In his weekly feature, Robert Smith takes a look back at some people and events from harness racing in the 1980's in the ongoing feature "Years Ago".
1983
August 27, 1983 - Eighteen colts and geldings shipped into town for the Ontario Sires Stakes 3-year-old pace at Kawartha Downs and when the evening was over a couple of guys named Larry were wearing the biggest smiles. Paul Killean, owned by Gary Revington of Lucan and trained by Larry Fitzsimmons, won the first division with Trevor Ritchie doing the driving. They not only won the division, they tied the track record of 1:57.4. In the second grouping, Devons Prince led all the way for driver Larry Walker and owners Bruce and Glenna Clements of Dobbinton, Ont. Time of their mile was 1:58.1 and the winning margin over Count Pool was 2 1/2 lengths. Devons Prince has been a "dream" horse as already he has won 16 times from 33 lifetime starts as a two and three year old while adding over $220,000 to the Clements' bank account.
1984
Two young fellows both 19, with well known fathers who are drivers, just scored their own maiden victories. Both wins had a rather interesting similarity. Randy Waples, son of Ron, notched his first lifetime win behind Octagon, who he co-owns with his mother Josephine. Octagon is a 6-year-old son of High Ideal. Another up and comer Bill Archdekin, son of Clure Archdekin of Brampton, hit the winners circle for the first time at Orangeville driving Eagle Attack, owned by his mother Wilma. Archdekin's win was impressive for another reason as he stopped the timer in an even 2:00 for Orangeville's first "miracle mile" of the year.
1985
Racing at Kingston Park is a Sunday event this time of year. On both January 27 and February 3 the track was listed as "Good" and several drivers should have been listed as "Hot". On the two combined programs Sam Mullholland reined 3 winners, Ted Huntbach had 4 victories, Mark Steacy had 5 wins and Chris Storms was home first twice. A real crowd pleasing win came from the 14-year-old veteran roan gelding Revonah Abbe, owned by Bernie Corcoran of Kingston and driven by youthful Chris Storms in a winning time of 2:06. (Can anyone spell Hanover backwards?)
1985
"Bred to pace but loves to trot" might apply to Nadirs Pride, a two-year-old trotting filly owned by The Forbes Cattle Co. of Walkerton. The young miss stepped to a Canadian season's record of 2:03.4 on June 25 at Greenwood. The daughter of Armbro Nadir out of Native Sister, driven by Robert Walker recorded an eight length victory over Kassay, piloted by Chas. Lawson. A winner already of over $23,000, the rookie trotting filly looks like a good investment as she was sold as a Royal Blue yearling for an affordable $6,000. Her groom is Ted MacDonnell.
1987
Plans for the first ever Forest City Yearling Sale have been published and the date of August 29 has been chosen for the London-based event. Co-owners Doug and Carol Weldon and Susan McElroy hope it will become an annual affair. The sale will feature 150 yearlings by such well known sires as Armbro Acadian, Armbro Topper, Jazz Cosmos and Jonquil Hanover. The organizers are confident their sale will fill a need in the London area and is sure to draw interested buyers from the U.S. as well as all of Ontario. A total of 56 consignors have agreed to offer their yearlings for auction which will be housed in The Canada Building at Western Fair.