SC Rewind: Years Ago – 1950s

This week's Rewind revisits some of the people and events of the decade of the 1950's in the ongoing monthly feature "Years Ago"

.

1951 - Thorncliffe Park Introduces Innovative Idea

The summer racing program at Toronto's Thorncliffe Park has featured a couple of new ideas aimed at entertaining and educating the fans as well as being a bit innovative. Prior to a headline event, the participants are brought out on the track and introduced to the crowd. Each entrant is positioned in front of the grandstand along with the driver, groom and owner and a short "sketch" about the horse is presented by the track announcer. During this short time period no warm up miles are allowed mainly as a safety precaution but also to allow the fans an uninterrupted chance to hear about each entrant. The new idea is just part of the track's attempt to promote harness racing to the metropolitan Toronto crowds. While the rural parts of the country are all fairly knowledgeable about the sport, the same may not always be said about "city dwellers". This is the second year of harness racing at this historic track.

1952 - Grey Horse Big Favourite In Quebec City

A horse that recently arrived here from Western Canada has immediately captured the hearts of all race goers at this track. The Grey Goose, a mare brought in by owner Jimmy Dunlop of Dunrea, Manitoba is believed to be the first (at least one of the first) grey horses to ever race at this track. She is so popular that race organizers are having her paraded each day for the fans to see. Her driver Andy Foster has driven her in all of her races to date but has allowed several other teamsters to take their turns in the exhibition appearances. Other western drivers such as Clarence "Sugar" Gagnon and Merv Kirkness have also shown off this fan favourite. The now 10-year-old daughter of Mac Onward has shown that she is more than "just a pretty face" already winning three races at the Quebec City track since campaigning earlier in the season out west.

1954 - Teddy Vanguard Has Productive Season

Owner Russell Bolander of Elmira and his driver Don Corbett have put together a productive season with the pacer Teddy Vanguard. Originally brought out by Grant Jackson also of Elmira, the son of Vanguard is now a five-year-old. He was a winner of just three races last season but this year has really hit his stride. In 65 trips to the post Teddy won a total of 17 heats, finished second 10 times and was third on 10 occasions. His season started early at Dufferin Park and ended up at the same track in late November. In between he made a lot of stops including as far away as Montreal. His wins came at such places as Dufferin Park, Old Woodbine, New Hamburg, Simcoe, Drayton, Lindsay, Caledonia and even one before the home crowd at the Elmira Fair. He often shared the spotlight with his stable mates such as Peter Direct L., Judy Todd and Diamond G. Despite the successful season which earned almost $2,500 for his connections, his record of 2:12 set last year was not lowered.

1957 - Wellwood Stable Ships To New York Circuit

May, 1957 - A rather large van loaded with horses and equipment recently left the winter training grounds of trainer Harold Wellwood near Stratford. The horses, grooms and equipment were all bound for Buffalo Raceway in Hamburg N.Y. The stable will remain there until late fall, splitting the season between Buffalo and nearby Batavia Downs. This year the stable has a new face on the caretaker's staff as 16-year-old Wm. "Bill" Wellwood, nephew of Harold has joined the crew. This will be an entirely new experience for the teenager as despite his familiar name in the sport, he has never been around the horses. A few of the recognizable horses that he will be involved with for this season are Rosena Chips, Maxies Chief, Royal Aileen, Dale Jingles, Part Dillon, Meadow Art, Lady K Brooke, Star Chips, Maid Mist, Crown Royal and Mr. Sitstill. Carlisle Hanover, affectionately known as "Gus", is now 12 years old and is quite possibly in his last season of racing. Owned earlier in his career by A. P. McNiven of Ecorse, Mich., he has been a standout horse for his entire career in the Wellwood stable.

In addition to his own trainees, the senior Wellwood will pick up a number of quality catch drives once the season is underway.

1959 - Campbell Horses On Long Journey Out West

December 1959 - Full brothers Argyel Duke and Argyel Sam have had quite a season and it isn't over yet. After starting the season at the one day meets in Ontario, the pair raced successfully at the Old Woodbine summer meeting. After moving on to Montreal, they apparently caught the eye of veteran horseman B. N. "Frog" Redden of Mayfield, Kentucky who persuaded owner Duncan Campbell to lease them for the balance of the season and he agreed. Then the long distance travel began as the Redden Stable campaigned at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California. With the meet's closing day on November 25th, they will remain in the Golden State until racing resumes in March at San Mateo. Although neither horse won a race on the West Coast, they both raced very well. Purses for their classes at the Hollywood Park meeting were all in the $2,500 range, a far cry from the $300 for two heats at places such as New Hamburg and Parkhill where the season started. Later in the spring they will be taking a trip back east to Roosevelt Raceway's early meeting. Back home in Ailsa Craig the Campbells rely upon the weekly results in the Harness Horse magazine as their source of updates. A full sister named Argyel Florence, who is now a three year old, has completed her first season of racing, winning four races in the process. The Campbell "boys", Duke and Sam, do have a Canadian connection with them which should stave off homesickness as veteran trainer Vic Lutman works for the Redden Stable.