This week's Rewind takes a look at the decade of the 1970's and some of the people and events of that era in the monthly feature "Years Ago"

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1971 - Kincardine Veteran Enjoying A Good Season

The measure of a successful season often goes far beyond the winnings column. Such is the case with veteran horseman Benny Ruttle of Kincardine, ON. He is having a "blast" with his nine-year-old mare Argyle Fanny, who took her lifetime mark of 2:09 a couple of years ago at age seven. Despite being at least 70, Mr. Ruttle does all of his own training and driving and can be found at the Hanover track most Saturday evenings. This season "Fanny" has won seven races in 27 attempts and put $848 in Mr. Ruttle's bank account. Perhaps not a lot to some folks but those of Scottish ancestry can make it stretch a little further. She spread her winning ways around, entering the charmed circle at Owen Sound twice, and under the Hanover lights once. This veteran pair also racked up double heat victories at Dungannon and Tiverton in the fair season. Ben is one of the Kincardine horsemen who helped get Dave Wall into the game. Despite his years, he certainly enjoys what he is doing.

1972 - Joeys Thought Clicking For Adler

When Marty Adler isn't doing his TV show he is likely calling the races at Windsor, or maybe he's in the races. His stable star Joeys Thought has had quite a productive and busy year making a total of 38 starts, earning just under $6,400 in '72. His first win was on New Year's day at Windsor Raceway in their very first race of the year. He went on from there to win five more and ended the season on December 27 finishing second to Strike A Beat and John Sutherland. The six-year-old son of Thoughtful out of Joannie Lee, who was raised and brought out by Calvin Maddock of Forest, ON, took his season's best of 2:06.4 on July 7 at Windsor. This was quite a reduction from his previous best of 2:10 taken last year at Dresden for the Maddock Stable. Marty was in the bike for all of his wins except one and on that occasion Michigan horseman Keith Crawford handled the driving chores. His lifetime bank tally is now $13,607.

1973 - Goderich Gets Young Announcer

Race goers at the Goderich track will hear a new voice this season. The local Turf Club headed by folks such as Benson and Jean Feagan have decided to hand the microphone to a young fellow from Wingham, ON; his name is Keith Nethery. The amazing part about his qualifications is that he is only 15 years old but already has a fairly extensive background in his chosen field. He first started announcing at age 11 starting with the Blyth pony races and has steadily gained experience whenever the opportunity presents itself. It is interesting to note that another veteran harness announcer Tory Gregg, well known throughout Central Ontario, has long been a fixture at station CKNX in Wingham. Keith credits long time race caller and MC Billy Kell with much of his inspiration to enter this field.Young Mr. Nethery has his sights set on a career in broadcasting and looks forward to this new and unique challenge. According to Harry Eisen, the long time harness racing scribe of the London Free Press, he is certainly the youngest licensed announcer in the business currently and maybe ever.

1976 - Leap Year Foals Must Play By The Rules

At least two foals arrived on February 29 this year in Ontario and both are sired by the same stallion, Scram, who stands at the Seaforth farm of Arnold Campbell. Cheryl Penny of Woodstock is the owner of one, the son of Joy Express. The other is also a stud colt out of Lilly Marlene, the property of Murray Lee of Ripley, ON. If human rules were applied, these colts would be eight years old racing against two-year-olds. However, since all horses celebrate their annual birthday on January 1 there is no advantage to being foaled on this "magical" date. The rules are pretty clear.

1977 - The Flamboro Leader Board

The Flamboro drivers standings as of August 28, 1977 are as follows:

Minimum of 80 starts required.

Driver - U.D.R.S. - Wins

Ken Webb - .370 - 37
Harold Stead - .368 - 22
Ron Hill - .350 - 24
Jack Fox - .344 - 22
Kelly Sheppard - .336 - 17
Wayne Langille - .317 - 17
Jim Muttart - .317 - 27
Ray McLean - .307 - 34
Dennis Nadon - .303 - 22
Paul Matthews - .299 - 61
Lyle MacArthur - .291 - 23
Rheal Bourgeois - .281 - 19
Terry Kerr - .278 - 11
Platt Purvis - .274 - 16