In this week's edition of Rewind Robert Smith revives some names, faces and events from the decade of the 1980's in the monthly feature Years Ago. In a slightly different twist, each item is based on a front cover photo from the once very popular Ontario based magazine The Standardbred. Editor and publisher Barbara (Waples) Lennox operated this first-class journal for many years, keeping those in the business well-informed.

1983 - Armbro Acton Sets New Track Record at Mohawk

The winner's circle following the track record by Armbro Acton. Holding the horse is groom Steve Hoffman. Joining driver Garth Gordon (on his right) are Nick Comegna, owner Bruno Comegna, his daughter Lucy Comegna, Barb Perry, Doug McKay and Bob Fox at the far left.

In 1983, Mohawk Raceway observed its 20th anniversary. During that time span race times became dramatically lower as horses just naturally went faster and faster. On the evening of Sunday, September 11 that year, a new all age pacing record was set when Armbro Acton stopped the timer in 1:54.4. The winning driver was 39-year-old Garth Gordon a native of Cobourg, Ont.; the elated owner was Bruno Comegna of Burlington. The record-setting performance came in a Free For All Handicap event with a purse of $14,000.

The new speed tab took a full second off the existing standard set by Direct Scooter back in 1980.

Armbro Acton was purchased in 1980 from the Armstrong consignment by a relative newcomer Bruno Comegna who had just recently entered the owner's ranks. He made his first yearling purchase at the CSHS sale a four-day affair then held where the Royal Winter Fair is staged. Highly recommended by John Drennan (who worked for the Armbro outfit), Comegna -- a drywall contractor from Burlington -- shelled out $20,000 for the youngster and placed him in the Garth Gordon stable. Unraced at two, he emerged as a star in the O.S.S. ranks as a three-year-old and in the process set new track records at both Barrie and Windsor. One of his main adversaries at times was unfortunately the virtually unbeatable Cam Fella. He did race against him and finished second in a big Montreal race.

In 1983 at age four he started the year off well with early victories at The Meadowlands in Open competition but then suffered a broken splint bone which sidelined him for several months. Following a layoff he returned to his previous form and after finishing second to Perfect Out at Greenwood in a then track record of 1:54.3, he set a record of his own at Mohawk. This record stood for a couple of years. Garth Gordon recalls that immediately following the record-setting mile, Dr. Glen Brown approached him in the paddock to offer a congratulatory handshake and his best wishes. A touch of class associated with the Armbro operation. This speedy mile was the fastest winning ride to date for driver Gordon, who won his first race back in 1961 in Montreal.

Left: Armbro Acton, a four-year-old son of Horton Hanover glides to victory for driver Garth Gordon setting a new all age pacing track record of 1:54.4 at Mohawk. Cover dated Sept. 14, 1983. Right: Driver Dave Wall driving Rosey Dawn (1B) flashes a smile to fellow pilot Terry Fritz (1) as he gets a slight advantage to win the Ontario /Quebec Challenge race with stablemate Tommys Becky in action at Greenwood Raceway.

1983 - Wall Stable Doubles Up To Win At Greenwood

The victory pictured above gave the Wall stable both of the top money spots in the $50,000 event and also rewarded the young driver with his biggest career win to date. The mile time of 1:58 represented the fastest mile ever for a rookie filly pacer at Greenwood up to that time and tied her with Armbro Vibrant 1979 at Windsor and Fan Hanover in 1980 at Mohawk. Ironically the pre-race favourite Annie Ivy finished fourth with Bud Fritz, Terry's father at the controls. Cover dated Aug 31, 1983.

Following the race Tommys Becky's owner Morris Weber received a large trophy and plaque commemorating the occasion which was presented by Ontario Jockey Club Publicity Director Herman Burghouts.

Colts and fillies trained and driven by Dave Wall have fared very well over the years in O.S.S. and other contests for juvenile performers.

1984 - On The Road Again Wins The Cane

Buddy Gilmour driving On The Road Again (2) holds off a late charging Holmes Hanover (4) and Carmine Abbatiello in winning the richest-ever Cane Pace final at Yonkers Raceway. In between horses is third place finisher Farmsteads Fame for Billy Haughton. The winning time for the Happy Motoring colt was 1:56.4 which established a stakes record and gave the Gordon and Illa Rumpel owned speedster his ninth win in twelve starts. Thanks to their share of the $600,000 purse OTRA's season's earnings went past the $450,000 mark. Cover dated June 20, 1984.

Like many horses OTRA had an interesting story; much too long to be told here beyond a couple of lines. For Mr. Rumpel, who had been only been in the racing business for four short years, this was his first ever yearling purchase. He shelled out $10,000 in January of 1982 for an unnamed 10-month old weanling who eventually became this great horse. Besides his breeding, the youngster's chestnut colour appealed to the Calgary-based automobile dealer.

This horse was one of the most exciting performers of the decade and provided racing fans with thrilling performances wherever he raced. Trained by Harry Poulton and driven by Hall of Famer Wm. "Buddy" Gilmour he gathered a huge following across the Continent. Gilmour spoke of OTRA in glowing terms saying "This is the best colt I have ever driven." Quite high praise for a man who was just a few wins short of 5,000 for his career at this time.

1985 - Nadirs Pride Off To A Great Start

​The petite trotting filly Nadirs Pride with Robert Walker in the bike trots home a winner in 2:02.4 at Flamboro Downs to set a new Canadian record. Cover dated Aug. 15, 1985

By mid-year 1985 owner Eugene Forbes of Walkerton already knew that he had something special in his newest performer. After paying just $6,000 for Nadirs Pride as a yearling he had great confidence in her future. Although she was sired by a pacing star named Armbro Nadir and out of the pacing mare Native Sister, the youngster wanted only to trot. Forbes was quoted as saying "I knew she was going to be a trotter; she's built exactly like a good trotter should be."

By early August, racing under the guidance of trainer driver Robert Walker, Nadirs Pride had set new records for a two-year-old trotting filly at both Greenwood (2:02.3) and at Flamboro's half-miler stopping the timer at 2:02.4. The Flamboro effort wiped out the previous best set by Delmegan five years earlier. In her first seven lifetime starts the trotting phenom had already returned her purchase price several fold with $65,562 in her newly opened bank account.

The name of Eugene Forbes was very prominent during these years as an owner of a number of highly successful performers in O.S.S. and other colt races, most often racing for Wm. "Bud" Fritz, also from Walkerton. His great pacing filly Silver Reign was voted into the Hall of Fame just a few years ago. Mr. Forbes passed away in 2011.

The decade of the 1980's was an exciting time in Canadian harness racing history.