The monthly edition of Years Ago is the feature of Rewind' this week, as Robert Smith takes a look at the decade of the 1990s. He has chosen several names, events, records and stories that were in the news back then. A few old photos are part of the offering.
1990 - Apaches Fame Wins North America Cup
Driver and trainer Bud Fritz appears with Apaches Fame at Greenwood (Photo courtesy of Northeast Harness News)
June 21, 1990: It was a big Saturday night at Toronto's Greenwood Raceway as Apaches Fame upset heavily-favoured Beach Towel to become the first Canadian-bred horse to win the $1,000,000 North America Cup. Beach Towel, driven by Ray Remmen made a costly break at the quarter pole allowing Apaches Fame to break away from the pack and eventually gain the victory. The winning horse paced the mile in 1:53 4/5 in a thrilling finish with Mark Jonathan placing second and Road Machine third. It was yet another race to be long remembered by the Greenwood faithful.
Beach Towel was 6-for-6 going into the race and already a winner of $841,430 that season. In the elimination race the previous week, Beach Towel was the winner with Apaches Fame second, five lengths back after locking wheels earlier in the race with Scoot Outa Reach. Lady Luck was a bit kinder on this occasion.
Driver Bud Fritz who also trained the winning horse for owner Bob Chapple of Chatham, Ont. took the victory in stride. "I'm happy," said Fritz. "I just have to win the next race too." When asked how it felt to win his first million-dollar purse Fritz replied "I don't know, I've never won one before." At this point in the season Apaches Fame had won six of his seven season's starts. All of the entrants in this race were also eligible for the upcoming Meadowlands Pace, yet another $1 million dollar race. Owner Chapple said "Hopefully he can continue to race well and stay healthy like he is now."
1991 - Breeders Crown Races Dominated By Canadian Connections
In 1991 the 12 Breeders Crown events were held at two different tracks. Eight races were held at Pompano Park with the remaining 4 at The Meadows in Pennsylvania. Regardless of the location, Canadian-born drivers completely dominated that year's races. At Pompano the only U.S. driver to see the winner's circle was Ron Pierce who won the three-year-old colt and gelding trot behind Giant Victory.
Successful drivers with Canadian roots were Doug Brown (Digger Almahurst), Bill Gale (two wins) with King Conch and Three Wizards. Ron Waples was a winner with three-year-old filly trotter Twelve Speed. John Campbell led all drivers with three wins on the card scoring behind Hazelton Kay, Armbro Keepsake and Miss Easy.
Driver Bill Gale made two trips to the winner's circle at Pompano on Breeders Crown night.
At the Meadows gathering, three Canadian-born drivers scored victories while the lone non Canadian-born winning driver was Swedish-born Berndt Lindstedt who won the Open Mares Trot with Me Maggie. Three different Canadian-born reinsmen scored victories. Bill O'Donnell won the Open Mare Pace with Delinquent Account while Mike Lachance was the winning driver behind Camluck in the Open Pace. Both of these horses were trained by Bob McIntosh. The third driver to be successful on that occasion was Paul MacDonell who won the Open Trot with Billyjojimbob for trainer Mike Wade.
1992 - Armstrong Farm Stallion Roster - Then And Earlier
The following roster of stallions was standing at the Armstrong Bros. Farm at Inglewood for the 1992 Season, 30 years ago.
Armbro Emerson - 1:51.4 - 1992 Fee - $3,500
Armbro Omaha - 1:56.1 - 1992 Fee - $2,500
Dexter Nukes - 1:51.3 - 1992 Fee - $5,000
Dream Of Glory - 1:57.2 - 1992 Fee - $4,000
Legal Notice - 1:53.3 - 1992 Fee - $3,000
25 Years Earlier in 1967 the Armbro Roster looked like this.
Armbro Express - 1:59 2/5 - 1967 Fee - $300
Good Flyer - 1:59 1/5 - 1967 Fee - $300
Hoot Frost - 1:59 2/5 - 1967 Fee - $300
Take Command - 2:00 2/5 - 1967 Fee - $200
1993 - Bruce Johnston Passes away Suddenly
The industry recently lost one of its prominent leaders on May 5th while he was enjoying a game of golf with friends. The sudden, unexpected death of the Canadian Sportsman's publisher, Bruce Johnston, 59, of a massive heart attack stunned the harness racing public. Johnston, who practiced law in Aylmer, Ont. for 20 years before coming into the world of harness racing, became interested in the sport when a neighbor owned a top Canadian trotting colt. He purchased the harness racing journal in 1976, and soon became known for writing his famous "Short Turns" column, a humorous take-off on some of our sport's and society's problems of the day. He will be greatly missed as an active member of the harness racing community.
During his years at the helm of The Canadian Sportsman, a publication which dated back to 1870, Mr. Johnston helped to transform the iconic racing journal into a new era. He also became an avid participant in the sport as an owner and enjoyed a number of successes at many Ontario tracks.
1997 - Niatross Visits Windsor
(Advertising flyer courtesy of Slater Tire)
Back on the evening of October 19, 1997 the immortal Niatross paid a special visit to Windsor Raceway. The great horse was then a charming 20-year-old and his racing days were over "ages" before this time but he was still a drawing card.
On this evening a special stall was constructed in the grandstand area at Windsor and even though many in the audience probably weren't even born yet when this super horse was in action on the track, they all wanted to see him up close and personal.
Mr. Tom Joy owner of Windsor Raceway is pictured as "The Boss" promoting a special night when Niatross was being showcased at the border track back in 1997
At this time Windsor Raceway was owned and operated by an extremely interesting and colourful gentleman by the name of Tom Joy. Always the promoter, he reportedly was personally involved in much of the planning and preparations of this evening. In a promotional poster advertising the evening Mr. Joy was dubbed "The Boss" while the main attraction was "Niatross".
Niatross was a special guest at Windsor Raceway on the evening of October 19, 1997
Quote For The Week: "Is being a horse trainer considered a stable job?"
Who Is It?
Can you name this horse owner pictured at his farm? Need I say he had some pretty nice performers back in the day.
Who Else Is It?
Can you put a name on this fellow who was involved with our sport for many years?
Blast From The Past
Does anyone remember when tracks handed out handy little items like the one pictured above? I found this many years ago among some things my dear departed mother wouldn't have ever thought of throwing away. Can you identify what this was used for? Let us know.
This week's pictures
This week's correct picture identities were as follows :
The correct answer to "Who is it ? was Mr. Robert Chapple of Chatham, Ont. , proud owner of Apaches Fame. He is pictured holding the prized North America Cup won by his famous horse. A couple of hopeful yearlings are looking on.
Who else is it ? was answered by several as Rod Seiling, former hockey great born in Elmira, Ont. as well as being involved in harness racing for many years as were a number of people in his family.
The "Blast From The Past " item was aptly described by David Darocy. I have always considered it was designed for holding a licence or I.D. card and easily stored in a lady's purse or a gentleman's pocket (or wallet ). It measures about 3" by 4''.
Thanks as always.
Who is it? Robert Chapple…
Who is it? Robert Chapple
Who else is it? Rod Seiling
Blast from the past is a Personal I. D. /Card/Money holder, I still have one of these myself. Great reading as usual Mr. Smith, thank you.
Who else is it ?
The second picture is Rod Seiling
I believe the top photo was…
I believe the top photo was taken at Bud's farm with Apache Fame and A Worthy Lad because he has his training suit on. Bob Chapple , maybe Rod Seiling? Looks like something you might put paper and pens in?