Role []
He was inspired by real life newsboy Ed "Race Track" Higgins.
Character[]
1992 Movie[]
"A boy's hand shoots some dice -- it belongs to RACETRACK
HIGGINS, an Italian beanpole, who's gambling with THREE OTHER BOYS."
― Newsies screenplay, May 1991.[1]
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"Racetrack Higgins is a veteran at the Newsboys’ Lodging House. Having lived there most of his orphaned life, he is never spotted without his cigar and is always cracking jokes."
― Newsies Broadway trading cards, 2012 [2]
Appearance[]
Racetrack is a brunette, although his hair is so dark that when it's slicked back for special occasions, it appears to be black. Race is fifteen years old and has what most would call a “babyface”. Cherubic cheeks, thin lips, and wide brown eyes make him seem younger than what he actually is. Race breaks the mold a little bit by adding his own flair to the typical dress; the plain old vest is replaced with a dark tartan vest – reminiscent of an upperclassman, complete with an old golden pocket watch – and matching plaid pants, and the sleeves of his button-down shirt puffier than most. He still sports the newsboy cap and the dirty shoes, but his overall look is that of a scruffy gentleman. When Race dresses formally, it’s not a whole lot different; he dons one of those old-style jackets, a nicer and darker vest, and a bowtie.
Back Story[]
Born in 1885 to the birth name Antonio Higgins. He was born in New York and was raised by his brother until Antonio was 4. At this age Antonio’s brother left him one day out of the blue. We believe this was to pursue, a career. After he was left for the streets, he became a newsie, staying in the newsboy lodging home. There he met his friend Albert. Albert was seven at the time and was the one who first gave him a cigar and call him Racetrack. No one knows why but it stuck. Now Racetrack is never seen without his cigar.
Gallery[]
