Longacres Racetrack...

We grew up on the backstretch of Longacres Racetrack in Renton, Washington. Every year from May until September we lived and breathed horseracing.  Throughout our childhood, our Dad reigned as either the Leading Trainer or one of the top few each year. From the time school let out for summer vacation, until we returned after Labor Day, we enjoyed each and every minute of it. We got to spend the summers with Michael and Kelly  McMeans (our cousins), Damon and Sandra Knowles (kids of jockey Lennie Knowles who rode for our Dad much of the late 60s and early 70s), and the Baze kids (Russell, Mike, Earl, Corey, Dale, Jeff).

Longacres is gone now...sold to Boeing in the 1990s, ending an era of racing at what was undoubtedly the most beautiful racetrack in America. It was torn down shortly after it closed, and is now populated with office buildings, parking lots and roads. About all that remains from the past is the poplar trees that lined the once glorious racetrack.

I have nothing but great memories of growing up at Longacres- when racing was king, times were good, and my Dad was my hero...