Dateline: 10/30/99

Even horse racing has a Halloween tradition with the annual Gray Ghost Handicap at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, run at 1 1/6 miles on the turf. This race is usually held on Halloween night but since that is a Sunday night this year it will be run on Halloween Eve. It is restricted to gray horses only and the trophy is presented by the winners of the costume contest with a great time being had by all. Although the entrants are usually middle level in class, just the sight of a herd of grays racing to the finish is a thrill! Last year to spice up the mix, they added the Witches' Brew Stakes for the fillies and mares at 5 furlongs on the turf. Entries for the night's card can be found here courtesy of Equibase. The Gray Ghost is race 7 and the Witches' Brew is race 9. Once the races are over, you can find the results here. If you can't attend in person you can listen online with Real Audio.

The races is named for the original Gray Ghost, Native Dancer, who raced to fame in the early days of television. His gray color made him easy to spot on the small black and white TVs of the early 1950's and his winning ways quickly made him a fan favorite. Racing was televised much more frequently than today so millions saw him win and win often. He retired with a lifetime record of 22 starts, 21 wins, and one second. His lone defeat was in the 1953 Kentucky Derby where he lost by a nose to Dark Star. He lost Horse of the Year honors that year to Tom Fool but did win the title in 1954 before a recurring foot problem caused his retirement. He has also been a very big influence as a stallion through his daughter Natalma and her son the great sire Northern Dancer as well as his son Raise a Native, sire of the great Mr. Prospector who passed away earlier this year.

Want more Halloween goodies? Check out my collection of Halloween clip art, some with a horsey theme!

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