"That's the whole thing that makes it so crazy," said Lucien A. Fontaine, the harness driver and a resident since 1984.

That, at any rate, is what every harness driver, trainer and fan will tell you.

The harness drivers, who are running neck and neck for national money-winning honors, went by jet and helicopter to three tracks in three states.

Herve Filion pushed himself like no other harness driver around.

With more than 9 000 wins, he is the most victorious harness driver in Scandinavia.

Earlier this year, a thoroughbred trainer and a harness driver were accused of doping horses at Aqueduct.

Carmine's was in fact named after Carmine Abbatiello, the harness driver, she said.

Filion's brother, who is also a harness driver, faced similar accusations in the late 1980's.

With more than 5 000 wins he is one of the most successful harness drivers in Scandinavia.

On December 31, 2005 at the age of 55, Manzi became the oldest harness driver to lead North America in victories.