This week's Rewind is another version of Picture Parade, a regular monthly feature where readers get to look at some old photos and if they wish, submit who they think is pictured. This time there is no central theme, just a wide variety of harness racing personalities. It is intended to be somewhat akin to looking through an old scrapbook. And it's all about our sport's long and colourful past!
#1 - This young fellow started in harness racing working for his uncle in the Maritimes as a teenager over 55 years ago. At age 22 he started his own public stable. I believe he no longer drives but is still active in the sport. Who is he?
#2 - This young lad once won five races on a single program at Dresden in 1976. He was later honoured by track management for this accomplishment (left photo). Who is he?
#3 - In 1985 a sale was held at Garden State Park for the first time. The two young lads foremost in the picture were in attendance. Can you identify these two "boys"?
#4 - This fellow is shown in a training mile at Mohawk Raceway. He was part of a well known Ontario stable for many years and also operated his own outfit. He passed away a few years ago after returning to his home area. Who is he?
#5 - This 1985 photo taken at Vernon Downs shows a driver being honoured on the occasion of his 2000th career win. He was a Canadian-born fellow and from a well known family. Can you identify him? He is third from the right, just behind the Congratulations sign.
#6 - This photo was taken in 1980 during the famous ice races on the Rideau Canal. Can you name the winning driver in the middle and the presenter on the left? The fellow on the right is Martin Jones, representing the event's sponsor Hiram Walker Distillery, makers of world famous Canadian Club.
#7 - This gentleman once graced the front cover of TROT Magazine. A portion of the picture caption read "Football legend, Premier and Guardian of Racing." Can you name the fine fellow?
#8 - Two truly great horses meet up at Roosevelt Raceway. Both were geldings, one a pacer the other a trotter. Name them if you can and also let us know who the two gentlemen are. The fellow on the right was a noted trainer who at this time was filling in for an injured Johnny Chapman. The man on the left was forever linked to this memorable performer he is holding.
#9 - This young Canadian horseman was successful wherever he travelled and in this photo he was appearing at Rockingham Park. Can you name him? Check out the furs on the ladies in the winners circle.
#10 - Who are these two fellows? Also what are they showcasing in this photo?
The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.
Quote For The Week: "It is not the years in our life, but the life in our years that counts." - Abraham Lincoln
Blast From The Past
Remember when the crowds were huge?
Brandywine Raceway, pictured above, was a five-eighths mile Standardbred harness track in Wilmington, Delaware, that opened on September 7, 1953, and closed on December 28, 1989. The first race in 1953 was won by Head Pin for a purse of $900 before 13,500 fans.
This week's pictures were ....
Our experts were kept busy with this week's Picture Parade photos. The correct answers are shown below :
#1 - A very young Danny Romo
#2 - Lyle Grineage is the driver. In the left photo is Jean Lekavy, PR and Track Manager George Deacon of Dresden Raceway
#3 - Those two "younguns" were "Billy" O'Donnell and "Johnny" Campbell . Thanks to Mike Keeling for providing some comic relief with his comment labelling them as Jack Nicholson and Stacy Keach. I for one got a big kick out of it.
#4 - Paul Larrabee is the trainer
#5 - Lloyd Gilmour is the honored driver at Vernon
#6 - Bill Galvin left presenting to Shelley Goudreau along with sponsor Rep. Martin Jones
#7 - That gent is the late Don Getty, Grey Cup-winning football player, former Premier of Alberta, and key member of the Alberta horse racing industry.
#8 - Rambling Willy and Bob Farrington on the left with Savoir and trainer Mel Smorra on the right
#9 - Benoit Cote is the driver
#10 - John Burns left along with Rondeau Quick -Hitch inventor Dr. Gordon Gilbertson
Thanks to everyone for sending in your comments.
Savoir?
Savoir?
5 nd 7
5. Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Famer Bill Galvin fittingly on the left as Rideau Canal Ice Racing in Ottawa, which featured national TV coverage (!) , was just one of his many great promotional ideas for the Canadian Trotting Association.
7. Don Getty was a star quarterback for Edmonton Eskimos before he became Alberta Premier when he continued to attend Edmonton Northlands Race Track as a fan and thoroughbred owner.
No Guesses on # 8
We are still waiting for an answer on # 8 in this week's Picture Parade . Here are couple of clues:
Both horses are very well known. The pacer on the left and his trainer and driver are both in the U.S. HOF and raced numerous times in Canada for many seasons. The trotter on the right was Harness Horse of the Year in the 1970's and is also in the U.S. HOF. He retired as the richest trotter of all time. The pictured trainer's initials are M S , not overly well known but worked for Canadian John Chapman for many years. Enough ramblin...
rewind
7. Former Eskimo and Alberta Premier Don Getty
#2 Lyle Grinch George decan…
#2 Lyle Grinch George decan jean leccabee
#3 bill O'Donnell and John Campbell
#5 Lloyd Gilmore
#10 John burns and Dr gilbertson
2 Lyle Greinige 3 Bill…
2 Lyle Greinige 3 Bill Odonell John Campbell 10 John Burns and Dr Gordon Gilbertson inventer of the quick hitch
#3
Jack Nicholson and Stacey Keach
No. 1. Danny Romo. No…
No. 1. Danny Romo. No. Billy O’ and John Campbell. Nice to see Brandywine as they had some great racing. Regards, Bert Clish
#10
Well…Burnsie is the guy on the left
1Marcel Berriaue2, Lyle…
1Marcel Berriaue2, Lyle Grineage, 3 Sting, John Campbell 4 Paul Larrabee 5 Lloyd Gilmour 6. Bill Galvin, Shelly Goodreau 7? 8 Norm Duplais 9Ben Cote 1. John Burns, Dr. Gilbertson, quick hitch. One of the greatest inventions ever. Brandywine was called Star Track and sure was!