In the latest edition of Rewind Robert Smith takes a "walk" back in time to 1970 as he recalls a few things that were happening in the wonderful world of harness racing back then. Also included is a special salute to all mothers as we observe Mother's Day in the month of May.
C.S.H.S. Sale Sets New Record
Crowd shot from a sale around 1970
The 1970 sale sponsored by the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society was held on September 21 at the Rexdale Sales Arena. This was the eighth such sale and featured 72 yearlings, the largest number to date for this event. A gross figure of $118,650 was recorded at that sale. The $1,648 average was the second highest, topped only by the previous year's $2,196 average when 62 head were auctioned.
Auctioneer Tom Caldwell got the sales high bid when veteran Lambeth, Ont. horseman Wm. Herbert paid $5,500 to halter Romano, a son of Romeo Hanover consigned by Avondale Stables. Allan Waddell of Burlington Ont., acting as agent, had the second highest bid of the sale when he paid $4,200 for Armstead Blake by Stephan Smith out of Lynden Faye, a colt the consignor Dr. Roland Armitage had purchased at Harrisburg Pa. for $2,400 the previous fall.
Nine yearlings consigned by ABC Farms, operated by Elgin and Chas. Armstrong of Brampton, grossed $24,700 with an average of $2,744. The highest priced yearling of the grouping was sold to Doug Arthur of Otterville when he handed over $3,700 for a son of Airliner out of the farm mare Armbro Impetus. (No name available).
These early sales were an important part of the early part of Canadian and particularly Ontario harness racing's formative years.
Batavia Downs Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary
In September of 1970 Batavia Downs held a week-long celebration to observe the track's 30th anniversary. When the track opened in 1940 it was just the second location to introduce night racing, following another New York State location, Roosevelt Raceway on Long Island. The largest crowd of the anniversary observance attracted a gathering of 11,254 which was also the track's season high.
The winner of the event designated as the top race of the week was R Yankee Wann, a Canadian invader owned by Campbell Wannamaker of Consecon, Ont. His driver was Rejean Boily, a gentleman long associated with this owner. The race, which carried a purse of $5,500, drew eight entrants. Finishing second was Commander Del, also a Canadian horse, owned, trained and driven by John Hayes Sr. of Columbus, Ont.
These two horses had traded victories in recent starts at Batavia with Commander Del the previous week's winner following two wins in a row taken by R Yankee Wann. Sadly as covered in a fairly recent Rewind, R Yankee Wann died unexpectedly not long after this joyous event. He was taken back home to Belleville for a special race at the local track which he won but fell ill and died shortly thereafter.
It is interesting to note that when Batavia Downs opened way back in 1940 that five of the races on the inaugural card were won by Canadian-owned horses. During this special celebration the winning driver of the first ever race contested at "The Downs" was able to be on hand to join in the festivities. Then 83, " Orangeville Bill" Harvey who won that very first race with a horse named Rip Harvester, was there to be honoured.
Fall Racing At Garden City Raceway
Garden City Raceway, the Ontario Jockey Club's newest track which opened in 1964 was entering its second decade of operation (and its final). Along with Greenwood and Mohawk, racing fans were treated to the finest harness racing found anywhere. During the fall meeting a number of stakes events were highlighted.
One such event was the $11,100 Scarborough Stakes for trotters which saw the mare Gayest Hanover triumph over a field of just five starters for her ninth win in 18 season starts. The four-year-old daughter of Hickory Smoke upped her season's earnings to $44,795 with her 2:05 effort. Finishing second was Hanna Diller for owner-driver John Bosworth while arch rival Aunt Penny took the show spot for driver Bill Stirton and owner Dr. John McKnight.
The win by Gayest Hanover owned by auto dealer Max Webster of Brantford, Ont. put driver Harold McKinley at the $104,000 win mark for his stable's earnings. He became the seventh driver on the Golden Horseshoe Circuit to top the $100,000 plateau that season, a sign of the times. Gayest Hanover went on to win over $50,000 that year and well over $83,000 lifetime.
Also of interest was a late season win by a very young driver Paul Walker from Owen Sound, who scored a victory with his own filly Dottie Patch. The three-year-old homebred daughter of Meadow Battles out of Nancy Patch was in a non-winners of $1,000 lifetime and the score in 2:07.4 was her second career win on the A Circuit for the young Walker who would not turn 18 until December. She had been an earlier winner back at both the Hanover and Owen Sound tracks near her birthplace. By season's end she had registered six wins and earnings of $1,610.
In the previous race for maiden starters on that same card, the winner was Artic Frost driven by Nelson White in 2:08 even. A couple of races later Bill Hicks was a visitor to the winner's circle with Meadow H Dale for P. Allan Grainger.
Speed Marks On The Rise In 1970
By the end of 1969 a total of just 33 miles in 2:00 or less had been registered at Canadian tracks in history. During the 1970 season a total of 16 new sub-2:00 miles were added to the list. That was quite a jump for one season and certainly a sign of things to come.
See below for a 2:00 Trivia Quiz.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
I would like to send my personal best wishes to all Mothers in the Rewind reading audience on this special Mother's Day. You are the best!!
We all owe so much to our mothers that we can never repay them for, and rightfully there should be a lot more than just one day set aside each year. I have a wealth of happy memories created by my own mother and despite the fact that she departed this earth many years ago her positive influence lives on. There is scarcely a day that goes by and often many times a day, I reflect on the lessons she imparted, not necessarily only as a "teacher" but rather as a caring role model.
I have continued to be blessed with a great wife whose mothering skills have now moved to yet another generation as our daughters are also mothers. I am most thankful for her emphasis on the simpler and more meaningful things in life. My life's greatest blessing!
I am grateful to them one and all for making a good life all that much better, and for their devotion to Hearth & Home; the place where true joy and happiness resides.
Chances are if we have any admirable qualities about us, we can thank our Mothers.
Again, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!
Quote For The Week: "A mother is someone who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take."
Special For Mother's Day
Can you identify the winning driver shown above? She had a "perfect" career driving record and is also a mother. Let us know who you think it is. Photo from 1970.
Who Is It?
Can you identify this person and perhaps the horse he is holding?
Who Else Is It?
Can you identify the three gentlemen in the above photo taken at sale many years ago? These fellows along with Bill McDonnell were instrumental in organizing a number of sales which greatly benefited both consignors and buyers during a time when harness racing was rising in popularity.
2:00 Trivia Quiz
The above pictured horse and driver registered two sub-2:00 miles on Canadian soil during the 1970 season. Can you identify one or both of them? Their mile in 1:57.4 was a Greenwood track record at that time.
(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)