Akron-Cleveland racing history; fresh story on Ascot Park

[westcoastinvader]

I think a few of us have Akron-Cleveland roots we've written about here. I cut my teeth (literally) at the old Ascot Park.

Mark Price has written a nice little story about the old park in today's Akron Beacon Journal. I probably didn't miss too many Saturday's at Ascot from 1957 until it's close. I also made a few weekdays after school.

And more than one when my mother took me out of school at lunchtime to grab a cab to the track to catch the 1st race.

My memory is the last Ascot Gold Cup actually at Ascot was 1966, and that Kentucky Derby entrant Loyal Son was the 1966 winner....not 1967 as the story mentions.....but I could be wrong.

Very nice story, just the same.


http://www.ohio.com/news/44276472.html

And the first few words by Mark Price:


Loyal Son was loyal to the finish. Although his best years were behind him, the horse ran away with the 1967 Ascot Gold Cup.

The 8-year-old bay gelding was a former Kentucky Derby contender and great-grandson of the legendary Man O'War. He captured his 24th and final victory at Ascot Park, winning a two-mile marathon by four lengths.

''He's some kind of horse, ain't he?'' jockey Ronnie Fairholm said in the winner's circle.

A few months later, Loyal Son died unexpectedly. His Ohio owners buried him near the 41/2 furlong chute at the track in what was then Northampton Township.

This was a park with a heart.