 1973 Northfield sale.
OWNERS: Peter Kirkwin, McKeesport, Pa.
end of quote

from Sept 25, 1957 HH and Northfield. (not a great qaulity pic)
Text read:
William Buckler's 4-year-old gelding Willine Way pauses in the Northfield Park winner's circle while driver Don Edwards accepts the trophy from Mrs. Pressley Pettibone, secretary to Walter J. Michael, the president of Northfield Park. The Direct Way gelding turned the mile in 2:08. Mrs. Pettibone is modeling the mink stole which later that evening was awarded to a lucky ticket holder as part of the track's Ladies Night program.

[Wilderness]

I've a nagging recollection of one or two fires at either Grandview or Painesville, however don't feel like chasing geese today.


from Nov 19, 1953 HH.
Grandview, in 1953
Cleveland, once the locale for many Grand Circuit meetings at North Randall, and other meetings at Cranwood, Glenville and Rockport, really got back on the harness horse map this year with the opening of Grandview Oval, a luxurious but spic and span half-mile layout which was converted from a one-mile running track.

Grandview was specifically planned for night harness racing, and President Jack Harris and his associates left few stones unturned--and, incidentally, placed $1,500,000 on the line-to bring forth the country's newest plant, undoubtedly Ohio's showplace, and one of the best in the country.

Grandview established a new high in liberality when it opened its early closing events with only a 1 % nominating fee followed with a 1% starting payment. That horsemen went for this new arrangement was borne out by the fact that Grandview averaged 51 bona fide nominations per early closer.

Furthermore, Grandview did not levy any starting fee in its overnight events, a policy that will be continued in 1953, when minimum purses will again be $600. Soon after the first of the year, Grandview's 1953 program will be published, and horsemen will be pleased to know it will cater to the average stable.

Satisfaction for their opening venture was expressed by President Jack Harris and his associates, as well as such leading officials as General Manager Dick Case, Racing Secretary Pres Jenuine, starter Harry Pyle and the other top-drawer men who assured quality, formful racing. The packed entry lists proved that the races and conditions at the glittering plant met with approval of owners, trainers and drivers.
And the important stamp of approval by the general public was borne out in the attendance and wagering marks established during the meeting. And this despite the fact that inclement weather prevailed throughout much of the meeting, particularly through the month of October. Track conditions forced cancellation of six of the 44 night programs, yet attendance and tote handle mounted steadily. The final night, in near freezing weather, some 5,000 harness devotees poured $254,000 through the machines, which left the meeting with a nightly average handle of $128,000.

Grandview Oval's 1953 Plans call for further track and ground improvements (particularly in the stable area), bigger purses and a request for mid-summer racing dates.

Those who attended Grandview's opening meeting agree that harness racing under the lights is here to stay in the Buckeye State, and the Cleveland plant is destined to set the pace in the fascinating sport.

[Wilderness]

from Dec 17, 1958 HH:

GRANDVIEW FIRE SCENES

A
summer photo of A the Grandview clubhouse and grandstand.

The intensity of the blaze can be shown by the twisted steel beams and girders of the gutted grandstand.

One hour after the blaze broke out both stands and clubhouse were levelled. This view is of the former entrance to the clubhouse.

[Wilderness]

.....so, I seem to recall it being said that Painesville was once a parimutual racetrack.  Is that true and if so when was that?

Hey Dale,
                 Some good insights in replies, however not the dates you were looking for

 Bets guess for an inaugural at Painesville is 1951 or 1952,
I have a couple of summaries archived from '52, however the '51 cupboard is currently bare (I'm working on 1950 HH issues and have approximately 39-1951 issues to follow in sequence).

The best source for these old tracks dates are the USTA Trotting and Pacing Guides, which began publication in 1947. The earliest year that I have is 1963 and gave away fourteen last year to an industry org that would prove more useful than my occasional peeks.
 The T&P's also include location and mailing addresses for the early tracks as well.
 The pre-1960s are most difficult to locate and even the USTA does not have some of the early issues.

 So best guess is 1952-64, however the 1964 references I provided previously could have been Painesville at Northfield, similar to when when Maywood picked up the old Aurora dates.

The following from the Jun 1964 Hoof Beats:
THEY WERE off and breaking records at the Painesville at Northfield Park meeting again as the 1964 132-night season got underway on Friday, May 1st. (3 time 44 is 132 days and not just Painesville).

[MichiganDale]

This thread has some great information in it!   Thanks, guys!   Its a pleasure to drop in and catch up on things while taking a quick break from all the commitments I have here in the Nation's Capital!    Been very busy start to finish......took in a quick tour of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing today and DAMN, they wouldn't give out any 'samples!'   The say on any given day the 'money on hand' in that building ranges between 1 and 4 $BILLION DOLLARS!   Remarkable, actually, and here's something I found very interesting when one in my group asked how a person gets a job working there......first up, most workers have been there for decades, very low turnover and they have a rule (one of many) that says if a applicant has ANY History of gambling they are disqualified from employment immediately!  Sounds a bit discriminatory against us fine upstanding gamblers, don't you think?!   

[dinkadoo]

off topic of Painesville, my dad used to race a horse at Hamilton Raceway which was about 5 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. ( they raced fairs there up to about the last 10 years ). They used to race in conjunction with Lebanon, and Old Latonia Raceway.

I have a picture of my dad winning a race in like 1972 with a win time of 2:12. Old wood shaft sulkies had spoked wheels with no discs... Watch those swinging feet.

[Wilderness]

from Aug 5, 1936 Harness Horse:
Hamilton, Ohio
Hamilton, O., July 27.—Tryax, 3, 2:021/2, fastest threeyear-old pacer of 1935, and star of the stable of F. D . Fulton of Chicago, smartly driven by Charley Mabrey, carried off top honors as the second and final full week of racing here was inaugurated tonight.

The son of Truax 2:031/2 demonstrated in no uncertain terms that he is again in top form, his winning effort at the mile route in 2:061/4 the fastest yet recorded here, and from now on he should be a dominant factor in all his engagements, several of which are at the Grand Circuit meetings.
Counterfit, a son of the former $25,000 Pacing Derby winner, Counterpart 2:021/4 tripped over the favorite for the claiming pace, Mr. Evergreen, but only after engaging in three desperate finishes with the candidate from the Morrison stable.

A trio of winners dividing the honors, with Maplewin best in the final summaries, the daughter of Mr. McElwyn, owned by Lloyd Clayton of Maplewood, O., right on hand in each trip, the first being copped by Jew Rotan and the second by Mac O'Guy, the finishes of which had the large Monday night crowd on its feet.
The summary:

July 29-Racing was resumed tonight, last night's card having to be carried over, the result of a hard, but much welcomed rain, late in the afternoon which left the track unfit for racing. Favorites came through in nearly all of tonight's events, with but one candidate, Worthy Burton paying above the ten dollar mark, his first winning effort in the mile dash of the claiming pace refunding his backers $15.80.

Walton Boy, the property of G. M. Earle of New Philadelphia, O., and driven tonight by Harry Craig, added another victory to his season's total by heading the field of 17 trotters in two of the three dashes, both of which he won by taking a long lead early and holding a safe margin at the finishes. A break near the wire in the final made it possible for Gabe Cartnal to get home first with Rockdale McElwyn.

Widow Volo, second choice in the betting to Dolly Henley for the three-year-old pace, went a most creditable race, just losing out the first time to the favorite and then coming on to win the two succeeding dashes by a safe margin. The winner is the property of Theo. Hilt, the well-known Sandusky, O., enthusiast.
The summary:

July 30-Tonight's card presented no feature, the program being built up for the candidates of the slower classes. This, however, did not detract from the racing, and the crowd was treated to a thrilling evening of sport, six of the nine finishes being all the crowd could ask for, and with two accidents during the course of the evening, those on hand received their money's worth.

Peter H. F. who has been coming along nicely for Wayne Smart was considered the likely winner of the three-year-old trot, but in only the first trip was he a factor, breaks spoiling whatever chances he had. Frisco Watts, a likely looking son of Peninsular Farm's Real Frisco 2:073/4, owned by Dr. E. P. Clement of Elyria, 0., earned top honors, returning to the winner's circle on two of the three dashes, Doc McMillen's Herico heading Mazie B. F. in the final.

In the 24 pace Wayne Smart kept Rainey G. Henley in front long enough to gain the judges' decision over May 1. Henley, in one of the closest finishes of the meeting; in the second and third dashes Harry Craig brought Directpart out in the lane and the son of Counterpart 2:021/4 had enough to stall off the rushes of Rainey G. Henley and May I. Henley, in another pair of thrilling finishes.
The summary:

July 31-The fact that seven different candidates divided up the nine dashes on this evening's card proved very conclusively that the field staged a merry battle for top honors all the way through. In the feature, the classified trot which brought together seven of the better grade trotters at the track, Adviser gave his backers some anxious moments. Coming out quite lame, he was backed down to odds on, and shortly after the word in the first dash made a break, Roy Blizzard coming on to win fairly handily with The Volo, 4, 2:061/4, bred and owned once more by judge Reese Blizzard of Parkersburg, W. Va., who repurchased the gelding here last week. Carl. Scott had the favorite trotting all the way in the final two dashes, the gelding flashing the brand of speed he is known to possess, his three-quarters in 1:333/4 the fastest of the meeting.

In the evening's other trotting event, three different candidates divided the honors. Ray Hamilton, a good threeyear-old last fall, won the opener in a hard drive from The Red Argot and Jack Randles; Jack the Ripper came fast through the lane to get up and gain the decision in the second; and the third found Jew Rotan, the rangy gelding being hustled home at the rail by Bob Vallery.

Colonel Drew 2:071/2, who is one of the most improved performers out racing through this section this year, was best of the classified pacers, having the necessary speed to hold his opposition safe, except in the second when his young driver, Delvin Miller, waited too long to come out from his position as third trailer, Miss Pauline Oakland landing by a small margin.
The summary:

August 1-This, the twelfth and final night of racing, brought out the best crowd of the week, and resulted in a fine evening of sport, each and every one of the nine dashes, with but one exception, closed with finishes which kept all present enthused, with the night's feature the handicap pace, bringing about three of the greatest finishes seen at the meeting, the final being one of the greatest seen anywhere.

Wayne Smart had Single Patchen dropped in where he could win in the classified trot, the son of Single G 1:581/2, whose get were prominent throughout the night's activities, winning his first two dashes with plenty to spare, a break in the final leaving it possible for Polly Ann to gain the decision.
The handicap provided the biggest thrills of the closing, keeping the crowd on its feet from start to finish, as the finishes were all very close, so close that only those in the judges' stand were able to determine the winners. Jay Douglas landed the first with Single Hunter after some vigorous work on his part through the lane; The Politician got home by a scant margin in the second to pay $8.60, and then in a seven horse finish in the final, Derald Maher brought Sonny Boy on from sixth position at the head of the lane to finish on the outside and catch the eye of the judges, the stretch battle and finish one of the greatest we have ever witnessed.

Mr . Evergreen which Hump Morrison is racing for Theo. Hilt of Sandusky, O., was picked out as the favorite in the classified pace, and he came through in two of the three dashes, Robert Scott outrushing the favorite with Roxy the Great in the mile trip, to pay the evening's top price, $17.40.
The summary:

----
from Mar 12, 1958 Harness Horse:
HAMILTON RACEWAY PLANS
Latest addition to the night racing roster in Ohio is Hamilton Raceway slated for 44 nights of action beginning June 10 through August 2. The past several seasons the track has been the scene of thoroughbred racing but will be converted for the trotters and pacers.
Work is to be started immediately on widening the oval, in addition to resurfacing and conditioning of the footing.

President Sheldon L. Bums of the Hamilton Harness Racing Association Inc., stated that there will be racing every night, regardless of weather, with every effort being made to create an ultra-safe track for the sulky sitters and their mounts.

Located on U.S. 4, about a quarter mile north of Hamilton, Ohio, the raceway is approximately 20 miles north of Cincinnati. It is also very handy of access to Dayton.

Current plans call for eight races a night during the week, with a ninth added to the card for the Friday and Saturday programs. The grandstand, which is also being renovated, seats 3,500 and there is free parking for 4,000 cars. Nightly post time will be 8:30.

Other officers of the association are R. E. Leroy, first vicepresident; Mark Brown, second vice-president, and Corwin Nixon, secretary-treasurer and general manager. Mr. Nixon, very well known in Ohio racing circles as the general manager of Lebanon Raceway, is also a director of the United States Trotting Association.

The selection of racing officials will be made soon, according to the president, and will be drawn from top-calibre men in their field.
A feature of the initial meet will be the appearance of the top four- and five-year-old pacers on June 20, when the Transamerica eligibles will do battle. With any luck in the weather the victor should set up a track mark that will take some beating in the future.

The Stable area houses 700 horses, insuring plenty of space for horses and horsemen.

All in all, the Hamilton plant shapes up as one of the most attractive additions to the sport in recent years, with a progressive management that is working energetically to make the raceway a success in short order.

--------
from Sep 1960 Hoof Beats:

HAMILTON RACEWAY concluded its session August 6th and general manager Corwin Nixon pronounced a successful meeting. The former thoroughbred racing plant provides excellent facilities for harness racing and the track's backers are optimistic about the future. The fans in the Cincinnati--Dayton area helped Hamilton maintain its pace set last year while thoroughbred tracks in the vicinity were experiencing a recession this season.

More than 3,000 sat in on Friday and 3,500 on Saturday, final two nights of racing and the handle rose to $112,992 on getaway night.
Eugene Fogt led the drivers in the percentage column while Bob Farrington had the most winners with Jerry Harry pro. viding competition.