Spectator attendance at this year's 60th Matinee races was so large that it may be necessary in coming years to make N.C. 5 in Pinehurst a one-way street for race day.

Beautiful weather enticed people out to enjoy friends, family and a day of racing at the historic Pinehurst Harness Track. By sheer coincidence, two people turned 39 the same day, choosing to celebrate their Jack Benny birthdays at the track.

From the first race announcement of "And they're off" by announcer George Anthony to the last race, trainers, horses and drivers put on a great day of racing for the enthusiastic crowd.

"This is the biggest spectator turnout we've ever had," said Matinee Race Coordinator Dave Jannone. "I want to thank the community for their support. It's a difficult time for people, but if we can hang in there together, we can make the next event even bigger."

The Fluet family, all decked out in their yellow bee silks, returned once again, pitting brother against brother and father against sons as they took to the track in the seventh race. The youngest, Shane Fluet, was seeking to win the race for the third straight year. But brother Norman Jr. got in some extra practice by arriving the Wednesday before the race.

Practice made perfect. Norman Jr. raced into the winners' circle driving TGIF, trained by Norman Fluet Sr. and owned by Keith Franklin and Phil Fluet. Adding insult to injury, Norman Jr. beat his brother Phil, who is the only other professional driver in the family (besides Norman Sr.) with Phil's horse. Phil Fluet came in second followed by baby brother, Shane, who came in third. Alan Fluet came in fourth with Papa Fluet taking fifth.

The Fluet legacy continues as Norman Jr., who manages a restaurant in Knowlesville, N.Y., introduced his two-month-old daughter Chantelle, dressed in the Fluet silks, to the winners' circle. All the Fluets including the matriarch, Yolande from Montreal, were on hand to celebrate.

"It's a beautiful day," Fluet Sr. said. "It's very precious for me to have my family here."

Back at the barns while Lori Fluet (Norman Sr.'s wife) was washing down horses, the Fluet family reunion was in full swing.

Norman Sr. has been training standardbreds for nearly 40 years. It's easy to understand how he has survived in the business so long and why he is so well-respected. When asked if he had any promising rising stars in his barn of 15 horses, Fluet responded: "They're all nice horses. They are all doing well."

Thoughts of retirement don't seem to loom in Fluet's mind just yet.

"In this business, you start at the end of a wheelbarrow and you end up at the end of the wheelbarrow," said Fluet, referring to the fact that trainers don't have a built-in retirement plan.

Perhaps someday, baby Chantelle will follow in her grandfather's footsteps, singing victory songs to her children as they reach the winners' circle.

TOP THREE RESULTS: (Horse, driver, owner,) GORDEN CORY STABLE (trainer): 1.Eagle Artesian, Lewis Horton, Frank Dettore. 2. Galway Gael, Robert Stone, William Kirwan 3.Dramatic Breeze, Brad Rice, John Regina. MEDORS STABLE: 1.Medoland Big Cam, Gaither Cloer, Tamara Hoovler, Pat Medors & Slaughter Racing Stable 2. Joltin Colt, Mike Medors, Tina Sutermeister & Michael Medors 3. Northmedo Cruiser, Bill Carroll, Northmedo Stable. POLIE MALLAR STABLE: 1. Kennan's Q T Pi, Tavio Blanco 2. Kennan's Ethyl, Chase Vandervort, Ken Spurlock 3. Kennan's Nancy Lee, Pollie Mallar. SPEARMAN STABLE: 1. All Summer, Bill Carroll, Ron Brechler 2. Touch of Kathryn, Brad Crates, Ron Brechler 3. Talk Another Day, Tyler Rush, Ron Brechler. OPEN TWO YEAR OLD TROT: 1.Tinstar's Dreamer, Dan Rawlings, John Cummings & Mike Medors 2.Sky High, John Roach, Calvin Lashler 3.Boopsie Do, Dee Hotton, Timura's Trotters. SCOTT NORRIS STABLE: 1.Native Run, Chris Core, Anatolia Racing 2. A.J. Corbelli 3.McCarles Run, Brandon Williams, Durham & Norris. FLUET STABLE: 1. TGIF, Norman Fluet Jr., Keith Franklin & Phil Fluet 2. Major Workofart, Phil Fluet, Keith Franklin & Phil Fluet 3. JKS Dream Angel, Shane Fluet, James Kustra. SPEARMAN TROTTERS: 1. Lima Halo, Don Wilson, Ron Brechler, David Wills & Tom Paver.