This week’s Rewind is another edition of Picture Parade as we close out the 2025 year. Robert Smith has assembled a group of pictures from various time periods in the long past of harness racing. Whether or not you are a “picture guesser,” it is hoped that you will enjoy seeing them and perhaps even pick out something of interest.
A keepsake key ring from the O.S.S.
This week’s group of photos were all chosen because each one pertains to the O.S.S. The Ontario Sires Stakes program was organized in 1973 and first held the following year, 1974. They have been held each year since and can now boast 52 seasons of competition. The success of the series started immediately and each year since, horse owners, trainers and drivers have showcased the finest two- and three-year-old trotters and pacers at numerous tracks across the province. Everyone is HOME GROWN, right here in Ontario!
The task at hand is to name at least the driver (or drivers) appearing in a particular photo. If you recognize additional information such as track location, horse’s name, and anything or anyone else in the photo, please send it along.
#1 – On the far left, John Milson, former Mayor of Windsor and then part of the Windsor Raceway’s management team, is shown presenting a trophy to the winning owner. The horse is also sporting an inscribed O.S.S. blanket. Beyond the driver, I do not have an identity for anyone else in the photo, so the assistance of the reading audience will be appreciated.
#2 – Can you identify the two drivers pictured? The eventual winner in this photo was number 2.
#3 – This photo goes back to 1974, the inaugural year for the O.S.S. This is a special one, as the pictured horse was the first-ever winner of this now long-running series. Who is the driver?
#4 – This horse had big O.S.S. years in both 1985 and 1986. The driver compiled some impressive numbers despite racing a fairly small stable. Who can you name in this one?
#5 – This trotting filly was impressive in O.S.S. action and also earned an O’Brien Award in 1997. Name the driver and, if you know the name of the horse, send it along.
#6 – This smooth-going trotter was a big winner in O.S.S. competition. He was co-owned by his trainer and driver (pictured) and looks like he may have taken his other owner’s initials for part of his name. Who is in the sulky and, if you know the horse, why not submit that too?
#7 – This Ontario-bred pacing filly had a phenomenal O.S.S. career for a popular driver who was a neighbour of the owners. Can you tell us the name of the driver and perhaps another person or two? Cute little guy in the sulky seat.
An excerpt from a 1977 Windsor Star ad had the following to say about this amazing filly:
“In her first campaign she piled up earnings of $102,262, a mark seldom achieved by some of the greatest names in harness racing history and probably the best ever for a Canadian-foaled filly.”
#8 – These two speedy pacers finish a mile in 1:58.2 at Mohawk late in the 1988 season. Pretty quick back then. Can you identify both drivers?
#9 – This trotting colt had quite a knack for winning back in 1985. He once had a 10-race win streak, all in O.S.S. competition. If you can name the driver, let’s hear from you. Who is he, and maybe the horse too?
#10 – This photo also goes back to 1974, similar to #3. Can you name the driver and perhaps a few others in the winner’s circle? The fellow on the far left doing the presenting had an involvement in the program for many years.
(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)
Quote For The Week: Old-time definition of an expert: “A person with a briefcase, 100 miles away from home.”
Blast From The Past
Ice racing in the 1920s, Orillia, Ontario
Horse racing on frozen Lake Couchiching was popular in the 1920s. The excitement and daring of racing on ice attracted many spectators — and bettors — to winter carnivals and small towns like Orillia, located in Simcoe County.
This will be the final edition of Rewind for this year. Looking forward to 2026.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!
This week's picture answers
This week's pictures were all solved by our panel of experts. The correct answers to the picture parade photos were as follows:
#1 - Beside John Millson (far left) is co-owner Don Allensen and groom Michelle Ashley, horse is B Cor Timgo, in the Black jacket co-owner Dan Diebold. Winning driver was Peter Core. Thanks for your help Peter.
#2 - Drivers were Dave (sometimes maybe "Frankie" ) Boughton (2) and Jack Kopas (6) .
#3 - The winning driver was Ronnie Feagan winning the first ever OSS event at Garden City with Robra Glider in 1974
#4 - Presenter on far left not identified makes presentation to owner Roy Knight, caretaker is Kelly Bako, driver Laurie Bako and I believe Mrs. Knight at far right (not confirmed). Horse was KM Lazer
#5 - The winning horse is Remarkable Image and driver Karen Fekete (Hudon)
#6 - That was R B Jet and Norm Jones. He was owned by his trainer driver in partnership with Ray Bodi of Lyndhurst Ontario.
#7 - The horse was Twinkles Delight . Co-owner Larry Dawson is holding. Just behind the horse is Bill Cox and his wife Nickie (Goudreau) Cox. Young Billy Cox is seated in the sulky next to his grandparents "Smilin'" Fred and Jackie Goudreau
#8 - At the rail was Bill Gale with Mystery Fund (2) defeating Gas Leak (1) and Paul Matthews.
#9 - That was driver Ray McLean winning with Jayport Worthy Vic, an outstanding trotting colt
#10 - Winning horse was Garma Hooligan with driver Brent Davies and Callie. Owners Dr. Oscar Smith and his wife are pictured to the right. The presenter was Wm. R "Bill" McDonnell, long associated with the O.R.C .
Thanks so much to everyone for joining in. That is a lot of names, and I believe you got them all! Very funny story from Garth and a note to Barry Fitzgerald. Don't be shy about sending in your comments and thanks so much for keeping an eye on those Dufords! Thanks folks for the New Year's greetings. All the best for 2026.
You have some readers that…
You have some readers that really know there horse people. I see Don Giles called Dave Boughton “Frankie”. I will tell you a funny story about Dave Boughton. Back in the seventies and eighties the OJC rented the ice for us twice a week in the winter time at Mohawk and Greenwood. We would play in the afternoon. There was this skinny kid that would come out to play. They called him Frank. So one day Frank comes up to me and says I had the CTA send you a form to fill out because I want to get my trainer And drivers license. He said I had to get 6 trainers to sign for me. They said they have heard back from everyone except you. I said I got this form from the CTA to fill out for this guy called Dave Boughton. I said I didn’t know anyone by that name so threw the form in the trash. He says that is me. I said why do they call you “Frank” he says I don’t know they just do. Great Memories Robert thank you. Happy New Year to you from our house to your house.
#7 Twinkles Delight
L to R - Co-owner/groom Larry Dawson, Bill Cox, Nickie (Goudreau) Cox, Billy Cox and his grandparents Fred and Jackie Goudreau. I don’t comment very often, but I make sure to read your column every week, you do a fantastic job. Besides that, I have to check how sharp the Duford family is each week!
Rewind
Beside John Milson is Don Allensen and groom Michelle Ashley ,B Cor Timgo, in the Black jacket co-owner Dan Diebold
Happy New
Robert, thank you for continuing to share stories and pictures that bring back so many good memories! Happy New Year to you and all associated with standardbred racing!
2. Dave "Frankie" Boughton and Jack Kopas
3. Ron Feagan
4. Laurie Bako
5. Karen Fekete
6. Norm Jones
7. Fred Goudreau
8. Bill Gale and Paul Matthews
9. Ray McLean
10. Brent Davies
Picture Parade
Peter Core, Dave Boughton/Jack Kopas, Ron Feagan, Laurie Bako, Karen Fekete, Norm Jones, Fred Goudreau, Bill Gale /Paul Mathews, Ray Maclean, Brent Davies. Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year !
#1. Driver Peter Core.#2…
#1. Driver Peter Core.
#2. Winning horse Armbro Acadian and driver Dave Boughton, Jack Kopas driving the #6 horse.
#3. Robra Glider and Ron Feagan.
#4. K M Lazer and driver Laurie Bako, Roy Knight accepting the award.
#5. Remarkable Image Karen Fekete.
#6. R B Jet and Norm Jones.
#7. Twinkles Delight and driver Fred Goudreau with wife Jackie.
#8. William Gale on #2 and Paul Matthews on #1.
#9. Jayport Worthy Vic and Ray McLean Sr.
#10. Garma Hooligan and Brent Davies.
1)2) Dave Boughton and Jack…
1)
2) Dave Boughton and Jack Kopas
3) Ron Feagan
4)
5) Keren Fekete .Horse escapes me atm.. Impressive Lad?
6) RB Jet? ..Norm Jones!
7)
8) Bill Gale and Paul Matthews
9) Jayport Worthy Vic and Ray Mclean
10)
#1 Pete core and b c timco…
#1 Pete core and b c timco
#2 Dave boughton and Armbro Acadian and Jack Kopas on the inside
#3 Ronny Feagan
#4 Laurie Bako
#5 Karen Fekete
#6 norm jones
#7 twinkles delight groom Larry dawson and driver Freddy gaudreau
#8 bill gale Paul mathews
#9 ray Mclean
#10 Brent davies
rewind
Picture #1- Mel Corbett
Picture #2- Jack Kopas and ?
Picture #3- Ron Feagan
Picture # 4- Laurie Bako
Picture #5- Karen Hudon
Picture #6- ???
Picture #7-?????
Picture # 8- Bill Gale and Paul Mathews- Paul maybe drive Star Status
Picture #9- Ray Mclean
Picture # 10- Brent Davies
1 Peter Core 2 Dave…
1 Peter Core; 2 Dave Boughton, Jack Kopas; 3 Ron Feagan ;4 Laurie Bako, K M Lazer; 5 Karen Fekete; 6 R B Jet , Norm Jones; 7 Twinkles Delight, Fred Goudreau; 8 Bill Gale, Paul Mathews; 9 Jayport Worthy Vic, Ray McLean; 10 Brent Davies
picture parade
#1 _ Core, #2 Dave Boughton 2 Jack Kopas 5, #3 R Feagan 4 R Curran 6, #4 L Bako, #5 Karen Fekete,
#6 Norm Jones RB Jet, #7 F Goudreau, #8 B Gale 2 Paul Mathews 1, #9 Ray McLean, #10 ?