In this week's Rewind Robert Smith recalls the once popular Connaught Cup race, held each May holiday weekend for many years at Connaught Park in Aylmer, Quebec. It was a popular race that served as this track's top annual event for Free For All pacers. His story this week is centred on the 1980 edition and also covers a bit of the race's long history.
First held over 56 years ago in 1968, The Connaught Cup has a long and interesting history. As the name would indicate these races were held at Connaught Park located in Aylmer, Que., just across the Ottawa River from our nation's capital. When the 1980 edition was contested it marked the third decade of the race's existence which meant this event already had quite a bit of history in the books.
Many of the earlier versions had been somewhat wide-open affairs with some years having no clear cut favourites in the field. This year's race, which was the 13th annual, was very different. A unanimous choice existed from the time the entries were announced. Tijuana Taxi, a locally-owned horse who came into the race with a huge reputation, was accorded all the headlines.
Taxi, as the winning horse was often referred to, was in the midst of an outstanding season. His owner, Mel Barr, a relative newcomer to the sport, chose to enter this race undoubtedly for a couple of reasons. First of all he was almost assured of a win but perhaps more important in making the choice was that he wanted to showcase this very fine horse in his "home" area. He certainly did not disappoint.
In the early part of the race a couple of contenders posed a minor threat to the eventual winner but their chances of defeating him vanished rather quickly. Off at odds of 1-5 Taxi left from the number two post and battled the inside horse Bold Zip and driver Dick Mitchell through the first quarter before assuming the lead. Following that the "battle" was virtually over. At the half two horses were on the move but not gaining any ground.
From here on Miller drove on, first opening up a comfortable lead then lengthening it to a commanding lead. By the head of the stretch his only foe was the teletimer. Miller, very mindful of the possibility of a new track record, went to the whip in the final strides and once across the wire he held the whip high in the air much to the delight of the crowd of 3,223 screaming fans. His margin of victory at the wire was 21 open lengths. There would be a wait for the rest of the field.
Tijuana Taxi under urging from driver Jim Miller reaches the wire a winner in new track record time to win the 1980 Connaught Cup.
This horse won handily and his win payoff of $2.70 was an indication of his stature in the race. Finishing second was J Js Metro with Hector Clouthier Jr. in the bike who stated even before the race "We're just along for the ride; we're not in Taxi's class." Smashing Neil, the second choice at 6-1, finished third
The winning time of 1:57.4 was a new all-age track record and of course a new stakes record. The new mark erased the existing record set eight years previous to this by Silent Majority in rein to the great U.S. horseman Stanley Dancer. Tijuana Taxi's new winning time shaved a full second off of the old standard.
This the 13th renewal of this signature race carried a purse of $36,000 which was the largest in its history. No horse or driver had ever earned a repeat victory. That would change by 1982 when Banker Fretz scored his second Cup win and the following year became the first and only three-time winner.
The above list shows the winners and drivers of the first 15 Cup races
While the activity on the track was over Mel Barr's party was underway in the clubhouse. He was surrounded by a huge entourage of family and friends, all of whom obviously were thoroughly enjoying the occasion. Barr, who was about 71 years of age at the time, was both pleased and proud to have his 91-year-old mother Maude as part of the festivities.
Late in the day's proceedings Mel Barr was quoted as saying "I've never enjoyed a day at a track more than this one with all my friends and relatives here. It was good for racing."
Quote For The Week: "Each time I hit a low point in my life I learn the most. Failure is the best University." - French director Claude Lelouch
Who Is It?
Can you identify the two gents in this picture? Looks like they might be discussing some racing strategy.
Who Else Is It?
Can you identify some of the people in this picture? This horse and his connections occupy a special place in the history of the Connaught Cup race.
A Bit Of Connaught Cup History
Who can name this well-known Ottawa Valley horseman and his special horse?