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Seymour Newman |
Addin Katz |
(from The Canadian Sportsman - May 2000)
NEWMAN AND KATZ - TWO GRASSROOTS RACE FANS
Every once in a while you meet people who spark your interest and give you
a much needed boost of enthusiasm when you have been involved in the
racing business for over 15 years. That is the case with this story
when I had the chance to meet two very huge racing fans by the names of
Seymour Newman and Addin Katz at Flamboro Downs.
Newman and Katz have become some of the sports biggest fans and can be
seen attending often at both Flamboro Downs and the OJC racetracks.
Newman is no stranger to the racing business having parents who introduced
him to the game in the late 50's.His recollection of his introduction into
harness racing goes back a ways when he remembered attending the races on
a weekly basis in Montreal at Blue Bonnets and Richelieu Race Courses.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Newman claimed their first
horse out of the now closed Garden City Raceway and this gave Seymour the
bug that would last for decades. The family stable grew to over 10
standardbreds over the next ten years and they even tried their hand in
the thoroughbred business owning a runner to compete when Blue Bonnets
offered both thoroughbred and harness racing at the track.
"Travelling to the various tracks, be it Canada or the USA, and meeting
down to earth people was the greatest and fondest thrill for me", states
the 57 year old Toronto resident. "Family was important and it was a
pleasure to be able to connect racing with a family outing". "More
than just my parents, what really drew me in was watching the likes of
Keith Waples and the pacer
Mac Wil compete in Montreal. They were awesome as a team."
Today, Newman is a successful business owner along with partner Addin
Katz, in a computer company called Sunrise Computer Consulting and have
just recently found their way back to many of the racetracks in North
America. They are frequent visitors to the Flamboro's half miler, to the
OJC tracks, and have even visited other tracks including Northfield in
Cleveland, Rideau Carleton Raceway in our Nations Capital as well as
London's Western Fair.
Addin Katz is not your typical program carrying race fan, he goes much
deeper than that. The self proclaimed harness racing fan is a wealth of
knowledge when it come to statistics, or past performances by the equine
athletes. Katz, was introduced a year ago into the business by his partner
and spends a great deal of time learning and understanding the many
aspects
of the racing business.
"I am astounded by the behind the scenes activities that must take place
each racing day and am thrilled with being able to see first hand what it
is like to ride in the starting car as an example", and adds, "the
other day at Flamboro I had the privilege of riding with Flamboro starter,
Abbie Nickle and I must say that the experience was one I will not ever
forget. To see these fierce competitors come in behind the car and put on
their game faces is a sight to behold."
"I also would like to add that the people associated with Flamboro Downs,
from the mutuel clerks to the security department, to the dining room
staff have made our visits memorable and I now find the place as
comfortable as my home. I truly feel welcome at Flamboro Downs."
Katz relocated to the metropolitan Toronto area seven years ago from
Montreal to join forces with Newman enjoys visiting the races on the
internet when he is not able to attend in person. He is a regular
contributor to the discussion board on this site and co-moderates along
with Seymour the same discussion board.
"I hope to one day become involved as I, like many are excited about
the prospects of the slots coming to Ontario racetracks and the expected
influx of money into the purse pools by virtue of this new expanded gaming
opportunity" and add, "the future of racing in Ontario looks brighter that
ever."
As a racing official in the business for some time, it is a pleasure to
see former owners and race fans come on back to the track after years of
absence and to see the excitement and enthusiasm of the new blood, such as
Katz. It gives you back the sparks needed to drive this business into the
future.
We need busloads more of these fine folks. |
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