In this week's edition of Rewind, Robert Smith recalls the top performers from the 1985 season in Canadian harness racing. This was just a few years prior to the introduction of the now-famous O'Brien Awards. At this time, the annual awards were handled by the Canadian Trotting Association and the Harness Reporters of Canada.
Some very impressive performers starred in the 1985 season, now just over 40 years ago, as speed marks continued to fall and money earnings grew to new heights. Undoubtedly, one horse stood above all others in 1985, and that was, of course, the incomparable On The Road Again, who was not only named Aged Pacing Horse but also Horse of the Year.
OTRA, as he was often referred to in the press, was on the last lap of his three-year track career and about to embark on his new life and stud career at Blue Chip Farm. He was a winner of 22 races in 30 starts and finished out of the show money only once all season. He visited 10 different tracks in all and did some travelling in the process. In October, he won the Stewart Fraser Memorial in Edmonton.
"Road," as he was sometimes known, went into retirement having earned more than any other Canadian-owned Standardbred in history. And that amazing figure was $2.8 million; not a bad investment for auto dealer Gordon Rumpel, who purchased the chestnut colt for $10,000 at the 1981 Meadowlands sale.
He was one of four repeat award winners that year, joining trainer Bob McIntosh and two Quebec standouts, Semalu Damour and Grades Singing.
A Few Highlights From 1985
Four award winners were Canadian-bred: Jayport Worthy Vic (Worthy Bowl), General D Brook (Laryngitis), Lou Macs Dream (Dream Of Glory) and Fuchsia (Brisco Hanover).
Dave Wall, the 38-year-old recipient of the top driving award, amassed more than $2 million in purse earnings, and about half that total came from horses he also trained personally. His training statistics were almost as impressive as his driving records.
One Ontario track, Barrie Raceway, was decimated by a freak tornado but was miraculously rebuilt in about five months.
On a sad note, one of the sport's best-known and respected horsemen, Glen Garnsey, lost his life in an automobile accident in the fall.
LIST OF AWARD WINNERS FOR 1985
TROTTERS
Two-Year-Old Filly — BRITELITE LOBELL
Owned by Irv Liverman and James Masterson Sr.
Two-Year-Old Colt or Gelding — JAYPORT WORTHY VIC
Owned by Nadus Stable and Earl Gee
Three-Year-Old Filly — GRADES SINGING
Owned by Ferme Grande Inc.
Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding — LOU MACS DREAM
Owned by Walter Emond
Aged Trotting Mare — FUCHSIA
Owned by Barbara Lennox and Donald G. Lawson
Aged Trotting Horse — GENERAL D BROOK
Owned by Scott Campbell, Robert McIntosh, Trevor Ritchie
PACERS
Two-Year-Old Filly — CHER A LIKE
Owned by Harry Bytzek and Flying Children Farms
Two-Year-Old Colt or Gelding — LAUGHS
Owned by 8 Friends Stable
Three-Year-Old Filly — SEMALU DAMOUR
Owned by Ferme Semaludeux
Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding — FALCON SEELSTER
Owned by Charles Day and Ciara Stable
Aged Pacing Mare — HOMEMADE LOVIN
Owned by Audrey Smith
Aged Pacing Horse & Horse of the Year — ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Owned by Gordon and Ila Rumpel, Blue Chip Partners, The Road Group
Trainer of the Year — BOB MCINTOSH of LaSalle, Ont.
Driver of the Year — DAVE WALL of Komoka, Ont.
General Achievement Category — WM. E. ROWE
Quote For The Week: "I'd rather be lucky than good." Attributed to Lefty Gomez, an old-time baseball pitcher.
PHOTO QUIZ
The following photos are in some way related to the "stars" of the 1985 season.
#1 — This gent was involved with a pretty high-profile performer in 1985. Can you put a name on him?
#2 — The fellow on the right was the recipient of a well-deserved award based on his tremendous contribution to harness racing during the 1985 season. Who is this man?
#3 — This fellow had a "pretty good year" in 1986 for sure. Who is he?
#4 — The 1985 season did not start out well, as a horsemen's strike halted racing for most of January on the Ontario Jockey Club circuit. The above photo was taken as racing resumed on January 28. Who is the winning driver?
#5 — This horse had an outstanding season in 1985. Who is the driver and horse as well, if you can?
(The correct answers to the above photos will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)