May The Horse Be With You: Pack at the Track

If there were a picture next to the word horseplayer in the dictionary, odds are it would be the familiar visage of Harvey Pack, the legendary and curmudgeonly face and voice of racing to generations of New York racetrack denizens. In May the Horse be with You: Pack at the Track, Pack reflects on over a half century of racing's most memorable people, places and moments. From his seat in the grandstand as a childhood fan, to his decades of dedicated work behind the microphone and in front of the camera, Pack recalls a lively life at the track amidst millionaires, busted-out bettors, and ever-changing crew of wagering compatriots. Pack, with the help of author Peter Thomas Fornatale, tells Runyon-esque tales from his seven decades as a racing fan, highlighted by the characters he was fortunate (and unfortunate) enough to meet. In the end it wasn't the celebrities or racing superstars that Pack connected with best, but the regular racetrack Joe. Whether one finds himself lumped with the hundreds of fans who risk the rent money or just a casual $2 across-the-board bettor, it's the everlasting comradeship associated with being a horseplayer that Pack and so many others are drawn to day in and day out.

Harvey Pack is the legendary face and voice of New York racing. He provided the first television exposure for many of the game's leading handicappers and analysts and his popular Paddock Club was a fixture at Saratoga for many years.

Pack is the host of the Daily Racing Form seminars at Siro's in Saratoga. He resides in New York City with his wife, Joy. In addition to their two children, Michael and Julie, they have five grandchilden: Jenna Blewis, Brian Blewis, William Pack, Thomas Pack, and Alexandra Pack.

Peter Thomas Fornatale is a freelance writer and editor. He writes for the Saratoga Special and his DRF Press books include Six Secrets of Successful Bettors (co-authored with Frank Scatoni) and Winning Secrets of Poker. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.