That is true if the crowd of approximately 700 that witnessed the racing spectacular at Vesey Street is any indication of the continuing popularity of local harness racing.

Those fortunate to be in attendance saw several exciting finishes as regular field races along with two and three-year-old Stakes races -- the first held in Bermuda -- dominated the card.

T.W. Second Try, driven by Nicholas DeCosta, won the two-year-old Stakes and the $250 first place prize and silver trophy, but required superlative efforts to do so as she was shadowed by Spencer's Taylor Maid (Charles Whited) in both heats.

The first was a real battle that had the duo seperated by just two-tenths of a second with T.W. Second Try clocking 1:19 compared to 1:19/1 for Spencer's Taylor Maid. The next race was equally close with Taylor Maid a little more than a second off the pace.

Meanwhile, having no such difficulties was Eddie the Great, owned and driven by Michael DeCosta, as the pony ran away with the three-year-old Stakes.

In doing so Eddie the Great more than lived up to his advanced billing, missing the track record by a little more than two seconds. DeCosta guided his charge to times of 1:10/4 and 1:12/2 in dismissing the challenge of Daniel Greenslade's Ponder Babe (1:14/2) during the first run and Tom Matthews' Catch A Fire (1:12) for the final dash.

Catch A Fire (1:13) had earlier won an elimination dash against Tina's Princess (1:13/3) to earn the right to the final.

One spectator with more than a passing interest in Eddie the Great was Eddie Rose of the Sunshine Raceway in Florida. Rose broke the pony into harness racing and served as his trainer during the time he was regarded as one of the state's top two and three-year-olds.

Among the 14 field races to take place, Nateway (Michael DeCosta) again showed his pedigree taking two lopsided victories against Grand Magic in the top time bar (1:12/4 and faster).

Others walking away with pieces of silverware were Ell Dee's Mary Ellen (Joseph Viera) in the 1:26 and slower bar, Sandtrap (John Flood) for 1:19-1:24/4 (B), Bermuda Warrior (Murrey Terceira) 1:19-1;24/4 (A), Ralph-L-Time (Charles Whited) 1:16-1:18/4, J.B.'s T.W. Bell (Fernando Rego) 1:13-1:15/4 (B) and Hoe Down Don (Daniel Greenslade) 1:13-1:15/4.

Also in the spotlight were seven vintage carriages that paraded at the grounds.

The next set of races will take place on New Year's Day commencing at 1 p.m.

INSIDE TRACEK -- Charles Whited and Ralph-L-Time, centre, have things their way during racing at Vesey Street on Boxing Day. The pair had finishes if first and third in the 1:16-1:18 time bar. At left are Mark Lindo and Misty's Little Dream with Derek Cocklin and Penny's Rocky Road on the right.