In this week's Rewind Robert Smith recalls a couple of famous old Match Races held in Montreal; one at Blue Bonnets, the other at Richelieu Park. Many were held in the Province years ago.

Late in the 1957 season the racing officials at Blue Bonnets in Montreal decided to entertain the fans with something a little different. On the afternoon of Sunday October 25, a special match race was staged that pitted two young trotting sensations, both three-year-olds. A local favourite and the Quebec champion Mr. Baldridge had thrilled fans all season long winning 12 of his 13 starts for owner Laurent Bourgon and driver Phil Dussault. He had also logged the Canadian record for three-year-olds trotting in 2:06.2. Despite his underdog status, many felt he could win the match based on his experience on the local track. Facing him was the wonderfully bred and highly talented Hoot Song.

Hoot Song was a filly, U.S.-owned and bred, and she had recorded all of her starts on home soil. Her time of 2:03.2 was a world record on a half-miler and she had already banked $110,000 this season. She did however have a strong Canadian connection and that was her trainer and driver Ralph Baldwin. A native of Lloydminster, Sask., Baldwin was among the absolute finest horsemen to ever sit behind a horse. He had begun his career in Western Canada with his father and later travelled East, wintering at Toronto's Dufferin Park at times. When World War II broke out, he enlisted and served a distinguished career in the Canadian Infantry. Following his discharge he soon moved to the U.S. where he furthered his career.

At this time the path to success often involved being hired by a large breeding farm and training and racing the farm's output. Mr. Baldwin was employed by the successful Two Gaits Farm of Indianapolis, Indiana which was owned by Leo McNamara, who was also a long-time office holder in the U.S.T.A.. At this time the Two Gaits Farm was a very prominent outfit, involved in both racing and breeding activities.

The big match race was presented as a non-betting affair with a 'Winner Take All' purse of $10,000. The huge Sunday crowd was partial in their support of the local horse but most were happy to get a glimpse of a world champion. The filly immediately took the lead and was never really seriously challenged as driver Baldwin cut out some impressive fractions. At the quarter in :31.2, the half in 1:02.2, at the 3/4 pole in 1:34 he coasted home a winner in 2:06.3. It was just a tick off of the record set earlier by her opponent. Track officials were amazed at the time of the mile as heavy overnight rains had dulled the track considerably, perhaps by as much as 3 seconds. At the 3/4 pole, driver Dussault made his move in an attempt to overtake the pace setter but once within a half length, Baldwin opened up a considerable lead as he breezed to the wire a comfortable winner.

At the conclusion of the day the two contenders were headed in very different directions. This appearance marked the final lifetime appearance by Hoot Song as she was being retired to become a broodmare at the Two Gaits Farm. Mr. Baldridge on the other hand was literally just starting out on his racing career as an aged performer. He of course went on to many years of track successes in the ownership of the famous Miron Bros. including a couple of Maple Leaf Trot victories and later became a noted sire.

Ralph Baldwin driver of match race winner Hoot Song is shown here in a pre-race pose. He is a member of both the U.S. and Canadian Hall of Fame (Hoof Beats)

Saratoga Meets Adage - September 21, 1947

In the fall of 1947 the largest and most publicized match race in Quebec history took place at Richelieu Park in Montreal. As most big events were, it was held on a Sunday afternoon. While most of the rest of the racing world sat idle on the Sabbath, Quebecers invariably enjoyed their biggest day of the week at the track. At this time Richelieu raced just two days a week, Saturday and Sunday.

A view of a large Sunday crowd at Richelieu Park years ago. (Harness Horse photo)

A crowd estimated at 20,000 filled every imaginable spot within the confines of Richelieu Park on Sunday afternoon to watch what was billed as the most famous match race ever held in the Province of Quebec. It pitted two of the absolute best horses racing at the time. Saratoga, a seven-year-old had a race record of 2:03 and was owned by Jacques Beaudoin and Laurent Bourdon. Adage, a nine-year-old, had a record of 2:02 and he was the property of Mr. J.R."Rosaire" Rivard of Montreal.

The management of Richelieu put up a purse of $2,000. Added to that was an unbelievable $10,000 each by the two owners for a total purse of $22,000. This obviously was a gigantic amount of money at the time and was a true reflection by each owner of just how good they thought their respective horses were.

The race was so important that safeguards not normally taken were put into place. Detectives were employed by the track and they watched over the horses the entire week leading up to race day. Additionally a number of Racing Stewards were brought in from elsewhere to oversee the race. Among the noted racing personalities were Wm. Lawrason of Toronto -- the Secretary of the CTA, Earl "Katzie" Katzmier from New Hamburg, Ont. -- the organizer of the Can. Pacing Derby, Clifford R. Bradley -- a noted official at Dufferin Park and Harold Wickes -- manager of Dufferin Park track in Toronto.

The race itself was set up as a three-heat affair with the winner having to take two heats. Driving Saratoga was Honorat "Harry" LaRochelle, perhaps the top horseman of the Province. Handling the driving chores behind Adage was Phillipe Dussault, also an excellent all-around trainer and driver. A rather serious accident the day previous almost sidelined Dussault but he chose to ignore the Doctor's advice and fulfilled his driving assignment admirably.

In the first heat, Saratoga took an early lead and was never headed. A swift mile was recorded in 2:06 flat with Adage just half a length back at the finish. In the second heat, which turned out to be all Saratoga required, a much different scenario played out. Once again Saratoga took the lead and this time chose a leisurely pace until the three-quarter pole when Adage attempted to take the lead. Saratoga maintained his position and at the end of the mile in 2:16.4 he was a 3/4-length victor. Phil Dussault, who had trained and driven Adage throughout the season, was highly praised for his efforts in a losing cause. Honorat LaRochelle probably won more match races than any other driver, but this is just a supposition on my part, not a statistic.

As a footnote to this day it is interesting that one week later, Saratoga again was engaged in a match race. This time it was at the Quebec City track. On this day he engaged a trotter, a horse named Provident. He again prevailed but it took three heats as he was defeated in the opener but came back in the next two to claim the victory. Some might say he was better than all pacers and trotters racing that year in Quebec.

Further to this (which might prove that match races don't decide everything) both Saratoga and Adage were "also-rans" in the year end Quebec Pacing Derby, the Grand Finale of the season. This time the winner was Highland Frisco, another stalwart performer of that era. During this time period, many fast pacers were racing in the Province and provided a lot of great races which were seldom decided by a horse other than those in Quebec ownerships.

I wonder how a match race might play out in the current era of racing?

Driver Honorat Larochelle, who competed in numerous Quebec match races, is shown here receiving one of the many trophies he won over the years. This photo was taken at Bay State Raceway. On the left is Edwin Keller, Race Secretary. and Manager Paul Bowser on the right. (Harness Horse)