SC Rewind: Thirty-Five Years Ago

In this week's edition of 'Rewind', Robert Smith takes a somewhat nostalgic look back 35 years ago to 1983. His reminiscence includes a number of then well-known people and horses who were making news; some in the headlines, others in the background.

Thirty five years ago, which was 1983, things were going along pretty nicely in the sport of Canadian harness racing. No new tracks were being built but more importantly none were being closed or torn down. Fans were still eager to see live racing and crowds remained at a relatively high level. The B Track circuit was still in full force and both Quebec and Ontario had great racing opportunities. An old warrior named Rambling Willie was in the process of saying good bye.

The O.S.S. Turns Ten

As the curtain fell on the 1983 season it marked the 10th season for the still new Sires Stakes program. In that time span it had risen to one of the finest of its kind and had far outstripped its early expectations. A few quick facts concerning the 1983 season are listed below.

• A total of 23 horses earned over $75,000 racing exclusively in the O.S.S. program and 84 horses won over $25,000

• Nine horses earned over $100,000 and 42 made over $50,000

• Through the Improvement Program the Province rebated over $7.1 million to Ontario's raceways for overnight purse assistance

• In addition a record $7.7 million in purses and breeders awards were distributed to bring the total to $14.8 million

• From May to November, 104 events are planned for the upcoming year 1984

• Nine new speed records were set

• There were 19 raceways that participated in the O.S.S.

Maritime Review

The Cape Breton Turf Club racing at Sydney, Nova Scotia staged another year of outstanding racing. The Metro Pace held in July each year went to Glen Reynolds in 2:01.3. The freshman filly All Finesse, racing out of the barn of Mike Downey, was a successful performer in the Atlantic Sires Stakes. In the driver's category John Ratchford from North Sydney held the hottest hand with many others in close pursuit such as his brother Dave, Angus Gillis, Callie Rankin and Doug Rankin indicating that it was somewhat of a family affair.

At Sackville fine racing and great weather prevailed throughout the season with large turnouts on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Winners Accolade was the winner of several feature races. Owned by George Canning and handled by George Walsh this pair won the $15,000 Rothmans Pace of Nova Scotia in mid-August when a special "Harness Racing Day" was held which saw a mutuel handle of over $193,000. In October Gemini Risk took the $5,000 Coca Cola Invitational with Wally Hennessey driving for the Gemini stable. On October 15th veteran Dave Pinkney had the thrill of winning his 2,500th career race - tops in the Maritimes.

David Pinkney (Courtesy of Nova Scotia Sports HOF)

Cam Fella In Final Year

The year 1983 marked the final year on the track for one of the modern era's truly great horses, Cam Fella. While his career encompassed many great moments and victories, one very special one happened in mid-August when he won that year's Canadian Pacing Derby. With a purse of $125,000 on the line the son of Most Happy Fella not only won the race but also lowered the Greenwood track record to 1:54.4. This horse was in a league of his own and those who were lucky enough to see him race will remember the electricity he brought to his every appearance. Fans travelled by the busload to watch him perform and were seldom disappointed at his unbelievable heroics.

Cam Fella makes one of many trips to the winner's enclosure during the 1983 season, this one at Greenwood on Derby Day. From left: driver Pat Crowe, Cam Fella, caretakers Peter Houck and Doug Marshall while Rod Seiling (second from right) presents owners Norm Clements and Norm Faulkner with yet another trophy compliments of Racetracks of Canada. Photo by Steve Tombosso

Firlotte Bids Good Bye to Two Standouts

The winner's circle following Ralph Hanover's victory in the Cane Futurity included a lot of happy people. From left: Joanne Firlotte, Ralph, driver Ron Waples, trainer Stew Firlotte and Arthur J. Rooney, Chairman of Yonkers Racing Corp. who made the trophy presentation

Noted trainer Stew Firlotte was no stranger to welcoming new "pupils" into his stable operation and watching them grow and prosper with each passing day. A more difficult task may have been saying good bye to his stars when their racing days were over. Certainly in late 1983 he was bracing to bid Adieu to two special favourites: Ralph Hanover and Programmed.

In a special ceremony on Nov. 6, 1983 Ralph Hanover who had just completed his racing career was on show in the grandstand for all Mohawk fans to see. He would then move on to Almahurst Farm in Lexington, Ky., to begin his new career as a stallion. His connections were still basking in the glow of his Little Brown Jug victory which secured his Triple Crown title.

Programmed closed out her racing career on a winning note taking her final race in a Preferred Handicap for a purse of $11,000. She stopped the timer in a swift 1:59 flat beating Enlightening and Disc Drive who finished third. A further note to her closing chapter on the track was that she was the only distaffer in the field. The now wealthiest daughter to date of Bret Hanover - Anna Verna was headed to co-owner Brian Webster's farm at St. George, Ont., scheduled to be mated with Niatross in the upcoming breeding season. Programmed, who was owned by the Surge Stable comprised of Webster and Ray Bednarz, had been driven to her many victories by Doug Brown.

Following her victory in the OJC Maturity Programmed was joined in the winner's circle by Race Sec. Barry Hewson on the far right. He was there to make a presentation to owners Brian Webster, trainer Stew Firlotte and Ray Bednarz. On the far left is driver Doug Brown and the caretaker of Programmed (Steve Tombosso photo)

Final Day At Elmira

Organizers at Elmira Raceway used their final day of racing for that season to good advantage and following the matinee card on Saturday November 19, 1983, an awards night dinner and dance was held. An approximate crowd of 300 horsemen, employees and racing fans joined in to pay tribute to the year's outstanding performers. It was a great evening of dining, dancing, reminiscing and the sharing of a memorable time.

Topping the list of honourees was not a horse but rather a horseman. A young 29-year-old driver from Monkton, Ont. named Ross Battin made a clean sweep of all categories and in most cases won by the widest of margins over his closest competitors. The busy man who combines dairy farming with racing a large number of horses had 377 drives over the 50-date season which amounts to about 7-1/2 entrants per program. He led all drivers in races won as well as UDRS standings. Battin entered the winner's circle 83 times along with 61 second place finishes and 68 thirds. His driving average of. 370 edged out Mike Schaefer who had. 363 and George Henry at. 336. In the race for dashes won, his closest competitor was Bill Lambertus with 40 wins and George Henry who had 30. To the surprise of no one, Ross also earned over $69,000 to complete the sweep of the purses won category. A pretty good showing for "The Battin Boy" which coincidentally was the name of a horse once raced by the man of the same name. It is perhaps appropriate for someone from the Perth County village of Monkton to be involved with horses as reportedly the first building ever erected there was a Blacksmith shop way back in 1857.

Earlier in the season on Labour Day weekend, a Barbecue was hosted by Elmira Raceway, Molson's Breweries and Seagram's Distilleries as the summer portion of the racing season ended and the fall session began.

Summary of Other Elmira Awards

• Horse Of The Year - Sean Hanover, Owned by Ben Shain & George Henry

• Pacer Of The Year - Blazing Shot, Owned by Larry Jeffrey

• Claimer of The Year - Waving Carol, Owned by Wayne Beitz

• 1983 Bill Oehring Memorial Race - Won by Wilvan Duke (Jack Radcliffe) Owned by Dr. Ted Clarke of Elmira

A few memorable moments from 1983

• On July 21, 1983 Ron Waples caught up to George Burns in age (that's 39 in case you didn't know)

• In September The Standardbred magazine introduced a new regular column entitled "Looking Back". Its purpose was to cover some memories of the sport's earlier days

• The O.H.H.A. Annual Meeting And Dinner - Dance was scheduled for Sat. Jan. 28, 1984 at the Constellation Hotel. Tickets - $20.00 per person

• The Gold Cup & Saucer Race went to Silent Class and driver Marcel Barrieau

• Count Pool, a three-year-old son of Tarport Count, was the winner of the Ontario - Quebec Sires Stakes Challenge at Rideau Carleton where he equalled the 1:56.4 track record for three-year-old colt pacers. Owners were Earl Warren, R. Goldberg and T. Lukofsky of Toronto and he was driven by Tom Strauss for trainer John Burns. Boomer Drummond was second for driver and part owner Jean P. Charron.

Who Is It?

Can you correctly identify this very accomplished horseman from days gone by?

Bonus photo

This photo was taken around 1960 at Blue Bonnets and a subtle clue will be given. For starters name the man at the horse's head and also the once well-known driver.