In this week's edition of Rewind, Robert Smith issues this month's version of "Years Ago" as he travels back in time to the decade of the 1960s. He has found some happenings and faces from way back then. It was an exciting time in the sport's history.

1960 - Rutland, Vermont Fair Discontinues Harness Racing

An early scene from the Rutland, Vermont, fairgrounds during race day.

The following is an excerpt from the New York Times in 1960:

RUTLAND, Vt. — The annual six-day Rutland County Fair, one of the most colorful [sic] in New England, will get under way here tomorrow, and the occasion will mark a sharp break with tradition. For the first time in more than 100 years, harness racing will be missing from the program.

After having staged races for pacers and trotters annually since 1846, the Rutland County Agricultural Society, sponsor of the fair, is replacing these events with exhibitions by Vermont's celebrated Morgan horses, the plucky little animals that once were the most popular breed in the United States.

The reason stated was that fans of racing had ample opportunity to attend races and also wager at two tracks fairly close by. The Saratoga track was about an hour's drive away, and a new track at Hinsdale, N.H., had just opened. Officials felt that these two tracks were attracting the better horses, and owners were no longer interested in county fair-style racing.

Note: The Rutland, Vt., fair is still in existence, now known as the Vermont State Fair since 1972.

1965 - Greenwood Drivers Honoured

At the conclusion of the 1965 spring meeting at Greenwood, the drivers' awards were handed out by Dave Heggie of Carling Breweries. On the receiving end, from left, are Ken Galbraith, George Hawke (holding the trophy), and Allan Walker.

All of the award winners received multiple gifts, including a set of racing silks along with a pair of matching red trousers. This era preceded the now-customary wearing of white driving pants. George Hawke also received a cheque for $50 for winning a leading 18 races in just his second full year of driving.

At this time, the Ontario Jockey Club, as it was then called, was a very powerful force in harness and thoroughbred racing. In 1965, for the first full season, they had a three-track circuit for trotters and pacers, as the Garden City track had opened in the fall of 1964. Racing fans no longer needed to wait for spring to come; racing was held virtually throughout the entire year.

1966 - H A Meadowland Earns Top Three-Year-Old Award

When the Canadian Trotting Association members and guests gathered for their awards night, no one in attendance was any prouder or happier than veteran horseman George Feagan of Goderich, Ont. He was called upon to receive the award for his standout pacing colt, H A Meadowland, which he co-owned with his grandson Ron. The young Feagan, just 24 years old at the time, was truly a rising star.

Ron selected H A Meadowland at an Ohio sale and partnered with his grandfather, and the colt immediately began to pay dividends as a two-year-old. In 1966, at three, he continued his fine showing, winning numerous races, including the prestigious Canadian Pacing Derby. Their travels also took them to several U.S. tracks.

On the left, George Feagan, co-owner of H A Meadowland, p, 3, 1:58.2 with his grandson Ron, receives the CTA Three-Year-Old Pacer of the Year silver tray from John J. Mooney of the Ontario Jockey Club Ltd. This award was earned during the 1966 season.

1969 - Mike Novick Jr. Wins Six Races On Opening Night At Windsor

Driver Mike Novick Jr. appears in the winner's circle following his record-setting fifth win with race winner J J Lassie. He went on to win one more and set a new record for races won on a single card. (Windsor Star photo)

On the evening of Monday, Oct. 6, 1969, Windsor Raceway opened its doors to kick off the fall and winter racing season. It was the fifth time the border oval had held a season opener since its inaugural season back in the fall of 1965.

Raceway management was so pleased to be opening a new meet that President Al Siegel decided to offer free admission as a welcoming gesture. The response was nothing short of spectacular, as a record turnout of 7,809 fans showed up. While they were understandably happy to have racing action back, most of the crowd left the premises talking about the exploits of one driver.

It was truly "Mike Novick Jr. Night," despite being totally unplanned.

Quote For The Week: "Nostalgia is just not what it used to be."

Who Is It?

Can you name this 17-year-old driver shown in the winner's circle following his first lifetime win? The year was 1961, and he would go on to many more driving victories before a career change took him to another area in harness racing.

Who Else Is It?

Can you identify this driver and perhaps the horse? This longtime horseman just passed away recently.

Where Is It?

Can you identify the province where this old haying scene was photographed?

Clue: It was on the east side of the map of Canada. Thus you have Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island as choices. Let us know where you think it was. The area has a pretty-sounding name.

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