For anyone who misses the old-fashioned and traditionalist style of harness racing, tomorrow at the Cornish Fairgrounds will offer the opportunity to turn back the clock, relive old memories and enjoy the genuine sport of harness racing.

Noontime Saturday kicks off a card of eight races. For those expecting to see current driving stars on the racing scene, they may experience disappointment because those "name" drivers will not display their talents. Rather, trainers and grooms who have never driven a pari-mutuel race will unveil their talents.

Such prominent names like Kevin Switzer Jr. and Steve Nason drove their first career races there. Apparently, even though a minimum apprenticeship, it served them both well, as they compete (and win) at Scarborough Downs, Bangor Raceway and the fairs.

In its eleventh year of operation, the Cornish Fair has roots that trace back over a century in harness racing.

As to why the fair reinstituted racing, Diane Perkins, a Cornish resident and lifelong member of the harness racing fraternity says, "basically we did it to raise money for the fairgrounds that had fallen into disrepair and we wanted to rebuild it. With what we get from the gate receipts, we have raised almost $40,000 thus far to put into refurbishing the place. We get between 300 and 400 people here on Saturday, who come to enjoy the sport the way it used to be.

"In a relaxing atmosphere, people can see what it's like to participate in harness racing and what the sport is like. It's a family port. People look forward to coming here because they can have picnics or barbeques while enjoying the old-fashioned racing and generally have fun in a carefree setting."

The racing provides an opportunity not available elsewhere. Grooms, those unheralded, yet indispensable members of the harness racing world, get a chance to drive in a race. Since these opportunities come about as frequently as the appearance of Halley's Comet, the grooms really look forward to this day.

Retired standardbreds will race under saddle, perhaps a throwback to European racing where they still race under saddle on the trotting gait at some of the tracks abroad.

The key to success at Cornish derives from the volunteer efforts of all personnel, from the presiding judge to the starter to those who guide the patrons parking their cars. As a further testament to the volunteer efforts, inmates of a local jail are painting the grandstand in preparation for race day.

Not to worry about watching the races in silence, as announcer Mike Cushing will call the races.

For anyone who can recall the way racing used to be or who would like to reconnect with a time gone by, then this Saturday afternoon at the Cornish Fairgrounds could satisfy those yearnings.

And if you do not want to pack a picnic lunch, the Cornish Fire Department will man the food booth to serve those in attendance.

If you somehow miss the long away and far ago, then Cornish Fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon is the place to be.

BITS, BOOTS & BRIDLES:  For the first time in 59 years, all the races on a single card at Scarborough Downs were timed in 1:59 or less; Kevin Switzer, Jr. steered home four that day, while Drew Campbell had three of his own . . . Lucky "nines": on September 9, Mike Graffam reined Neutral Court to his ninth seasonal MSBS win, just not from the "nine" hole . . . Neutral Court's winning time of 1:56.2 was three-fifths of a second faster than Sign the Page, another Graffam entry. . . last week, Neutral Court recorded a stakes record performance at the Windsor Fair, timed in 1:55, also a seasonal best for the horse . . . Willin Dylan set a track record for freshman trotting colts at Scarborough, timed in 2:03.4 . . . Current Chip erased a 16 year-old standard for freshman trotting fillies, going in 2:04.3, also at Skowhegan . . . if you want to own a Maine-bred, your best chance of securing purse money seems to lie with two year-old pacing fillies; 20 different individuals have gotten checks this year, ranging from the lowest earner ($791.92) to the leader with $18,695.99 . . . Valerie Grondin leads the MSBS trainers with earnings of $152,064, while her driver, Heath Campbell leads the drivers with $147,461.43 . . .