Mickey Burke Sr. was a man I enjoyed chatting with over the years. We perhaps only had a few dozen conversations over the years but I always enjoyed his willingness to give me his unabashed opinions. There was no sugarcoating on his words. He spoke his truth and wasn't ashamed to share it. Never was this clearer to me than during an October 2022 in-depth interview where he discussed his journey in harness racing. He didn't hold anything back and truth be told, I may have eliminated a name or two to protect him. You can read the entire interview here. Mickey was 87 years old at his passing on May 6, and while I only knew him in his 70s and 80s, to me he always seemed to be a larger than life figure. He was a good story teller and didn't worry about your feelings when telling the tale, something I always appreciated. In an era when everyone seems to walk on eggshells to avoid conflict, Mickey was a throwback to an era when you just said what was on your mind. Whether he gets enough credit for it or not, Mickey transformed the modern sport of harness racing in North America. He created the concept of a big stable that could dominate across the country at every level from $2,500 claimers to stakes horses. Mickey wasn't the first to reach the 2,000 start plateau (Robert Belcher did it once in 2003) but he did create a new mold for success that allowed his son Ron to build a training empire. In his owns words, Mickey did it "step by step" and to this day still owns a few spots in the top 20 in terms of yearly starts and wins, trailing only the 15 consecutive seasons compiled by his son Ron Burke from 2009 to present. While in theory Mickey called it a career after the 2008 season, he was certainly a participating cog in the operation until the end. He spent his winters in Florida handling the organization's young horses and was a constant presence at the horse sales signing tickets for yearlings. Harness racing lost a builder of the sport this week, a man who invested in the industry and created a training empire. I'll remember him telling me he couldn't talk because the Pittsburgh Steelers were playing. I'll remember him holding court in the Burke barn at The Red Mile as the flies ate me alive. I'll remember him sitting in his chair at the Lexington Selected Sale just inside the second door on the right with a big smile on his face. I mourn his loss and submit below a collection of thoughts posted on social media from those equally saddened by Mickey's passing. Rest in peace. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Nancy Takter (Facebook): So incredibly saddened to get the call this morning that Mickey passed away. Despite the obvious competition between the Takter and Burke families we have always had a lot of respect and admiration for each other. Last year when I won the Hambletonian Mickey was the first person to call to congratulate me, before I even made it to the winner's circle. I didn't have my phone on me but Mickey left the most heartwarming congratulatory voicemail. Even though the Burkes were the beaten favorites that day, Mickey wanted to tell me how proud he was of me.  I still have the message on my phone and once in a while I listen to it. Mickey would call me every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. He was always good for a good story while jogging at The Red Mile, often causing our horses to jog extra laps so he could finish it. Heaven gained an angel today I am sure of because we had an angel on Earth while he was here.  Condolences to the entire Burke family. Darin Zoccali (X): Condolences to @RonBurkeRacing and the entire Burke family. Mickey Burke Sr. was a game-changer in the sport of harness racing and his impact on the sport will be long-lasting. May he rest in peace. Gabe Prewitt (X): Sad day in harness racing, as we've lost the original architect of Burke racing that his family continues to grow to unprecedented heights. He was a legend and a character; enjoyed interacting with him throughout the years. His legacy will forever be embedded on the sport. Michelle Crawford (X): Mickey Burke was a legend and will be greatly mourned and missed by all in the harness world and beyond. Condolences to his family and friends. Joe Bongiorno (X): Rest in peace Mickey Burke Sr. You were a great man and will be missed by many! I enjoyed all the moments I got to be around you and all the stories I was able to hear while being around you! May you rest in peace! My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Burke family! Heather Vitale (X): I'm heartbroken to hear about the loss of Mickey Burke Sr. I adored this man! Loved running up to him, surprising him out of nowhere every time and planting a big one on his cheek! I loved just sitting with him and listening to his beautiful life stories! Love you Mickey! Vicki Gingras (Facebook): He certainly started something that no one else has done in the harness racing industry, by building an unmatched racing empire with his vision and help of his family. We are blessed to be a part of it. Most will remember his wit, funny jokes, brutal honesty, and infamous storytelling. What stands out the most to me was his deep love, pride, and devotion to his family. It's quite special what they share. Although he was recognized for a few career milestones, I am still saddened by the fact he was never inducted in to the Goshen Hall of Fame. He deserved the honor as much as anyone, if not more. We have lost a good one...may he rest in peace. Dot Morgan (Facebook): My head is grieving but my heart is soaring. Mickey knew where he was going and now he has arrived! He lived life to the fullest and actively enjoyed it until the end of the chapter. He was a man of faith; a great horseman; a devoted family man and a generous giver. He always told me he was so blessed, and indeed, he is. PJ Fraley (Facebook): Through the ups and downs, maybe a disagreement here and there, from the bottom of my heart thank you for the opportunity, Mick, to ride along with the Burke Brigade. My deepest condolences and sympathies to Ronnie, Mickey JR, Becky, Michelle and most of all Miss Sylvia. I hope you all find peace and solace knowing the path Mickey left for us all to follow. Thank you Mickey Burke SR, I will always cherish our time together. May You RIP Boss. Tom Charters (Facebook): I am saddened to hear of the passing of Mickey Burke, a friend for almost half a century and a friendship which began long before the Burke Brigade had splashed on and reshaped the national harness scene. I'll remember him as a kind and generous soul with strong opinions, always very supportive of other horsemen, especially at The Meadows and their causes. In recent years I would always enjoy sitting down with him at Delaware, or at The Meadows, or wherever we'd meet along the Grand Circuit and rehash — especially those early years! I first met Mickey when I went to The Meadows as assistant racing secretary in 1976. Mickey had a barn full of horses, at that time of a cheaper variety, with a local trainer Earl Cordwell, all of which were owned in partnership with Earl. They would race their stock at The Meadows in those years and at the fairs; I think Mickey sometimes drove. As I remember, and as he told in recent years, they didn't do very well in those years but loved it! I remember they always entered and raced their horses without a problem, a quality that endeared him to me as a racing secretary. One day, as Mickey delighted in telling the story, he stood Earl at one end of that barn and Mickey walked clear to the other end to the last stall and announced they were selling everything in between and buying some good stock – which he did! He cited that moment as the start of the Burke Stable that everyone recognizes today. A complete refresh. That was before Ron and his brother Mickey Jr. were even on the scene. A decade or so later when their name first appeared in the program at The Meadowlands I told people that this was no overnight success story to be questioned; Mickey was a seasoned horseman who had paid his dues! In recent years when we would get together, Mickey would embarrass me on more than occasion, announcing to all within earshot that, "I was the best race secretary he ever raced under!" His hyperbole was appreciated; he could be as generous with his compliments as he was with his time and money. However, after I thought about it a bit, I admit that I was flattered. It certainly was a compliment well grounded. He and the Burke Brigade probably raced at more tracks on any given weekend than many other horsemen do in their lifetime. The Burke stable has redefined harness racing in the past couple decades and as patriarch Mickey deserves a sizable share of the credit along with Mickey Jr. and Ron and the entire family these days. I think in recent years, Mickey had comfortably assumed a sort of senior statesman in harness racing, taking a deep seat outside the motor home at Delaware or in the hospitality suite at the Dan Patch dinner as old friends (such as myself) and new acquaintances would make a point to stop by and visit, and Mickey would offer his opinions on the current state of racing or reminisce about his seven-plus decades in the sport, from the fairs in Pennsylvania to the highest plateaus of the Grand Circuit. I'll miss my friend especially on those occasions in the future and I want to offer my sincere sympathy to Sylvia, sons Ron and Mickey Jr., daughters Michelle, Rebecca, and Melissa and their families, members of the Burke Brigade and all of Mickey's friends throughout the industry. Many ways irreplaceable, he will certainly be missed by all. Friends will be received Friday (May 10) from 2-8 p.m. in the John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, Ltd., 2830 Main St., Beallsville, PA 15313. A mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday (May 11) at 12 p.m. at the St. Katherine Drexel Parish Richeyville campus with Rev. Michael Zavage as Celebrant. Interment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, McMurray, Pa. Mr. Burke patronized multiple charities. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, your local Food Bank, St Jude's Cancer Hospital or a charity of your choice.