In this week's Rewind Robert Smith takes a look back at the world of harness racing as it existed during the decade of the 1960's. In his monthly Years Ago feature he revisits the times from about 60 years ago.  He recalls some familiar names and happenings from back then.  The decade of the 1960's was a very exciting and prosperous time in harness racing history; many great things were happening.

1962 - "Birthday Boys" Capture Daily Double at Old Woodbine

Two young drivers at the current Old Woodbine race meeting accounted for both ends of the daily double on the July 24th card.  In the opening race the winner was Danny Wilmac, a four-year-old pacer from the MacMillan Stable of Ancaster handled by Bill Wellwood.  In the second race,  Wes Coke of Petrolia Ont. was the victor behind his own 13-year-old gelding Denny's Counsel. A crowd of 5,899 was on hand for the evening of racing. This was just the second season for racing under the lights.

Just a short time prior to this event on July 16th young Wes turned 19.  A few days later on July 24th a slightly older Wm. turned 22.  Despite their young years, each of these fellows were in charge of their own stables at this time; training and driving as well as all of the other duties involved.

Both drivers have very familiar last names as Wes's father Cecil is a veteran horseman now competing at Connaught Park.  Bill Wellwood is a third generation horseman, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Jim and his uncle Harold.  Incidentally the daily double paid $18.20; no report on whether either winning driver held a winning ticket!

1964 - Brother Hy Scores 65th Lifetime Victory

On September 19, 1964 what has to be considered a racing rarity if nothing else occurred. In the 9th race feature, an Invitation Handicap Pace, the eight-year-old Brother Hy was the winner for driver Stan Williams.  In winning, he took a new lifetime mark of 2:05.1. So far nothing too rare but the oddity creeps in when you realize this was the 65th lifetime win of his lengthy career.  "Brother" was owned for his entire career by Alex Hyatt of Petrolia, Ont. and at this time was racing out of the Stan Williams stable. Much of his career he was handled by Earl Hyatt the son of owner Alex Hyatt.

Brother Hy was one of the winningest horses of his era as he posted a huge 85 visits to the winner's circle over a lengthy racing career that spanned 10 racing seasons. During the years 1959 through 1968, he faced the starter a total of 237 times but earned just over $18,000 a sign of the low purse structure in that time of Canadian racing.

Horses like Brother Hy brought much joy to their owners and also had a great fan following. The gelded chestnut son of Brother Harmony started his racing career at age three in 1959 racing for Ken Bogart. He  was part of the opening night program when London's Western fair Raceway started night racing in 1961 winning one heat of the inaugural night's feature race.

Brother Hy pauses in the Rideau Carleton winner's circle following his 65th career victory with Stan Williams in the sulky for owner Alex Hyatt of Petrolia, Ont. Members of the Williams clan continue to be involved in the sport.  Stan's grandson Jeff Williams (son of Dale) is a current trainer on the Ontario circuit.  He spent many years honing his skills in the Bob McIntosh stable.

1968 - Super Wave Sets New Record At Richelieu Park

A Saturday night crowd of 10,034 fans at Montreal's Richelieu Park on July 20, 1968 saw the crack two-year-old pacer Super Wave set a new Canadian record for age and gait.  The youngster, owned by Dr. George Boyce a London, Ont. veterinarian, was a convincing winner as driver Jack Kopas gave the colt a flawless drive to defeat his nine rivals in the $17,750 Canadian Juvenile two-year-old stake for colts and geldings. The record of 2:01 4/5 was the fastest mile ever for a two-year-old pacer on a Canadian track at that time. 

Super Wave had to score from the tough 10th position but it did not seem to deter his winning effort.  Away rather cautiously Kopas edged up to fourth place on the backstretch and from there took control of the race as he literally coasted to the wire.  The heavily favoured Del MacTavish Sr. Stable entry of Byron Dares and Greg Hanover were installed as the betting choice and finished 2-3 behind the Shadow Wave sired colt, with Byron the only real threat. 

Fractions for the mile were 30:0; 1:01.3; 1:33.3 and the mile in 2:01.4. The record mile eclipsed the former standard established by the ill-fated Golden Blend in 1965 when that colt twice set the mark of 2:02. He first turned the trick at the Three Rivers track and later duplicated the identical time at Richelieu Park. The victory was Super Wave's sixth in eight season starts and boosted his current earnings to $14,651. 

Note: I did not ever get to meet Dr. Boyce Sr. but I have been fortunate enough to know his son Dr. Robert Boyce and I thank him for his encouragement in my attempts to chronicle the history of our sport.

Jack Kopas and the great Super Wave share a moment together. Originally purchased for $5,000 he went on to win almost $500,000 for London, Ont. owner Dr. George Boyce DVM  (U.S.T.A. photo)

1969 - Insko New Money Winning Champion

At the conclusion of the 1969 racing season a new money winning driver was crowned as Del Insko topped all reinsmen.  The then 38-year-old horseman originally from Minnesota tallied $1,635,463 in purses that year.  Born in 1931 I believe he is still with us, certainly one of the last from his glorious era.

His signature toothpick became a subject for a world class cartoonist as shown above.  Throughout his career Insko was seldom seen without the familiar "sliver of wood" clenched in his teeth.  Just think, today a piece of plastic just wouldn't cut it!

Bonus Quiz Question? - If anyone cares to identify the three people in the drawing above, go for it.

Blast From The Past

In the decade of the 1960's one day race meetings held at small town tracks were still popular.  This photo was taken during the race day at  Rodney, Ont.,  a town just west of London.  The crowd size indicates their popularity.

Quote For The Week: "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." -- Albert Einstein

Who Is It?  

Can you identify these four fellows who were the nation's top race winning drivers of the 1965 season?   This photo was taken at Roosevelt where the trophy was awarded to the gent on the far left.

Who Else Is It?  

Can you correctly identify this father and son duo in the Old Woodbine winner's circle?  They both went on to long careers in the sport and were very well known in days gone by.  Both have left us but they are still well remembered.

(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)