SC Rewind: Years Ago - 1960s

This week's 'Rewind' covers some topics of interest from the decade of the 1960s in the monthly edition of Years Ago. Robert Smith recalls a number of names, events and happenings from various years 1960 through 1969. This was an extremely exciting time in harness racing as several new racetracks were being built in Ontario and the sport was moving at break-neck speed. In 1961 a huge milestone was recorded as night racing finally came to Ontario starting in London.

1961 - An Announcer's Nightmare

Race fans in attendance at Old Woodbine on August 2, 1961 were witness to a rarity or at least an oddity and probably both!

The winner of the first race that day and also the front half of the Daily Double was a horse named THE ROCKET R. This then three-year-old gelding, sired by Thomas Hat was owned by Wheatley Farms of Wheatley, Ont. and driven to victory by Bert Madill. Time of the mile was 2:07.4. This was his first lifetime win.

That day's second race and second half of the double was won by THE ROCKET B. This then three-year-old, sired by Who and owned by Ron Bannerman of Seaforth, Ont. was driven by Harold McKinley. Time of the mile was 2:10. This was his first lifetime win. Both races carried a purse of $600.

Wouldn't it have been something if both of these horses were in the same race?

In the very next start for both horses on August 12 at Old Woodbine, they were entrants in that day's second race. The winner on this day was THE ROCKET R, again driven by Bert Madill. No, it wasn't a dead heat for win as THE ROCKET B finished fourth. Races like this are why announcers have to be special people.

At season's end The Rocket B had started 19 times, winning three races and a total of $1,118. The Rocket R started 20 times, also winning three races and a slightly higher amount of $1,583. The miles recorded on the day of the Daily Double win turned out to be their season's records.

The Real Rocket?

As most people know two horses cannot have the same name which is why the letters following the name are used. That year a five-year-old gelding named simply THE ROCKET made one start in his native Ohio. He finished fifth and last in a qualifying race at Lebanon, Ohio which kept his lifetime earnings at $0.00! Maybe next year...?

A bit strange but true. Maybe it was just a lesson in 'Rocket Science'!

1964-1966 - Cheerleaders For Bret Hanover

Frank Ervin, driver and trainer of the great Bret Hanover, is pictured with Bret's cheerleaders on Little Brown Jug Day 1965 at Delaware, Ohio.

The middle part of the decade of the '60s literally belonged to Bret Hanover, the pacing machine sired by Adios and out of the Tar Heel mare Brenna Hanover. He was foaled at the Hanover Shoe Farm in Pennsylvania in 1961 and his name was inspired by a popular TV show of that era. Mrs. Jim Harrison, whose husband worked for Hanover at the time, suggested the name "Bret" after the television personality James Garner who played Bret Maverick in the TV series Maverick that ran from 1957 to 1962.

Purchased at auction for $50,000, which was that year's highest figure, he was owned by Mr. Richard Downing of Shaker Heights, Ohio and trained and driven through his three-year racing career by the great Frank Ervin. He went undefeated in 24 starts as a two-year-old and ended his three-year career on the track with a phenomenal 62 wins in 68 lifetime starts. If my dollar store calculator is still working accurately, that is a win percentage of about 91.17647% for his career!

On Little Brown Jug Day in September of 1965 he had all of the 41,200 fans in attendance cheering for him but that day he also had his own cheerleaders. I don't know how often this has ever happened but I doubt that cheerleaders have ever appeared in front of more fans at a harness racing event.

1966 - Pacer Of The Year Ack Ack Has Sensational Season

Ack Ack scores for driver Roger White. This horse was part of the powerful stable operated by Roger White during the 1960's (Cdn. Sportsman)

The four-year-old pacing stallion Ack Ack owned by Montague "Moe" Israel and Eddie Woloz, and trained and driven by Roger White, enjoyed quite a season in 1966. That year the son of Bullet Hanover went postward a total of 31 times and scored 10 wins, often competing with some of the best horses on the grounds. His victories took place at four different tracks, beginning in May at Richelieu Park and continued on at Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and Brandywine in Wilmington, Delaware. In Canada he was named "Pacer Of The Year" for 1966.

Later in the season Roger had this horse in top condition as the fall season at Blue Bonnets saw him make four trips to the winner's enclosure. In back-to-back starts in October he clocked two winning efforts in the identical times of 1:59.4. That year just three sub-2:00 miles were recorded in Canada with the other credited to the one and only Bret Hanover, his time was 1:59 flat, at Blue Bonnets as well.

Roger White ran an amazing stable and when he even paraded a horse people took notice. Every aspect of his operation was first class, from his green and white awnings and beyond. In October of that year White won the O'Keefe trophy for his excellent showing at Blue Bonnets with several top performers, including Timely Knight who banked over $83,000 that season. He went to the post a total of 49 times and scored 16 wins and a total of 18 other in-the-money finishes during October to qualify. For his efforts he received a set of driving silks from the sponsoring O'Keefe Brewery.

It is interesting to note that this horse was not the only equine competitor to be registered as Ack Ack. An American thoroughbred shared the same name at about the same time (February 24, 1966 – November 7, 1990). He apparently enjoyed quite a career and was enshrined in the American Thoroughbred Hall of Fame. I'm happy to report that the standardbred version had the name first!

1967 - Keen Freight To Stand At Siple Farm

Keen Freight and driver Ed Arthur secure a win. The son of Tar Heel was one of many fine performers brought out by Mr. Arthur, originally a tobacco farmer who turned his hand to training and driving in the 1940's. This horse was co-owned by Dr. George Boyce of London, who was originally from Hawtrey in the tobacco growing country in Oxford County. (Cdn. Sportsman photo)

The young pacing stallion Keen Freight has been retired from racing and will join the list of sires standing at the farm of Carl Siple for the 1967 breeding season. The now five-year-old son of Tar Heel out of Kitty Hal by Hal Dale retired with a mark of 2:02.3 taken at age three. He was purchased as a yearling in the U.S. and raced by co-owner Ed Arthur of Otterville, Ont. who shared ownership with Dr. George Boyce of London. In just over two years of racing Keen Freight earned $33,416. His initial fee was set at $300 for a live foal. "Mares Must Be Approved."

Keen Freight will join a trio of other well-bred sires at the Siple Farm which is located at R.R # 2 Norwich, Ont. The other individuals with their current fee shown in brackets are Ensign Dillon 2:00 3/5 ($200); Ambassador Pick 2:02 2/5 ($100) and Castle Lee 2:02 on the Trot ($100).

For those wishing to contact the farm the number is Burgessville 90-W-3. Visitors are welcome.

Note - I believe this was the first successful horse owned by Dr. George Boyce. He went on to own many great horses in later years such as the full brother combo of Super Wave and Springfield. His son Dr. Robert Boyce has been a valued part of the Standardbred community for many years.

1968 - Veteran Driver Honoured At Windsor

Raceway Execs Wm. Rowe left and Al Siegel present tray to driver Herb Craig (Windsor Star)

Oct. 25, 1968 - Following the evening's third race Windsor Raceway officials held a special trackside presentation for veteran horseman Herb Craig in honour of his 75th birthday. Mr. Craig drove Truespite in the third race and made a valiant effort to notch a win on his milestone birthday but fell a bit short. Levi McFadden of Dresden, a friendly rival, spoiled his bid as he reined the favourite Johnny Meisner to victory as the 1-2 mutuel choice. The "birthday boy" did manage to nail down second spot.

Mr. Craig, who had plans to retire at the end of the season, was joined by family members and his longtime owner Dr. J.S. Ferguson of nearby Chatham who were guests in the Windsor clubhouse. He was presented with a commemorative silver tray and a large cake to mark the occasion. Later that season he did get Truespite to the winner's circle on December 27th.

On New Year's Eve that year when the traditional "Retirement Race" was held at Windsor to honour a group of 14-year-old horses Mr. Craig joined in the festivities. He was matched up with Adios Judge an entrant owned by Dr. McKibbin of Wheatley. Shortly after the start of the race a rather serious accident occurred and Mr. Craig was removed by ambulance and transported to a Windsor hospital with a number of injuries. It was a scary scene; I recall seeing it all.

Who Is It?

Can you identify the two individuals in this old photo and the location? The correct answer will be displayed during the upcoming week.