Chasing the Dream: A Lifelong Passion for Harness Racing

Burt Firtel's journey in the world of harness racing has been a long and winding one, spanning over five decades. From his humble beginnings at Foxboro Raceway to his current endeavors at Pompano Park, Firtel's unwavering dedication to the sport has been a constant throughout his life. As he approaches his 85th birthday, his quest to find that elusive "great horse" continues, with the hopes of one day capturing the coveted Little Brown Jug.

A Lifetime of Ups and Downs in the Sport of Kings

From Foxboro to the Meadowlands: A Rollercoaster Ride

Firtel's journey in harness racing began at Foxboro Raceway in Connecticut, where he had the opportunity to get involved with a $5,000 claimer named Rufus Direct, along with his partner, Jack Morici. Firtel's stable consisted of three different claimers, none of which were champions, but they managed to pay their way. However, when the Meadowlands opened, Firtel's stable was quickly wiped out, as all three of his horses were claimed within just seven days. This setback was so significant that a Boston newspaper even ran a story with the headline "Burt Firtel is Crying in his Beer."Undeterred, Firtel decided to join the Meadowlands scene, claiming a New Zealand import named Wairocka On. Despite the horse's challenges, including falling down during a race and being blind in one eye, Firtel was able to turn him into a decent performer. Firtel continued to own horses with varying degrees of success, until he eventually sold his business and moved to Florida, where he began racing at Pompano Park.

The Downfall of Harness Racing in Florida

Firtel believes that the demise of harness racing in Florida can be attributed to the horsemen and, more specifically, the horsemen's association. He argues that the association's inability to hire professionals to represent their interests, unlike their thoroughbred counterparts, led to their downfall. Firtel contends that the horsemen's association's amateurish approach to the challenges posed by the rise of casinos ultimately resulted in the sport being "flushed down the drain" in the Sunshine State.

Shifting Gears: From Claimers to Yearlings

In recent years, Firtel has shifted his focus from racing claimers to almost exclusively racing youngsters, most of which he has purchased as yearlings. This change in strategy is driven by Firtel's desire to "hit the home run" and acquire that elusive "great horse" before his time in the sport comes to an end. At 85 years old, Firtel recognizes that he may not have many more chances to find that special horse, and he believes that the only way to do so is to invest in yearlings and watch them develop.

A Stable in Flux: Balancing Quality and Quantity

Firtel's current stable is in a state of constant flux, with the number of horses fluctuating over time. In November 2023, he owned pieces of 12 horses, but that number has since dwindled to just six. However, Firtel believes that his stable is now "short on numbers but fairly high in quality," with his horses being trained by a diverse group of trainers, including Travis Alexander, Linda Toscano, Peter Wrenn, and Freddie Grant.

The Pursuit of the Little Brown Jug

Firtel's current focus is on his horse, Sweet Beach Life, who is set to compete in the Little Brown Jug. Despite drawing the outside post position, Firtel remains excited about the opportunity, though he acknowledges that the odds of winning may not be in his favor. Nonetheless, Firtel is determined to be there to cheer on his horse, as he has done for the past 50 years in the sport.Firtel's journey in harness racing has been marked by both triumph and adversity, but his passion for the sport has never wavered. As he continues to chase his dream of finding that "great horse," Firtel's story serves as a testament to the enduring allure of the sport and the unwavering dedication of its most ardent supporters.