SC Rewind: Silk Hat Picture Parade

Today's Rewind is the monthly feature 'Picture Parade' and as usual it has a central theme.  If you like to look at old photos from the days before helmets were part of a driver's attire then you're in luck on this edition.  Robert Smith has chosen a number of oldies of drivers wearing the neat old silk caps.  While they didn't offer any protection to the wearer,  they looked pretty "natty" to quote an old saying from days gone by.  

Note - Most of the clues given will be all the same because of the subject matter in today's column.  A few of these people are going to be pretty easy to identify but I included them in order to show some very good old pictures. 

#1 - Who is this fellow who spent a large portion of his career in the U.S.? I have heard that he was among the first drivers to display horseshoes on his driving silks. 

#2 - These fellows are all holding  cheques just received  as leading drivers.  Can you identify them all? 

#3 - This gentleman was the first driver to win both the Canadian Pacing Derby — then held at New Hamburg, On. — and the Maple Leaf Trot when it was raced at Thorncliffe Park.  Can you put a name on him? 

#4 - The man in the middle is shown receiving a rather large trophy for his accomplishments at Bay State Raceway as leading dash winner.  Can you tell us who he is? Can't help but wonder if those old trophies are still hidden away somewhere. 

#5 - Think "Down East" on this one.  Let us know who you think he is.  

#6 - This fine fellow like a number of others on the list raced for many years on the U.S. side.  Who is he?

#7 - These folks were among the best in their day which was a very long time ago.  Who are they? Also the lady was very well known even though she didn't drive horses and her silk hat was not quite regulation style. 

#8 - This fellow drove a lot of great horses and won some big races in both the U.S. and Canada.  I believe he still has family members that might follow racing a bit.  The big question is who is he?  I remember this man very well and talked with him many years ago. 



Note: This picture was taken in 1947 by a Hoof Beats photographer and the quality speaks well of the old photo technology back then.  

#9 - This man is legendary in Canadian harness racing.  Do you recognize him and if you do let us know who you think he is?

#10 - This Canadian gentleman was a popular figure in harness racing for an extremely long time.  Can you name him?

A Bit Of Trivia 

A recent Rewind recalled the introduction of helmets to harness racing which replaced the old silk caps.  The new headgear first appeared around 1956,  so about 67 years ago.  That would naturally mean that very few people who wore the old style hats are still with us.  Can anyone suggest who might still be with us that wore one of those old caps while driving.   I can think of a couple possibilities and one is pictured below as part of this week's quiz.  This can include both Canadian and U.S. drivers.  

Quote For The Week: "I think you should be a child for as long as you can.  I have been successful for 74 years being able to do that.  Don't rush into adulthood, it isn't  all that much fun." - From Bob Newhart, one of my favourites and still with us at 93. 

Who Is It? 

Can you identify this very well-known driver who is wearing an old style cap while winning a race at Old Woodbine in 1957? I do believe he is still with us.  The mare he is driving was well-known back in the day.