SC Rewind: Years Ago - 1980s

In this week's Rewind Robert Smith issues the monthly edition of 'Years Ago ' in which he takes a look back at a certain decade and remembers a few names and happenings from back then.  This time around it's all about the decade of the 1980's.  In historical context that's pretty recent, but it's also over 40 years ago.  Also included is a Thanksgiving greeting. 

1980 - Face Mask Wins in 1:57.4

What's in a name? is a question often mentioned when discussing a horse's registered name.  Back in 1980 a horse who was racing successfully at The Meadowlands had a name that would have been quite appropriate during the era of COVID-19.  That horse was Face Mask,  a four-year-old son of Meadow Skipper.  I recently came across an account of this fellow winning a fairly high priced event at the Big M over 40 years ago. 

He paced a last quarter in better than :28 to edge Safe Arrival in the three- and four-year-old Open Handicap in late April 1980. It was a new lifetime mark for the winner who was driven by Greg Wright for the partnership of Grant, Ellerington, Dawson and Miller.  Safe Arrival cut all the rapid fractions for Herve Filion only to be caught in the final strides by Face Mask.  Can't help but wonder what inspired that name. It could have come in handy about 40 years later. 

1981 - Maritime Update 

Racing at several Maritime tracks was off to a very encouraging start in the new year of 1981.  Wagering at Exhibition Park was reportedly the highest it had ever been during the winter season (classed as December through March).  At Sackville Downs veteran Dave Pinkney the winningest driver in the history of Maritime racing with over 2,000 wins continued his hot streak.  Things were also going well at Summerside with a mile in 2:10 being recorded in the early going despite the winter temperatures.  

At Sydney's Cape Breton Sports Centre it seemed that racing there was truly a "family affair."  Doug Rankin, better known as "Sonny",  continued the torrid pace that made him the Maritimes' winningest driver for the past two seasons.  He had five winners in two cards, including a driving triple.  On that same program also younger brother Donnie came up with a triple triumph.  The fans were enjoying the action, wagering more than $47,000 for the Sunday program.  

Darlene Costello wasn't about to let the Rankin "boys" steal the show and made it known that the distaff side of the family was not to be ignored.  She guided three winners on a Thursday card.  Darlene is, by the way, a sister to Don Jr.,  Joe,  Callie and Sonny,  all considered premier horsemen in the region. If I have copied it correctly from an old Rewind, Darlene also had sisters Theresa,  Donna and Mary Lou. 

1985 - Webster Out Of Action 

Harness driver Ben Webster will  be out of action for the next six to  eight weeks following an accident at The Meadowlands according to a report issued by the U.S.T.A.  Webster, 45, was hospitalized with two crushed vertebrae and a concussion suffered at the New Jersey track on Friday, August 9. Webster, who drove last year’s Hambletonian winner Historic Freight, entered the 1985 season with 3,083 wins and in excess of $22 million in purses to his credit.  

A resident of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey,  he has won several of the sport’s top stakes including the Little Brown Jug in 1975 with Seatrain.  Some of his other top winners include: Seahawk Hanover, No Nukes, Oil Burner, and the filly Witsends Patty. His many friends and colleagues at the Big M are all wishing for a complete and speedy recovery for this popular reinsman.  

Webster, often referred to as "Benny The Whip," passed away at age 81 in 2021. 

1985 - O.S.S. Trot Finals to Lou Macs Review and Dreamer Boy 

On Nov. 1 as the curtain came down on the Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts there were no surprises in either division of the final.  In the opener Dreamer Boy, a son of Dream Of Glory was a 70 cent favourite and did not disappoint.  In rein to trainer Bill Wellwood, he front stepped his way to victory in 2:01.4, his 10th winning score in 18 season's starts.  His bank account rose to the $117,000 mark for owners Wellwood and C.A. Burns of Toronto.  

In the second division it was all Lou Macs Dream with trainer Garth Gordon also doing the driving. They made each post a winning one as the son of Dream of Glory - Ruthie trotted to the wire all alone in 2:01.3 with four lengths on their closest rival Key Arrival (Dr. Scott Anderson).  The winner upped his season's earnings to just over $102,000 for owner Walter Emond of Etobicoke, Ont. This colt was a $28,000 purchase by his current owner.  At season's end he was the fastest colt in his class with a record of 1:59 taken at Rideau Carleton. 

The Ontario Sires Stakes was then in its 12th year and continued to provide a lot of racing and earning possibilities for Ontario breds.  

1987 - Robert Walker Wins Big Event With N V Worthy 

In the 1986 Trotting Classic driver Larry Walker narrowly missed a trip to the winner's circle with his drive behind Shipps Dream.  After winning an elimination he finished second to Travelling Salesman but perhaps there was a lesson to be learned.  When the 1987 version of this annual race came around Larry's older brother Robert decided to enter a horse from his stable that he felt might have a pretty good chance for a good showing.  

Robert's entry was the good colt N V Worthy,  owned by Clarence and Norma Varcoe of Alliston, Ont.  The current hopeful raced extremely well but came up just a bit short of a first place finish,  placing second just as brother Larry had done the year previous. However, as so often happens, "racing luck" can factor into the outcome of a race.  

When the judges reviewed the finish of the race they noted that the race favourite J R Broline broke stride at the finish.  That placed N V Worthy first thus giving his connections the winner's share of the $270,000 final purse.  It was a happy gathering in the winner's enclosure at Greenwood that evening as Dr. Glen Brown presented a trophy to the owners.  

Sadly we just lost Robert Walker recently. He was a long serving member of one of the sport's best known racing families, the son of Allan and Viola and the brother of the late Jean Thibaudeau.  Brothers Larry and Paul are still very active.  He was undoubtedly named after his grandfather Robert Walker, a true horse enthusiast.  I did hear recently on good authority that part of the winning ownership of this horse Norma Varcoe is still very much with us and I hope she reads this piece.  

Photo courtesy of TROT Magazine

Quote For The Week: "Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of your life. Appreciate and never take for granted all that you have." Words of Catherine Pulsifer, author and writer from New Brunswick. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY 

I would like to wish everyone in the Rewind audience a very Happy Thanksgiving Day.  For many it is a family gathering day when people get together and enjoy some of their favorite foods and perhaps other customs associated with the season.  Our family will be celebrating the day and the occasion at our daughter's lakeside home.  We are hoping for weather warm enough to allow us to dine outside as we have at times in the past,  but the important part is just being together.  

Who Is It?

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Can you identify the individuals pictured above? Be careful with your answer (s). 

Who Else Is It? #1

Can you name both the horse and the driver? You already have a clue. 

Who Else Is It? #2

Can you name both the horse and the driver? You already have a clue.