This week's Rewind takes a look back at some of the events and people in the sport during the 1970's in the ongoing monthly feature Years Ago.

1970: J C Cameron Stable Still Winning - July 12, 1970

Smith Falls, Ont. automobile dealer J.C. "Bert" Cameron has been a frequent visitor to the winner's circle for several decades now and it looks like a good start for the 1970's. His tall imposing figure was trackside once again to collect the hardware won by his good three-year-old trotter Ezra Dnalel (Leland spelled backwards). The occasion was The Simcoe Stakes at Garden City as his homebred son of Leland Hanover - Miss Ezra bested a large field of 11 sophomore trotting colts and fillies. With veteran reinsman Jack Gordon in the sulky, the colt spent much of the mile on the outside, finally reaching the front end as they neared the wire. His winning time of 2:07 was a new season and lifetime mark for the Cameron colt and raised his season's bankroll to $12,554. If track announcer Jack Stephens seemed a little excited as the stretch drive unfolded, it was with good reason. His own entry, aptly named Stephani Stephens, trotted a tremendous last quarter and finished a bang-up second for trainer and driver Bill Wellwood.

Apparently few in the crowd felt she had a chance as the filly went off at odds of 50-1. The 6-5 favourite Crimson Duchess (Dr. John Findley) could do no better than fourth but was placed third due a lapped on break by Phil Mite. Just two weeks earlier the Ezra colt defeated a number of these same foes in winning the Supertest Stake at Connaught Park.

1971: Hanover's Eighth Season Off To A Good Start - May 8, 1971

Hanover Raceway started its 8th season of racing under the lights when Dolly Chief, locally owned by Adam Clair Ruhl of Hanover and driven by Lloyd Wagner, won the opening race on May 8. Racing will continue at this track until closing day on October 9th. The month of May saw some excellent racing and to the surprise of no one, Charlie Lawson led all drivers in the win column with six trips to the charmed circle. He also turned in the fastest mile of the month when he reined Bandmaster to a win in 2:07.3 on May 29. A few other winning drivers included George Wain, Norm Bayne, Bud Fritz, Hughie McLean, Orval Baxter, Roy Meriam, Howard Kennedy, Denny Jewitt, Bob Colvin, Frank MacDonald, Pete Thibaudeau, Herb Young, Bob Walker, Larry Fitzsimmons, Mike Schaefer, Roy O'Hagan, Bob Lackey, Clarence Lockhart, Wayne Dupee, Jack Duck, Bob Scrannage, Ken Ellis and Ron Bannerman.

A young driver who is making his presence felt here is Paul Walker, the youngest of three driving sons of Allan and Viola Walker of Allenford. He recently scored a win behind J J's Delight in the $600 Invitational Pace. He is also having a good year with Josedale Royal Pal, a venerable old trotter now 14 years of age with a career bankroll of over $31,000. Current owner Allan Walker, Paul's father, secured this horse at age nine after his early years of racing in Illinois and Indiana. He has a most unusual resume in that he did not win a race until age six when he took his lifetime mark of 2:08.2 in his first lifetime win which was his only victory that season. Despite his later successes over a 10 year career, this mark was never bettered. In the 1971 season under Paul's guidance, the old fellow finished 1-2-3 in 30 of his 45 starts, good for a shade under $4,500.

1973: John Ferguson's Hockey Team

Former N.H.L'er John Ferguson, who is now in private business as well as being a horse owner, believes that harness drivers benefit from being in good shape. He has organized a team of drivers from the Blue Bonnets track and they are currently playing in a Montreal Industrial league where they are undefeated in their first five games. Included on the team are brothers Wayne and Leslie Turcotte, Serge Grise, Michael MacDonald, Pierre Lacharite and Claude Patry. MacDonald, a P.E.I. native, leads the team in scoring.

While the statistics are not official, Ferguson believes that the "boys" driving successes have picked up since the hockey season started because they are in better physical condition. While "Fergie" is not a regular player, he must participate in at least three regular season games to qualify for the playoffs. That should give the team quite a boost when he suits up. One of the team's main sponsors is Mrs. Cecile Pepin of the Pepin Harness Shop.

1975: Sudbury Downs Readies For Second Season - May 1975

Sudbury's second season of operation is all set to start on Wednesday, June 11th. (At right, Driver Jim Wallace and Pink Panther appear in the winner's circle after winning the first ever race at Sudbury Downs in 1974.)

"Boots" Frame, serving as Race Secretary, is the man in charge. Racing will be held three nights each week, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday through to September 6 with post time set at 7:30. Each Saturday an Invitational sponsored race will be carded and carry a purse of at least $3,000. The highlight of the summer session will be the Nickel Plate Pace for a purse of $16,000 to be held on Saturday, August 16. This race is certain to draw an outstanding field of some of the best horses in the Province. Track management at Sudbury Downs have announced that a minimum purse of $400 will be guaranteed. A few of the weekly Invitational sponsors are Empire Motors, Campbell Chevrolet, President Hotel, Vaillancourt Motors, Star Bottling and numerous other local businesses.
An advertisement for the Raceway read "Sudbury Downs offers the finest facilities to the horsemen and we extend this invitation to come and spend the summer with us." Boots Frame.

1977: Inaugural Confederation Cup Held - September 3, 1977 - Flamboro Downs

On this afternoon, a huge page of history was added to the annals of Flamboro Downs as the first ever Confederation Cup was held. Blessed by ideal weather with the temperature at 78 degrees, the afternoon's racing was superb and drew a crowd of 3,720 spectators. On the grounds were most of the finest three-year-old pacers from both sides of the border. A large field of 11 starters necessitated two eliminations prior to the final, each for a purse of $21,750. In the first prep race, the eventual overall winner Governor Skipper was home first in record time for driver Johnny Chapman. The pair negotiated the Flamboro half miler in 1:57.4 to establish not only a track record but also the fastest ever on a half-mile oval in Canada. In the second elim the competition was so fierce that a dead heat between Candid Camera and driver Doug Arthur and River Captain piloted by John Campbell resulted. The second mile went in a much slower 2:00.2. When the eight qualifying horses lined up for the final which carried a purse of $ 29,000, driver Chapman immediately took the lead which he held throughout the mile. His superiority was challenged by Candid Camera but the U.S. invader prevailed at the wire a winner in 1:58.2 by a scant half-length.

It was a great afternoon of racing which was televised across the land. The winning driver, who started his career in Canada but had been racing on the U.S. side for the past three decades, used the visit to spend time with his two brothers, both of whom occupied unique roles in the world of racing. His brother Cliff Jr. "Chappie" was the editor and owner of The Canadian Sportsman while brother Carl was a long time trainer of thoroughbreds. Later that season Governor Skipper went on to win The Little Brown Jug in the record time of 1:56.1, erasing the former mark set in 1972 by Strike Out, another horse with Canadian connections.