In this week’s Rewind, Robert Smith travels well back in time to recall the way things were some 60 years ago. He remembers that race times were slower back then and the goal was always to try to record a winning mile in two minutes or less. It was the aim of everyone for a very long time. He has also included a special greeting to all mothers in the reading audience.

Sixty years ago, which was 1966, most Canadian racing fans had yet to experience the joy of seeing their first sub-2:00 mile; then often referred to as a “Miracle Mile.” Likewise, most Canadian-based drivers shared that same aspiration. After all, harness racing in the province of Ontario had yet to record a winning mile time under the elusive two-minute barrier. To that point in time, all of Canada had just nine such miles on record, and all were in Quebec.

Not all that many years ago, a horse or a driver recording a winning mile time in 2:00 or less was cause for celebration. It was customary for the racing journals to run a story after the year’s end, listing all of the drivers (and horses) who had turned in a “Miracle Mile” in the previous year.

Shown below is such a list, with a bit of commentary that included the lineup of Canadian-based or Canadian-born drivers who turned the “trick” in 1966. This list is in no particular order.

Ron Feagan — The 24-year-old native of Goderich, Ont. scored his first career sub-2:00 mile at Vernon Downs with his own H A Meadowland, with a clocking in 1:58.2. His grandfather, George Feagan, was co-owner of this U.S.-bred youngster.

Bob Silliphant — Then a resident of Brantford, Ont., formerly of Rapid City, Man. (north of Brandon), he recorded his first-ever two-minute mile behind Lynden Dodger, scoring in 2:00 at DuQuoin, Ill. This was quite a feat, as this horse was just a two-year-old.

The trip to DuQuoin was mainly for the purpose of racing in that year’s Hambletonian. Since the Webster Stable was travelling with space in the trailer, it was decided to take the colt along for the ride. The result was far more than expected, I’m sure.

Armbro Gazelle, the Webster Stable’s Hambo entrant, had a 6-4 standing and thus earned $6,064. That year’s winner of the trotting classic was the filly Kerry Way, who won both heats in under two minutes with Frank Ervin driving.

Roger White — White, who was then 35 years of age, had three record miles with two different horses, Timely Knight and Ack Ack (2). Timely Knight recorded his speedy mile in the U.S., while Roger guided Ack Ack to two sub-2:00 scores that season, both at Blue Bonnets.

In total, just three “Miracle Miles” occurred on Canadian soil in 1966, the two by Roger White and one by Bret Hanover. That race does not make this list, as his driver was Frank Ervin, who was U.S.-born and always did most of his racing there.

Jimmy Larente — Good Time Boy, the fabulous pacing machine, supplied the Quebec-born Larente with no less than seven sub-two-minute miles in 1966. This horse became part of Ontario’s racing history the following year, as Larente came back to Canadian soil from his U.S. base to win the 1967 Canadian Pacing Derby at Greenwood and, in the process, record the province’s first-ever sub-2:00 score.

Joe O’Brien — Maritimer O’Brien, who had been racing almost exclusively on the U.S. side for many years, made the list with Armbro Flight, Near Me, Adios Alice, Blaze Byrd, King Noble, Paper Boy and Red Wave.

O’Brien had a proverbial “leg up” on most of his fellow drivers, as he was always in demand as a catch driver at the Red Mile in Lexington when the annual time trials were held each fall.

Wm. “Bud” Gilmour — The Ridgeway, Ont. native, who was then just 33 years of age, achieved his 2:00 score with Nibbles Bonny. This record of 2:00 flat was taken over the Syracuse mile track.

Earle Avery — This New Brunswick horseman had High Level and Goodnuff for his two on the list. In his many years as trainer and driver for the powerful Woolworth Stable, he racked up many miles under two minutes in later years.

Jack Sherrin — Paper Boy put this driver on this coveted list during 1966.

Johnny Chapman — Tactile put Toronto-born Chapman on the “Miracle” list.

Lucien Fontaine — Pocomoonshine made the list for this talented driver who came out of the Clint Hodgins “driving school.” After starting his career in Quebec and rising to be a star at both Richelieu Park and Blue Bonnets, he moved to the U.S. and stayed.

Benoit Cote — Tarport Boy gave this Quebec reinsman two “Miracle Mile” drives in 1966.

Glydon Willis — Carbon Copy provided his winning drive.

In summary, 12 native Canadian drivers scored a grand total of 32 miles in 2:00 or less during the year of 1966.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

Today is a very special day; way too important to let slip by without showing some praise and recognition to all of our wonderful mothers.

Back in 2010, when I devoted a Rewind column to Mother’s Day, I wrote the following passage:

I recently came across a horse (actually a mare) called Mothers Day. I would be surprised if there hasn’t been more than one over the years, as names do seem to recur. As luck would have it, she was bred and owned by the legendary Clifford “Chappy” Chapman Jr., the man best remembered for doing just about everything in Canadian harness racing. He will forever be linked to the beloved Canadian Sportsman publication.

The bay daughter of States Attorney did her racing around the late 1950s era. I have no way of knowing, but suspect she may have been foaled on a certain Sunday in May, maybe the second. Buried deep within some records of yesteryear, I am sure the answer rests.

Following publication, a lady familiar with this aptly named horse sent in the following comment:

"I have just read your article on Mother’s Day and have come to realize that this mare was actually Mother’s Day C, a broodmare that my father had. When we came to acquire her she was blind due to a racing accident. She went on to have three foals by a trotting stallion, Ronald Hanover, that was also owned by my father, Dan Alfred Mac Donald from Port Hood, N.S. The resulting foals were Ronalds Son, Mothers Joy and Senator Dan. Despite the fact that she was blind, she was a very good, kind and gentle mother, never stepping on any of the foals and always knowing where they were at all times."
— From Eileen Beaton

Mother’s Day Photo Quiz

As a tribute to the many wonderful people who have been mothers, as well as fulfilling other roles in harness racing, I have chosen a few special pictures for your viewing (and perhaps guessing) pleasure.

#1 — Here we have a very well-known Canadian racing family. Both ladies pictured have left us, but they were both mothers and their sons and daughters remain. Who is it?

#2 — It is not easy to find mother-and-son photos, but this is a good one. Who do we have here?

#3 — This old photo of a mother and two of her five children attending a day at the races (old style, from the background) is a favourite of mine. Can you tell us who they are? Their last name is still very familiar.

#4 — The lady in this picture provided a rather unique gift to harness racing as a mother. Who is she?

#5 — Can you correctly identify this mother-and-son photo taken a very long time ago? There is a clue as soon as you look at the picture.

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

I would like to send out a very special greeting to the most wonderful group of people in the world... mothers. While this day is set aside to honour our mothers in a special way, whether still living or passed on, we should remember them every day. Whatever in life each of us has become, we undoubtedly owe our mother a huge debt of gratitude. How often have we heard the quote, “My mother always said...” and, strangely enough, she was probably right.

Quote For The Week: “Horse sense is what a horse has that keeps him from betting on people.”  — W. C. Fields