On the Rail At Sanford's
The Sanford Farm track was not just for exercise. Just after the turn of the twentieth century, racing was a popular afternoon attraction, based on the crowds along the rail, the carriages parked in the infield, and this locally-produced series of postcards.

ABOVE: The umbrellas are presumably raised in defense against the sun, which must have beaten down unbearably on those dark suits and voluminous shirtwaists.

ABOVE: "  ", "Nellie" wrote proudly to her friend Rilla Parsons of Earlville, NY on July 10, 1906. Dad, wiping his neck beneath the brim of his stylish straw boater, appears to have sort of official role in the proceedings, or perhaps he is getting down a bet with the gentleman in the dark suite who is holding a sheaf of papers.

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ABOVE:  Apparently the entire Sanford Stable paraded before the crowd. The Sanfords appear to have prefered local place names for their horses. "Chuctanunda" is a creek that runs through Amsterdam and "Rockton" a nearby hamlet.

BELOW: Keeping the horses on the starting line looks to have been impossible before the invention of the starting gate.

BELOW: Hat style was the ultimate fashion statement. Apparently no self-respecting man or woman attended an outdoor event with head uncovered, except for the iconoclast on the balcony.

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