During the Golden Era of Delaware Valley racing in the 1960s through late 1980s, Jim Crane was one of the most successful horsemen to race at Brandywine, LibertyBell Park.

When the Meadowlands opened in the 1970s, Crane also raced horses in the track's major events.

Crane was known as one of the sport's finest developers of 2-Year-Old stakes colts and fillies.

Some of the star pacers that Crane trained were Nero, Royce, Andrel, Radiant Ruler, Judge, Black Ace, Valerian, Dana Lobell, Hobby Horse Lupe and many others who became Grand Circuit and major stakes winners.

A number of Crane's horses became well-known and successful stallions.

A native of Bromley, Mo., Crane retired following the closure of Brandywine Raceway and lived the last part of his life in Aiken, S.C., where during his career he broke to harness and developed many of his top horses.

While stationed in Virginia during World War II, Crane met his future wife and mother of his children, Dorothy Elizabeth Matthews.

All of his four children, Beverly Roszin, Dennis Crane, Chet Crane and Donna Fitzgerald, at one time have been in the harness racing. Crane's daughter Bev and her then husband, trainer driver Roger Hammer are parents of Crane's granddaughter Misti Lynn Kekevian.

After serving as a Naval fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II, Crane became a leading sales manager for the Kirby Vacuum Cleaner Co. while living in Baltimore, Md.

He later moved to Salisbury on Maryland's Eastern Shore where he met Bobby Cherrix, who introduced Jim to harness horses and he fell in love with the sport fast. At first, as a part owner, then a trainer and eventually as a driver.

Crane's first horse was Dark Satin, a pacer. For several years he trained at a farm in nearby Princess Anne, Md. where he built a regulation half-mile training track.

During his career in racing, Crane raced at many of the East Coast tracks.

In addition to Brandywine, Liberty Bell and the Meadowlands, during three decades he also raced at Rosecroft, Freestate and Laurel Raceway, Ocean Down, The Meadows, Yonkers, Roosevelt and Monticello raceways.

After early success while in Maryland, Crane accepted a position training and driving a stable for well-known lumberman-horse owner Ed Schafer in California where he conditioned many good horses.

A few years later, Crane returned East opening a public stable. In a short time, he became known as an outstanding trainer and for his ability to choose yearlings at sales venues.

Crane would use top catch-drivers when his horses competed in major events. At the Meadowlands, John Campbell would usually drive horses for Crane.

Courtesy Of Marv Bachrad, Publicity Director, Dover Downs with grateful thanks to Dean A. Hoffman and The United States Trotting Association