Item PH26895 - Old-style horse racing tonight

"Tonight at Barrie Raceway, old style horse racing will be featured, as six high-wheeled sulkies will take part in a special race. The sulkies, imported from the United States, will be used by horses and drivers usually competing at the raceway. The sulkies are replicas of an 1864 model and have high wheels. The large wooden spokes in the original wheels have been replaced with steel spokes. The special sulkies were the idea of California racing executive Jim Dunnigan. They were built by Harry Alberty of Los Angeles, who builds wagons and coaches used by movies and television programs. Alberty had problems constructing wheels and axles which would stand the strain of racing but eventually after months of experimenting, he came up with a workable design. The sulkies cost about $12,000, far more than the $450 price of a modern cart."