In this week's Rewind, Robert Smith takes a look back at some of the events and people in the sport during the decade of the 1940s in the ongoing monthly feature Years Ago.

1940 - Track Record Falls Twice At Pembroke Meeting

August 5, 1940 - A crowd estimated at 4,000 were on hand to witness a new track record at O'Kelly Park and it was set and soon broken. The existing record of 2:10 1/2 was bettered by Effective, a horse from the string of Dr. Mahlon Locke of Williamsburg, Ont., a world renowned foot doctor. His time of 2:10 flat was barely etched in the record books when another star from the same stable again lowered it. The eight-year-old roan mare Lily Part stopped the timer's watch in 2:09 3/4 in taking the Free For All.

Both record breakers were driven by Pem Caldwell, who has been handling the Locke horses for the past six years. He comes from a racing family as his father, Harry Caldwell of Iroquois, Ont., is a very well known harness driver as well.

Entries from both Ontario and Quebec were on hand and were blessed by beautiful August weather. The starter for the day was Art Blade of Ottawa. Several other attractions entertained the large crowd between heats. The heavy work horse class drawing matches were won by entries owned by George Zadow, Consolidated Paper and Thos. Clouthier. In a thrilling tug of war contest, the employees of the local Eddy Match Co. were the victors after defeating teams from Consolidated Paper Co. as well as the local Military camp.

The day's racing was staged by The Pembroke Driving Club headed by Thos. McCool, Dr. J.R. Pounder and C.S. Campbell. Funds received in excess of expenses were donated to the Pembroke Red Cross branch. Observers were certain this was the best racing program ever held in this Town of 10,000. At the end of the day's proceedings, supplies of both soft drinks and ice cream bars were non existent.

1944 - New Track unveiled at Earlton, Ont.

Aug. 9, 1944 - What is undoubtedly the newest track in the Province opened on this date with a crowd of upwards of 3,000 fans in attendance. The track itself is already in excellent shape and is a full half-mile around with a width of 60 feet and completely level. Three races each consisting of three heats highlighted opening day, with close finishes in nearly every contest.

The first track record belongs to Imperial Grattan and driver Lucien Leblanc, who stepped the opening heat of the Free For All in 2:09. This old campaigner is owned by the Paiement Bros. who also own the new track called Chateauguay. Based on the success of the opening day and the number of phone calls received shortly after, it is expected that more race days will be scheduled in the near future, undoubtedly on Labour Day.

Both Una Henley and Birdie Dale were impressive double heat winners for owner Jas. Brown of New Liskeard with his brother Bruce doing the driving. Harness racing is quite popular in this region of Northern Ontario right near the Quebec border. Officials for the day included Gordon Martin serving as starter with judges being Jack Maille of Earlton and Ed Wilson of Kirkland Lake.

1946 - Cars On The Track at Strathroy

July 1, 1946 - Dating back to 1919, when the now famous 'Dominion Day Picnic' meetings were first held, the races have never been cancelled due to rain. That record was almost broken today as a huge downpour delayed the opening heat by a couple of hours. As a crowd of 9,000 anxious fans watched and waited, the racing officials finally announced that the afternoon would proceed as the track was pronounced as 'ready'. A group of drivers soon stormed the judge's stand and lodged a protest, claiming the racing surface was not safe. After a short "huddle" among the organizers headed by Chairman Harold Currie, a solution was announced. Announcer Tory Gregg asked for volunteers from the crowd to drive their cars on the track. Several autos soon entered the race course and began to circle in an attempt to dry the surface. This solution seemed to work and the races went on with a much later post time and did not conclude until 8:15 that evening.

The day's fastest clocking was turned in as 2:14, certainly a decent time for the conditions. A write up in the London Free Press carried the headline "This marked the first time in History that Automobiles and not Pacers Started Off The Strathroy Races." This great race day continued without interruption until 1964 when the final 'picnic' was held.

1948 - Special Night For Canadians at Batavia

Sept. 8, 1948 - A contingent from the Royal Canadian Navy's Toronto division was on hand at Batavia Downs this evening. In addition to enjoying the races, the commanding officer was called trackside to make a special presentation. As luck would have it, a Canadian-owned horse won the featured race. Hi Duke owned and trained by Lloyd Cummiford of Delhi, Ont. and driven by Vic Rowntree was first home in the special race. Mr. Rowntree was a popular figure for many years at both U.S. and Canadian tracks, ending his career as a racing judge. His grandson (and namesake) Vic Gould followed in his steps as a long-time participant in the sport both as a starter and judge.

Driver Vic Rowntree smiles his approval following a victory behind Hi Duke at Batavia Downs. Members of the Toronto and Rochester, N.Y. naval offices appear in the winner's circle. Second from left is John Maas, Batavia Gen. Mgr. and on the far right is Frank Van Lare, Vice mayor of Rochester.

1949 - Great Day of Racing at Exeter

July 20, 1949 - Harness racing fans in this area located some 30 miles north of London were treated to a special program of racing on this day. The afternoon's events included five races; three were of the three-heat variety, the others were two-heat contests. A total of 35 horses were entered, a sure sign that racing is regaining its popularity.

In a special race for three-year-olds, seven colts and fillies went postward for a purse of $500. In the opener, Barry Herbert, owned by Jack and Bill Herbert of London and driven by Bill, scored in a swift 2:13.4 for the fastest of the three heats. However they had to settle for second place in the next two. Little Bill, a Corporal Lee gelding owned and driven by Duncan Campbell of Ailsa Craig, went on to two straight wins and the overall victory.

In the much anticipated Free For All Pace, local favourite Amber Grattan 2nd was a three-heat winner for owner Tom Yearly of Exeter and driver Lloyd Turvey, with one win ending in a dead heat. In the opening skirmish, the Yearly-owned horse and the gray Silver Peter 2nd, owned by Eric McElroy of Grand Bend, were inseparable at the wire. They were just a whisker ahead of Dixie Lee Hy (Marshall Moore). After a long debate, the judges declared a 'Dead Heat'. The time of this thrilling race was a sparkling 2:08 2/5 which is believed to be a new track record for the Exeter oval. Other winning drivers included Harry List, Jiggs McFadden and Bob Kirkby.

All of the participants were appreciative of the generous purses offered which totaled $2,100 for the five races. (Note: Thanks to the magic of the Internet's calculation powers, the 2015 value of a $500 purse is stated to equal $4,871.62.)

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone in the reading audience!