In this week's Rewind, Robert Smith goes way back in time to 1962 and recalls a week of racing at London's Western Fair Raceway. It was the season closer. Although the track had been in existence for many years, this was just its second year of operation as a nighttime racing venue.

The following is a recreation of events from 63 years ago at London's Western Fair Raceway as the fall racing season came to a close. At that time winter racing was not yet in vogue, but the season was much longer than in previous times.

The London track became the first Ontario facility to present racing under the lights in May of 1961, so this, of course, was just their second full season. Canadian harness racing was beginning to experience vast changes and the London track was an integral part of the sport's overall growth, as it has continued to be in the years that have followed. The motto "The Friendly Track in London" has been a fitting description.

Recap of Final Week

When racing began on Monday evening, Oct. 29, 1962, it marked the final week of action for the season at London's Western Fair Raceway. The fall meeting opened on Sept. 29 and concluded Saturday, Nov. 3. The plant would then remain dark until the 1963 spring season opened for qualifiers on May 22.

A large number of horses were on the grounds for winter training and the track was extremely busy every day, with the exception of Sundays when no activity was allowed. For as long as anyone can remember, the stable of Bill and Jack Herbert was among the largest and busiest on the grounds as they prepared a number of homebred youngsters for the coming season.

It is interesting to note that, in addition to their large stable of horses they campaigned, the Herberts also ran The Brunswick Hotel in downtown London for many years. This ownership dated back to about 1935.

Pat Crowe Wins First Race of Final Week

On the evening of Monday, Oct. 29, the final week of the season kicked off with a first race win by Pat Crowe driving the trotter Lady Haw Lea in a Class C Trot for a purse of $300. They were first home in a leisurely mile of 2:17.1 over an off track. This pair were back in the winner's circle again on Wednesday evening for a repeat performance for The Haw Lea Farm of Glen Cross, Ont., owner of this five-year-old mare.

All races were of the classified variety, meaning that no claiming races were held at that time. The designations "D," "C-3," etc., through "A" were in force, as well as a few "non-winners of" categories. Purses ranged from $300 to $600, with a few higher depending on classes. The fastest mile(s) of the fall session was 2:08 and was shared by three horses — Sonny Creed (Shorty Lockhart), Billy By O (John Atmore) and Sheila F. (Herb Craig).

Featured Two-Year-Old Pace Highlights Final Week

On Monday evening, a special event for two-year-old pacers carrying the highest purse of the week at $2,500 attracted eight starters. The winner was Dapper Grattan S, owned by Reg Rollason of nearby Strathroy and handled by Marshall Moore.

The win was the youngster's third in as many tries during the fall meeting. This colt was clearly a top performer in his class, having won a division of the two-year-old Supertest Stake at Dresden earlier in the season. He took a freshman mark of 2:10 but on this evening needed only a 2:11.2 mile to beat second-place finisher Sully's Boy (Sullivan) and Princine Hanover (Neil McRann), who was third.

Indicative of the status of colt performers in the pre-O.S.S. era, Dapper banked just $3,180 for the season, racing at many small-town tracks for purses as low as $200. The season's top two-year-old pacer was Oro Lee Herbert, who also won a heat of the Supertest as well as one division of the C.S.H.S. Futurity. His best mile was clocked in 2:08.1 and his bankroll amounted to $4,485. Oro Lee was raced by Jack Herbert and owned by Jack and his father Bill Herbert.

List of Winning Drivers in Final Week

During the Raceway's final week of action, a total of 32 different drivers shared in 54 trips to the winner's enclosure, with some obvious return visits. Leading the way with five victories in the closing week was veteran teamster Marshall Moore of Sarnia. Although just 44 years of age, he had been a sulky pilot during four decades, having first driven in 1933 at a race meet in Milford, Michigan.

Listed alphabetically, with multiple wins in brackets, the winning drivers during the final week are shown as follows:
Johnny Atmore (4), Ross Blackman, Ken Bogart, Dan Campbell, Duncan Campbell (4), Jack Campbell, Frank Carnahan, Herb Craig (2), Pat Crowe (4), Dale Dufty, Orval Edwards, Bud Fritz, Wm. German, Fred Goudreau (2), Jack Heywood, Fred Hill, Ross Johnston (2), Tom Keck, Bev Kingston, Gord Kingston, George Learmont, Clarence Lockhart (2), Jiggs McFadden (3), Marshall Moore (5), J. Richardson (2), Ed Rocheleau, Fred Roloson, Vern Soper (2), Lloyd Turvey, Jim Wiener (2), Stan Williams, Orlie Wittie.

Closing Night Wrap-Up

Nov. 3, the final evening of racing for the 1962 season, saw a total of nine races — the normal schedule at that time. The feature race of the final card was a B-C1 Handicap Pace for $900, and eight starters faced the starter, Art Whitesell.

The winner was Sonny Creed, owned by the Wetherups of Oshawa and driven by Clarence Lockhart of Collingwood, Ont. Finishing second was Abbas Wick (Jiggs McFadden), with High And Mighty (Colquhoun) taking third.

The mile time of 2:08 flat was the fastest of the week and marked the 13th victory of the season for the five-year-old son of Jimmy Creed. The final contest of the evening — and of the 1962 season — went to Priscilla's Maid, driven by Stan Williams, as she recorded season win number 11, but earned only $1,350 for the year.

Quote for the Week: “Stop the habit of wishful thinking and start the habit of thoughtful wishes.” — Mary Martin

London Mini Quiz

In this week's quiz section, I have listed four old photos, all taken at the London track. They are from several years. Good luck!

#1 – This driver was a long way from his original home, but by 1966 he had been racing in Ontario for quite some time. I believe the owner (far right) resided at Brantford at this time. If you can name the driver you're all set. About a year previous to this (1965) this driver set the all-age trotting track record at London.

#2 – Sales Rep. Chuck Butler, representing Carling’s Brewery, is shown presenting a trophy to London’s leading driver at the conclusion of the 1964 meeting. Who is he?

#3 – This photo captures a lot of early history at the London track. Can you name them all?

#4 – This photo was from the 1970s. Can you name this horse and driver?

EXTRA Photo

The above photo pertains to this week's story, but it was not taken at London. Can you name at least the driver — and perhaps more?

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