SC Rewind: Years Ago - 1930s

In this week's Rewind Robert Smith offers up the monthly edition of Years Ago; this time it is based on the decade of the 1930's. His piece recalls a few of the happenings, the people of the time and as usual a collage of old photos related to the short stories. The Great Depression (1929 - 1939) cut deeply into the very heart of the sport of harness racing but the strength and perseverance of those involved saved it from certain destruction.

1930s - A 'Maine' Attraction

For many years one of the most popular racetracks in North America was located at Old Orchard Beach, Maine. The quaint and picturesque surroundings added to its popularity and its kite shaped mile track was unique. The races, which often went on for several days, attracted all of the best horses and horsemen as they competed on this stop of the Grand Circuit. It was also a time for socializing and renewing old friendships.

A group of prominent horsemen are shown socializing during the race days at Old Orchard Beach, Maine. The gathering was held at the home of Bill Berry Sr. at Richmond, Maine. Shown from left to right are Bill Berry Jr., Sep Palin (of Greyhound fame), Ben White (four-time Hambo winner), Dick McMahon (one-time Hambo winner), Tom Berry (two-time Hambo winner), Norm Richards, Bill Berry Sr. and Gib White (son of Ben White standing upper right). Photo courtesy Northeast Harness News.

Imagine the sharp contrast in wearing apparel and the driver's ages compared to what we might see today. This photo is undated but presumed to be around the late 1930's.

1931 - Lexington Grandstand Destroyed By Fire

A view of the Red Mile grandstand as it appeared before it was destroyed by a huge fire in 1931.

Shortly after midnight on Oct. 9, 1931 a huge fire completely consumed the double-decker grandstand at the Red Mile track. At the time and perhaps for many years following, it was described as "The most spectacular fire that Lexington had ever seen." The blaze reportedly started in the betting shed and quickly spread through the entire wooden structure. According to newspaper accounts almost the entire building was ablaze before the first of five fire companies arrived on the scene.

As soon as the fire was discovered a handful of volunteer workers helped General Manager Walter Findlay carry books, records and light office furniture from the building. The volunteers included a number of University of Kentucky football players. Thankfully the helpers ceased their efforts and moved out of harm's way just as the roof crashed through the first tier of seats.

A crowd estimated at 3,000 inquisitive onlookers gathered to watch the historic old structure burn to the ground. This grandstand was not really all that old, in fact it was built about 40 years earlier after the first stand collapsed in 1892. Plans were immediately announced for a new structure to be built with steel and concrete. This unfortunate event brought a heavy hardship on the Red Mile track which was already under intense financial stress. A replacement stand was slow in being built.

1935 - Many Fast Miles Recorded During Thorncliffe Meeting In Toronto

For the second time in four years, the first being in 1931, Grand Circuit racing came to Toronto's Thorncliffe Park in July of 1935. The list of horses on the grounds was nothing short of amazing as all of the sport's top performers were on hand for the finest meeting ever staged on Canadian soil. The times were very fast as racing took place over a mile track then in existence at Thorncliffe.

Noteworthy among the week's stake races was the Royal York Hotel Stake for aged pacers held on closing day. The purse of $1,200 was an extremely generous amount at that time. The winner in three straight heats was the double-gaited mare Calumet Evelyn owned by McConnville Bros. of Ogdensburg, N.Y. and driven to victory by Canadian-born reinsman Vic Fleming. Her best time of the afternoon was recorded in the opening heat when she outsprinted the six-horse field in a clocking of 2:02, despite the fact that an earlier rain slowed the track by a tick or so. This was just one second off the existing track record of 2:01 set the previous year by Dick Reynolds who was also in this year's race finishing second twice for driver Ben White.

It is interesting to note that the sponsors of one of the races on closing day was listed as "Canadian Sportsman Publication Stake" for two-year-old pacers. From here the stables shipped to Rockingham Park at Salem, New Hampshire for the next Grand Circuit meeting in just one week. Virtually all travel was by train in those days.

Calumet Evelyn, world champion double-gaited mare shown here on the trot for driver Vic Fleming. This photo may have been taken at Lexington where she set several records during the 1930's.

1937 - Two Day Race Meeting Held At Tillsonburg

Ad from Canadian Sportsman. Note that just the first four finishers received a part of the purse money in those days. Also "All drivers must be in uniform."

As part of the Tillsonburg and Dereham Fair in 1937, the local Turf Club headed up by Jack Climie put on two days of excellent racing. The town track, long known for its firm footing and well kept surface, was in great shape for the many horsemen in attendance. On day one three races and nine heats were held, all being decided by three horses each winning all three heats of their respective events. The fastest mile of the day -- 2:09 1/2 -- belonged to Sandy Signal, owned by Webster Dawson of Port Lambton and handled by Fred Wilmore. The local hopeful Vester Bars, owned and driven by Alex Belore of nearby Salford, finished 4-3-3 for the day in that event. Other three heat winners were Prince Oakie for the Morrissey Stables of Centralia and Leone Hanover locally owned by the Owen Stables.

On the second day, Dillon Mc was a convincing winner in all three heats of the Free For All Trot & Pace. This horse was one of many brought from the U.S. by Dr. W.N. Meldrum of Norwich to bolster the Canadian breeding ranks. It did not show who drove that day but Dillon Mc was at times driven by Clint Hodgins, Harry Fields and Floyd Milton. His fastest clocking of the day and of the meeting was 2:08. Lastic Grattan, owned and driven by 24-year-old Lorne Tolhurst of this town, was a double heat winner in the 30 Class event. All of the races were well started by Mr. Jack Climie, long known for his expertise as a starter. Mr. Climie, who operated a store in Tillsonburg, often travelled as far East as Arnprior to act as starter. This was the third race day held at this track that year.

Shown above is a picture of the bull horn used for many years by starter Jack Climie. It was used to amplify his voice as he shouted out orders to the drivers. (Photo courtesy of Gary Foerster)

1938 - Lawn Derby Records First Sub-2:00 Mile Outside North America

The distinction of becoming the first sub-2:00 record holder outside of North America belongs to the great free-legged pacer Lawn Derby. At the time this horse was eight years old.

On Friday, Nov. 11, 1938, in front of a crowd of 30,000 on Show Day, history was made at Addington Raceway when Lawn Derby became the first horse outside North America to complete a mile in less than two minutes, beating Indianapolis’s NZ and Australasian mile record of 2:00.4 TT. Pacing the mile free-legged in 1:59 2/5 TT with sectionals of 29 2/5, 58 4/5, 1:28.0, 1:59 2/5 as recorded in NZ Racing and Trotting Digest of November 23, 1938 with galloping pace maker Golden Direct and driven by trainer/driver WJ (Jack) O’Shea, in attendance.

Lawn Derby has undoubtedly been Australasia’s greatest ever unhoppled pacer although he raced occasionally with long hopples, the majority of performances were without hopples on throughout all Australian states (except Western Australia) and New Zealand. With natural speed, requiring no hopples, boots or over check, Vic Dullard stated this horse in the following words “beautiful to behold, and in full flight his gliding action could be likened to something on the wing.”

A specially designed stopwatch was introduced to commemorate the first sub-2:00 mile outside of North America which was recorded in Australia by a horse named Lawn Derby in 1937. The watch displayed the record time of 1:59 2/5 as well as an image of the famous horse and driver.

Quote For The Week: "Due to COVID-19 protesters are being asked to work from home and destroy their own property."

Who Is It?

First to the wire

Then on to the winner's circle

Can you correctly identify these two young lads shown in the winner's circle at Orangeville Raceway following a win shown in top photo? A slight hint; they are both still around and have remained close friends after all these years.

Who Else Is It?

Can you figure out the identity of this once young lad?