The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-09-17

The glorious and much-reverened sport of harness horse racing, which in the past few years has been enjoying a revival at many of the country's equine speedways, today represents a sharp contrast in many prospects, to the ''trots" our fore fathers of 30 and more years ago knew.
 The changing times are often being recalled these days at one of Connecticut's most popular tracks, the half-mile Cherry park oval in Avon, where meeting for the trotters and pacers will be conduct ed in conjunction with tl1ree-day fair, Thursday, Friday and Satulr- day, Sept, 26, 27 and 28.
 One of the longest ablished rac- ing plants in the United States, the track is over three-quarters of D century old and the fairgrounds are believed to have been in exist ence for at least 100 years.
 Just tn other afternoon, during D gabfeSt in the stables, one of the most unique races ever-in which 1oStiities were terminated because bf darkness after a long afternoon Df spirited rivalry and the final heat run off the next morning-was re- called. The marathon had it's set ping at Cherry palx some 50 years Ago.
 Well-Matched
 A field of closely-matched con- lenders started off the afternoons program with it being agreed that D victory in three out of five heats would be necessary to claim the winners purse. The battling con- inued until dusk settled down over rustic Avon, no entry proving its Superiority, but by the time a halt was called all of the horses were Eliminated but two. One was lilly named Fannie Burroughs, owned by David Strong and driven by Robert Barrett, a Winsted combination, while the other was driven by George Norway of Plainville. When the racing was resumed the fol- owing day, Fannie Burroughs thun- iered down to the finish line first "a notable, historical triumph. Rob- ert Barrett, incidentally, was grand father to William L. (BilD Barrett, Mr., now president and general man. hger of Cherry Park, Inc, and him. 6ef, an owner and driver.
 That was the day when fairs at Cherry park were events of great Importance to residents for miles hround. Entire families converged pn the fairgrounds at the crack of lawn /and everyone entered some Type of exhibit or took part in one bf the contests. Father would drive hlong couple of his prize COWS, he boys would bring their chickens, he girls generally displayed needle work and mothers culinary art was represented by tasty pie and cake prepared especially for the occasion.
 Those were also the years when the Collinsville roik hiked over the hearby mountain, climbing the so- eallsd Huckleberry hill, to reach Cherry park, while hundreds of others from throughout the state were transported by the old c. N. E. trains as far as the 1176 house and walked the mile from there to the fairgrounds and thought nothing of It.
 The present management, headed by the enterprising Bill Barrett, has been striving these past two years 10 perpetuate, revive harness horse |-acing at Cherry park to its former high level. Pleased and encouraged ,ver the support and interest of the general public, a standing invitation 10 inspect the attractive little rac- Ing plan has been issued to anyone interested. Hundreds have al- ready ayailed themselves of this opportunity.