SC Rewind: In The News 45 Years Ago

This week's edition of Rewind takes a trip back in time to 1977; 45 years ago.  Robert Smith recalls a number of happenings that were then "in the news" from various geographical areas.  The short stories and accompanying pictures recall the times and the people who were then making headlines. 

As fans and followers of harness racing we have become somewhat "spoiled" by the modern day coverage of news events.  We literally find out as soon as something of importance happens;  no waiting, no wondering. All possible because of the Internet and the Standardbred Canada website.  It wasn't always that way,  not so long ago we waited  patiently until the mail arrived and with it came our favourite racing publication and we got up to speed on what was happening.  

The following items were reported on around the dates of  mid to late June and early July of 1977.  I hope I have chosen some interesting subjects and along with them a few old photographs. All of the items were covered in the Standardbred Record as it was then called and it was published at Acton, Ont. by editor / publisher Barbara Lennox. These items were not copied but rather used as a source for a shorter version of what was then the latest news. 

Painter Lobell Wins 1977 Connaught Cup 

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The 10th annual Connaught Cup went to the outstanding pacer Painter Lobell, a four-year-old son of Overtrick.  Held on June 26, a Sunday afternoon, the event carried a purse of $15,000.  The winner was driven by Duncan MacTavish and marked his first victory in this event.  Finishing second was Bohems Dauntless with Vocal Minority third.  Time for the mile was 2:01.2 which was well off the stakes record of 1:58.4 set back in 1972 by Silent Majority and Stanley Dancer. 

This event was a popular race at the old Connaught track and always attracted some top notch aged performers.  The inaugural race held in 1968 was won by Replica Herbert and driver Paul Radley for The Herbert Stable of Lambeth, Ont.  A very popular winner early in this race's history was local favourite Earlylakes John owned and driven by Earl Lake. This popular duo took home the second Cup.  In the decade of the 80's a horse named Banker Fretz with co-owner Garth Gordon training and driving won this race a record three times. 

Hie Brothers Take Six of 10 Races at Kawartha 

The three Hie brothers, Doug, Roger and Carman of Cobourg, Ont. started July off with some fireworks of their own on a Thursday night at Kawartha Downs taking six of the 10 events carded.   Doug led the way with four trips to the charmed circle while Carman and Roger each scored a single victory. Doug's wins came behind Ima Comin, Trebor Bob, Friendly Native and Mooreland's Cindy.  Roger was a winner with his own Roger Bye Bye and lit up the tote board with a $68.10 win payoff! Carman won the night's featured Invitation Handicap as he piloted Pinedale Mick to a 2:03.1 victory for owner Morley Brethour of nearby Sunderland.   

First Confederation Cup Scheduled For Sept. 3rd

A report from racing officials at Flamboro Downs indicates that early sales of tickets to attend the inaugural Confederation Cup to be held on Labour Day weekend are going well.  It is expected that this race will be one of the gems of the Canadian racing scene.  A field of the finest three-year-old pacing talent in all of North America is expected.  The afternoon card will begin at 1:00 p.m..  Racing fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in the main lobby at Flamboro on any racing night.  

Trivia Question: Who won the very first Confederation Cup? While you're at it, name not only the horse but also the winning driver.  A recent announcement advises that this race will now have a new name "The Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup" — a very fitting tribute to a man who recently passed.  

New Track Record At Clinton

The fastest mile in the history of harness racing up to this point in time at the Clinton, Ont. oval was recorded on July 3 as part of the OHHA Series for Ontario-sired four-year-olds. That honour went to Scarlet Son and driver Carl MacArthur as they went wire to wire in 2:02.3.  The winning margin was a scant head as the gelded son of Scarlet Wave edged out Sunday Freight at the wire. This event was raced in two divisions with the second one taken by Wilcor Stephen handled by Terry Kerr for owner Greg Drew of Merlin.  Their time was 2:03.2,  a bit short of the newly minted record. 

Joe O'Brien Celebrates His 60th Birthday at Mohawk 

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World famous driver and the man who would later have Canada's top awards named after him was the driving hero at Mohawk on his 60th birthday, June 25, 1977.  Competing in an O.S.S. event for three-year-old fillies,  O'Brien scored a one length victory with Armbro Sonnet (shown above).  Bred and owned by the famed Armstrong Bros. stable of nearby Brampton, the daughter of Armbro Jet - Cassandra Hanover covered the mile in 2:06.2.  This victory evened the score with her main opponent in earlier OSS action Shawland Dawn and driver Larry Walker. 

In the other division of this OSS event Vera's Last was victorious in a slightly slower 2:07.3.  This was her second win in five starts and raised her season's earnings to almost $19,000. The daughter of Camper out of Vera Riddell was owned jointly by Wilma and Harry Shantz of Hyde Park and Dave Wall who also trained and drove.  Second was Exceptional Girl (Bill Carroll) with third spot going to Nila Herbert with Jack Herbert driving. 

Mohawk's Oldest Record Falls Twice 

Mohawk's longest existing track record which dated back to August 24, 1968 (almost nine years) was broken not once but twice within a span of 24 hours.  The old record of 2:03.4 for two-year-old pacers set in 1968,  belonged to Keystone Adage and driver Phil Dussault.  This was the last time a summer meeting had been held at this location until the current session which perhaps explained its lengthy existence in the record books. 

First to better the track record was Tarbesto Hanover driven by Keith Waples for owner Ray Hobin of Stittsville, Ont. Their time of 2:03.1 shaved three-fifths of a second off the old standard.  The following night which marked the closing of the Mohawk meet,  the record was once again lowered.  This time the new mark was set by the filly Ladalia Hanover, a daughter of Columbia George owned by the Adlington Stable of Denfield, On.  With Ken Hardy in the bike, the filly sped to a rather easy 6-1/2 length win going wire to wire in 2:02.1. 

Bill Gale Leads USTA Dash winners 

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At the midway point of the 1977 racing season Bill Gale led the sport in dashes won with 145 wins.   He held a slim lead of just three wins over 21-year-old Donald Dancer.  The race at this point couldn't have been much closer as only six wins separated the top five drivers.   Gale's name was not in the top 10 money winning drivers and it was pointed out that the purse structure at the Meadowlands track was undoubtedly the key.  Seven of the 10 leading money-winning teamsters were regulars at the New Jersey track.  Gale competed mainly in the Windsor-Detroit circuit and the Ont. Jockey Club tracks as well as OSS competition.  

Somewhat conspicuous in his absence was the perennial leader in most categories, Herve Filion.  He was currently in 10th spot in dashes won and off the board in the money race although he held down the 11th spot.  The previous year he had won both categories.  This was an unusual pace for him but interestingly he was on a bit of an upsurge at this time.  

Quote For The Week: "No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings." - William Blake, English poet and painter. 

Who Is It? 

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Can you recognize this driver and correctly name him? 

Who Else Is It? #1 

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Who is this fellow winning a race at Flamboro? 

Who Else Is It? #2 

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Who is the man in the pilot's seat behind No. 2 in this photo? 

Be sure to stay tuned during the coming week to see the correct answers.