In this week's edition of Rewind, Robert Smith takes another trip back in time to 1986, 40 years ago, and recalls a few of that year's highlights. He has included some old related photos to add to the stories. This is the second and concluding portion of a two-part Rewind.
A Few of the Year's Big Races
The 1986 Pepsi N.A. Cup was indeed one of the most exciting races of the season, held at Toronto's Greenwood Raceway. The winner shown above was Quite A Sensation, with Trevor Ritchie driving, owned by the very small stable of Clair and Linda Porter of Ailsa Craig, Ont. The victory was achieved in thrilling fashion as the winner prevailed over the heavily favoured Amity Chef and driver John Campbell.
Amity Chef took the first elim in 1:56 event, with Nobleland Sam winning the second. In the final, Quite A Sensation narrowly nipped Amity Chef, with both horses timed in an identical 1:54.2. The winner was lightly backed by the betting public and paid a whopping $63.50 for a $2 win ticket.
Canadian Pacing Derby
The 1986 Canadian Pacing Derby was a memorable one. Witsends Gypsy was a two-heat winner for owner Tony Chiaravalle and trainer Bill Robinson. Details of the race are shown below.
Witsends Gypsy and driver Larry Walker winning the 1986 Canadian Pacing Derby at Greenwood.
Breeders Crown Highlights
This very new series was in just its third year of competition. Introduced in 1984, it quickly became the sport's most coveted award and drew the top horses in each and every division. In the 1986 version, the number of divisions increased from 10 to 12, with the addition of the Open Mare Pace and Trot. The original slate in 1984 had just eight in total.
In the 1986 edition, the series was spread over nine tracks in the U.S. and Canada. Four of the races were held at Garden State Park, with one at each of the following tracks: Pompano Park, Rosecroft Raceway, Canterbury Downs, Freehold, Greenwood Raceway, Scioto Downs, Los Alamitos and Louisville Downs.
Canadian-born drivers completely dominated in wins, as they scored victories in 10 of the 12 events. Winning drivers were Bill Gale, John Campbell, Ray Remmen, Ron Waples (three wins), Bill O'Donnell, Michel Lachance, Herve Filion and Lucien Fontaine. Oh, by the way, U.S.-based drivers Richie Silverman and Mickey McNichol accounted for the other two wins.
In 1986, Canadian-born horseman Lucien Fontaine made only 177 starts but set numerous track records behind the horse for which he was best known, Forrest Skipper, shown above. The duo had a perfect 15-for-15 season, setting records everywhere they went.
Ontario Sires Stakes
1986 marked the 13th year of the Ontario Sires Stakes program. The list below shows the leading divisional money winners and also the individual driver's standings. This marked the last year without an award for driving excellence in the OSS races. The following year, 1987, saw the introduction of the Lampman Cup, awarded annually to the top driver.
Other Happenings
Horseman Dave Downey left Calgary to join Champlain Park in New Brunswick as Race Secretary and Assistant General Manager. He was returning to his home province following an 11-year stint in Western Canada. Prior to his departure, a surprise party was held in his honour, and several gifts were given to recognize his contributions both on and off the track. At age 36, he had already chalked up over 800 wins as a driver.
In March, Northlands Park hosted several major stake races that attracted some top talent from Ontario. Armbro Cruiser, with trainer Garth Gordon driving for owners Randy, Brian and Leonard Coulson of Milton, captured a division of the Prairie Pacing Series in a cold-weather mile of 1:57.1.
Roger Mayotte, a 30-year-old native of Thunder Bay, Ont., and one of the younger drivers on the O.J.C. circuit, recorded another season with over $1 million in earnings. This marked the fourth consecutive year that he had reached that plateau. Early in the 1986 season, on March 7, he turned in an exceptional performance when he dominated the race card with five wins.
Already a seasoned performer, Roger learned his early lessons serving an apprenticeship in the stables of Gary Crowe, Keith Waples and Bill Troy. He later spent three years with veteran Percy Robillard, and during that time served as second trainer and primary driver. He was well prepared to operate his own public stable.
Gunholme Farm Dispersal
In July of 1986, a huge auction sale was held to mark the closure of one of the truly great breeding establishments in Canadian harness racing history. Dr. Brad Gunn and his wife, Agnes, had decided to retire and sell off all of their huge band of horses.
Dr. Brad Gunn and his wife, Agnes, were longtime owners and operators of the famed Gunholme Farm, a Standardbred breeding establishment located at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Dr. Gunn was seldom seen without his signature ten-gallon hat. (Photo courtesy of Lloydminster Historical Archives.)
The sale started on a highly emotional pitch as Dr. Gunn led the famous stallion Adios Pick into the sales ring. Oddly enough, he was the only horse on the grounds not being offered for sale. The then 32-year-old son of Adios was in his waning years but still the pride and joy of his owner. Together, they had authored a new chapter in the history of harness racing in Western Canada. He also paraded Kawartha Tarson, the heir apparent to Adios Pick, who was sold that day and returned to Ontario to resume his stud career.
Some of the highlights of the sale included a total gross sale amount of just over $480,000, with an average of $2,390. Accounting for almost half of that total was one buyer, Denton Johnston of Kawartha Farms, located near Peterborough, Ont. He bought 48 head, which included most of the sale toppers. His purchase included several sons and daughters of Kawartha Tarson, who was also headed back to Johnston's Ontario farm. He bought more than a dozen broodmares, most in foal to Tarson or with foals at their sides.
And It All Happened 40 Years Ago.
Quote for the Week: "I've never been broke, but I've been badly bent more than once." - An old saying from a fellow who had suffered through tough financial times.
Who Is It?
Can you name the driver pictured here? He was very successful in the 1986 OSS season. If you recognize any of the other stable connections, please include them.
Who Else Is It?
Can you correctly identify this driver, and maybe even the horse? He was well placed in every OSS statistic during 1986. He was a mere 42 years young at the time. Who knows, 40 years later, he might still be honing his driving skills?
Who Else Is It? 2
These folks were involved in a winning way in the inaugural year of the Breeders Crown in 1984. We have a racing official, a driver, a trainer and a couple of happy owners. That photo was taken at Northlands Park in Edmonton.
(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)