SC Rewind: Sixty Years Ago (Pt. 3)

This week's edition of 'Rewind' is a reminiscence from 60 years ago and is the third and final in a series remembering some events from the season of 1960. At this time Canada's centre of harness racing was located in Montreal at that city's two world class tracks, Richelieu Park and Blue Bonnets. All of the memories recorded here today took place at those two once famous tracks.

A series of short stories make up today's Rewind. It is sometimes difficult to imagine that only pictures, stories and memories remain from the glory days of Montreal racing.

And They're Off!

Action from opening day 1960 at Blue Bonnets as Sharp Rhythm takes the feature race for driver Percy Robillard (Photo courtesy of Montreal Gazette)

Saturday, April 16th marked the opening day at Blue Bonnets and also signalled the start of racing at the two big Montreal tracks. With spring-like conditions prevailing a crowd of 7,950 eager fans welcomed the trotters and pacers back for the long season ahead. The Saturday and Sunday crowds totalled over 14,500 and the combined mutuel handle of $615,000 was encouraging to the track management. By all measurable standards the 1960 season was outstanding.

Action on the track on opening weekend resembled mid-season form as two veteran local drivers each scored double victories. On Sunday Marcel Dostie, just back in Montreal after a short stint at Roosevelt, scored with Gear Shift in the featured Trot and also was home first with Janice Johnston who recorded the weekend's fastest mile of 2:07. The other veteran teamster who started his season off successfully was Percy Robillard with two wins on Saturday. His wins came with Slave Girl and Sharp Rhythm. In all, five miles were recorded in under 2:10 over the two cards, considered to be quite remarkable for this early in the season.

Largest Payoff In Montreal Harness Racing History

Oct. 1, 1960 - By 1960 a lot of winning mutuel tickets had been cashed at the two big Montreal tracks but none ever larger than one that occurred on this date. The Mighty Man, a nine-year-old trotting gelding won Saturday evening's 7th race and set off a light show never before seen at a Montreal track. As most bettors know the highest odds that a two-digit tote board can show is 99-1. When a horse wins at these odds it's anyone's guess what the real odds might be. In this case the payoff for a $2 win ticket was a whopping $256.70 which reflects something near a 127-1 shot! This record payoff eclipsed the old win payout of $236.00 set by a horse named L.E.M. also registered at Richelieu back in 1957.

(Montreal Gazette photo)

The odds were somewhat surprising as this old fellow had won 5 of his 21 season starts. Apparently a poor post position and a recent dry spell had turned off all but a few punters thus resulting in the mammoth odds. The Mighty Man with Roger Ponton driving turned in a magnificent performance, ending in a thrilling finish that showed five horses in a tight photo. Leaving from post eight, the winner raced well off the pace until the three-quarter mile marker when he surged to the lead and grabbed the victory. Time of the mile was 2:06.4 for the winner owned by the Sea Bee Stable of St. Laurent, Que. The quinella payout was slightly higher at $312.50. I wonder if anyone had both and if so what a nice way to spend a Saturday night!

A Dark Day In Montreal Harness Racing History

Sunday October 23, 1960 - The annual 5 mile races at Richelieu Park were usually one of the highlights of every year and in 1960 the last one of the season was an exciting contest held in front of a crowd of 4,774. The event was won by a 16-1 outsider Success Pearl, one of four trotters in the 10-horse field. Real Bardier handled the winner in a close finish over two seasoned five-milers Bannock Bay and Grattan Baker. The winner paid $34.80 and completed the distance in 12:11 which was quite amazing given the heavy going.

The post-race action was marred by a terrible incident that saw the 11-year-old pacer Casey Sullivan fall to the track about 30 seconds after finishing fourth in the race. One of the circuit's most popular performers of the past few seasons, Casey was owned by Frank Church of Cambridge N.Y. and driven in this race by Mildred Williams.

Speculation immediately began about the future of these long distance events as a number of groups had previously voiced opposition to them and many felt as though this tragedy would hasten their demise.

Mac Wil Goes Entire Season Undefeated

Seldom does a horse compete for an entire season and go undefeated, especially when racing against the best in their class. It can happen and indeed did happen in 1960 when the sensational two-year-old Mac Wil went 18-for-18 for a perfect slate in 1960. Purchased by his owner and trainer Russell Miller of Dutton, Ont. at a U.S. auction, the son of Wilmington seemed to improve as the season went on. After racing at several tracks throughout the season in his first 17 starts, the undefeated colt pacer made his first visit to Richelieu Park as he made his final start of the campaign. Keith Waples, then a mere 37-year-old was in the sulky for most of the season.

In addition to remaining undefeated another target was in his sights. Owner Miller was hopeful that his great colt could set a new track record for two-year-olds which had been set a few weeks earlier by one of his opponents in the upcoming race. In early September Meadow Don had paced over the Richelieu oval in 2:05.4 to set the current standard. Mac Wil had gone faster but at other tracks where he scored in 2:04.3 and then 2:04.2. One person who was in awe of the colt was George Giguere, Race Secretary at Richelieu. He summed up his feelings by saying "A pacer like Mac Wil comes along once in a blue moon and keeps the flame of hope burning in the heart of any breeder or buyer of yearlings."

Mac Wil did win his final start in convincing fashion to keep his season unblemished but his hopes for a new track record were not to be. Racing over a very heavy track the winner's time of 2:08.4 was well off the record. Driver Keith Waples took over the lead at the quarter pole and went unchallenged, cruising to a four-length victory. The winning end of the purse jumped Mac Wil's season earnings to $31,135. A summary of the race appearing in the Montreal Gazette stated "This colt owned by J. Russell Miller of Dutton, Ont. undoubtedly ranks as the finest youngster ever to show in Canada."

(Note - Back on December 11, 2010 an entire Rewind was devoted to the 1960 season of Mac Wil)

The Rocket Announces His Retirement

Hockey great Maurice "Rocket" Richard pays a visit to the stable of Keith Waples. It is possible the Rocket was getting some hockey advice from Keith?

Sept. 16, 1960 - One of the greatest sport's figures in Montreal history announced his retirement on this day. While Maurice "The Rocket" Richard was not officially connected to the sport of harness racing he was an avid fan and frequent visitor to both Blue Bonnets and Richelieu Park. The Rocket electrified his huge fan base for 18 seasons in a city that dearly loved its hockey and adored their heroes. Richard had been plagued by injuries late in his career and felt that the time for his retirement from the game had arrived. His on-ice presence at the Forum would now be at an end but the team had made arrangements to retain him for public relations purposes.

When Richard's long time coach Toe Blake was asked what his upcoming plans were he was quick to reply to the question "How are you going to replace The Rocket?"

"With two men," Blake answered. "We're going to ask the league if we can use seven men on the ice from now on."

Rocket Richard shown with the Stanley Cup following one of the many won during his years with Les Canadiens (Photo courtesy Montreal Gazette)

Season Ends On High Note

On the afternoon of Sunday, November 20th, the long season of harness racing in Montreal ended for the 1960 season. Blessed by splendid weather a huge throng of 9,544 were on hand to bid Au Revoir. They were not there just to watch as a record $488,905 was wagered which bettered a record set earlier this season at Blue Bonnets by some $57,000. The driving star of closing day was Claude St. Jacques, who won both feature events. He triumphed with Adios Prince and Adios Mont in the Invitation. Also scoring a double win afternoon was Real Bardier with Colby Joe and Roya Phonograph. The honour of winning the final race of the season went to Paul Radley for his victory behind Meadow Charm.

Who Is It?

Can you identify the people shown below who were all part of the 1960 season as it played out in Montreal? Each photo will carry a short description.

1. This horse and driver were long-time participants at the Montreal ovals including 1960. The task is to name the driver and the horse if you can. (Harness Horse photo)

2. George Giguere is trackside to present a blanket and trophy to this winning combination. Can you name the driver and maybe even the horse. If you get on the right track you will probably be able to describe what the occasion was.

3A: This young fellow was one of many up and coming drivers at the two big Montreal tracks in 1960. If I posted a better quality picture it might be too easy. Name him if you can. (Montreal Gazette photo)

3B: At the conclusion of the Blue Bonnets meeting on July 31 Racing secretary Lucien Bombardier (right) presented a cheque and a trophy to the meet's leading driver. This gentleman won a total of 70 races to lead a very talented colony of horsemen. The picture quality is not very good but can you identify this man? (Montreal Gazette photo)

Quote For The Week: "Oh how it hurts when some other smartie, beats us at being the life of the party."