SC Rewind: Years Ago - 1990s

For this week's Rewind column Robert Smith has chosen a few short pieces covering the people, the racing action and other items of interest relating to the decade of the 1990's in the monthly feature Years Ago.  That was about 30 years ago. 

1990-1999 - U.S. Horse Of The Year Awards For The Decade 

The coveted U.S. Horse of the Year award given annually to the best horse in the sport was evenly split between gaits during the ten years of the decade of the 90's as nine different horses ended up in the top spot.  In years one through five (1990-1994) five pacers garnered top honours.  They were (in order of year), Beach Towel, Precious Bunny, Artsplace, Staying Together and Cams Card Shark. 

In 1995 the winning  performers switched to the trotting gait and in five successive years they prevailed.  The first of five in a row was CR Kay Suzie, Continentalvictory,  Malabar Man,  and Moni Maker (two years in a row)  to complete the decade.  Many of these great horses had strong Canadian connections. 

1991 - Father Son Duo Among The Best 

Father and son teams in harness racing are certainly not a rarity nor an oddity;  in fact quite the opposite.  There have been a lot of them over the years but at this time one of the more successful and most talented duos had the last name of Ackerman.  Father Doug Ackerman was a very accomplished horseman in all facets of the sport and business and his son known as D.R.,  was already well on his way to the top at the age of 32. 

Harness racing was indeed in their genes as the senior Ackerman's father and grandfather were both horsemen.  Rollin, Doug's father died in a racing accident in Hillsdale, Michigan when he was just 42 years of age;  Doug was only 14 at the time. Before moving to California Doug grew up in Michigan and Indiana.  He not only came from a horse racing background, he also married into one as his wife (and D.R.'s mother) was Ada Jean Funderburk, the daughter of Foy Funderburk, a very successful horseman in his day.  

Together the Ackermans carved out a special niche in the sport as one of the most talented, hard working and successful father - son combinations the sport has ever known.  Doug Ackerman passed away at the age of 86 in 2014.  D.R. is still very involved. 

The following passage appeared on the Standardbred Canada website at the time of Doug Ackerman's passing in May 2014. 

"Ackerman was seldom seen without his beloved wife Ada Jean at his side and she was as popular and widely known in harness racing as her husband. Their daughter Connie Hochstetler is a noted racing official whose husband Homer is a veteran trainer. Their son Jay, a student at the University of Kentucky, is now working at The Horseman & Fair World. Son D.R. Ackerman has been training and racing the Ackerman Stable horses during his father’s illness. He and wife Angelika have sons D.R. Ackerman, Jr. and Kevin."

1992 - Harness Tracks Of America Division Champions Announced 

At the close of the 1992 season the results of the voting by the 39 HTA member tracks was announced with the following divisional leaders shown. Standout pacers Artsplace, Western Hanover and So Fresh were unanimous selections.  These three horses were owned entirely or in partnership by Chicago commodities trader George Segal.  His stable earned more than $6 million in 1992.  

Artsplace, voted top older pacer, won all 16 of his starts in the 1992 season. He also paced the fastest race mile ever, 1:49 2/5, and became just the second pacer ever to earn $3 million in a career. Western Hanover was harness racing's richest horse of 1992, banking more than $1.8 million. The three-year-old colt won two legs of the pacing triple crown, including the Messenger,  but lost the Little Brown Jug by a nose. So Fresh emerged as the top three-year-old filly with 15 wins in 19 starts and earnings of more than $643,000.

Hambletonian winner Alf Palema, the only trotter to win $1 million in 1992, was honoured as top three-year-old colt. He also won the World Trotting Derby, but was upset in the Colonial Trot at Rosecroft in the  fall.

Other divisional winners were: Presidential Ball (two-year-old pacing colt); Immortality (two-year-old pacing filly); Giant Chill (two-year-old trotting colt); Winkys Goal (two-year-old trotting filly); Imperfection (three-year-old trotting filly), and Billyjojimbob (older trotter).

1998 - John Hayes Sr. Passes Away 

John Hayes Sr. (Hoof Beats photo)

John Hayes Sr., a man who served the sport of harness racing in a multitude of ways, passed away on December 8, 1998.  He was 79 years of age, born in 1919.  Originally a dairy farmer in the Oshawa area he decided to turn his interests to harness racing following WWII.  His first venture was as an owner with his modest stable in the hands of Quebec horseman Theo Turcotte.  Hayes soon decided to begin training his own horses based on the interest he had from working with horses on his farm.  

He gradually built a stable of quality horses, most often purchased at U.S. auctions.  One of his best horses ever and his acknowledged favourite was Penn Hanover, a lifetime winner of over $200,000 and a successful sire.  In 1971 he unveiled the sensational two-year-old Strike Out which he drove himself.  As a three-year-old this colt was turned over to Keith Waples, as Hayes experienced a heart ailment that curtailed his activities for a time.  With Waples at the helm he went on to multiple victories, capped off by winning the 1972 Little Brown Jug.  

"The Senator" as he was often called, moved into off track leadership roles in later years such as CTA President and Vice Chair of the O.R.C. Few people in the history of the sport have served in as many varied roles.  Throughout much of his career he was joined by his son Dr. John Hayes, a veterinarian and a very accomplished trainer, driver and business partner. 

Quote For The Week: "You've got to come to work every day, and you’ve got to come to work. You do that and you prosper.” - Words of D.R. Ackerman 

Who Is It? 

Can you identify this rather young fellow? The only clue I will offer is that he is a bit younger than many of the Rewind quiz personalities but he did have a bit of gray under that helmet when this photo was taken. Give it your best shot. 

Who Else Is It? 

This is a rather famous aged horse from the 1960's accompanied by a horseman of distinction.  See if you can name them both.  One clue: when this picture was taken the regular driver of this horse was injured and this man was a natural replacement to take over the driving duties.  Let us know who you think they are. 

Who Else Is It #2?

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Can you identify this rather famous personality of this era that is mentioned elsewhere in today's column?