In this week's Rewind, Robert Smith presents the regular monthly edition of "Picture Parade." His selection of older pictures was chosen to coincide with the upcoming Camluck Classic race scheduled for Friday, May 29 at Western Fair Raceway. Feel free to join in by sending along your best guesses on all, or just a chosen few.
London's signature race, now called the Camluck Classic, has a very long and colourful history that dates back over 50 years to 1972. The race has had three names. The Labatt Pace started it all off in 1972. Then, in 1992, due to a change in sponsorship, it became the Molson Pace. The current version, The Camluck Classic, was introduced in 2018.
All of today's photos feature past winners of this great race.
#1 - Here is an early race winner. Can you name the driver? I am guessing the two gents in suits were representing Labatt's Brewery.
#2 - This one goes back to the 1970s. Can you name the driver and perhaps the horse? This was a pretty big win for a very young driver who was really just starting out in his career. This race provided a special milestone in not only Labatt Pace history, but also the London track. Can you come up with it?
#3 - A lot went on before this winner was declared. There are tons of people to try to identify.
#4 - This young driver was a Western Fair original in 1961 and, a few years later, was back to gain a popular win with a very well-known horse. Can you name him and the connections?
#5 - This driver travelled a rather long way from his home base to pick up a win. Can you identify him and anyone else present?
#6 - This young driver was a multiple-time winner of the Labatt and later Molson Invitationals. Whom can you name?
#7 - This driver was no stranger to anyone at the London track and won a number of these famous races. Who is it? And maybe you can name the winning trainer who is also in the photo?
#8 - This winner had a faraway owner but a very local driver. Can you name the driver and give any more info?
#9 - The winning horseman in this photo was a true "catch driver" and was in London to nab a win in a very early Labatt Invitational Pace. Can you name the horse and driver?
#10 - Here's a pretty modern-day picture to close out this Picture Parade lineup. How many can you identify?
Bonus Photo
Who do we have here? Can you name all three?
My thanks to Greg Blanchard for his assistance with the pictures this week.
(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)
Quote For The Week: "What did the buffalo say when his boy left for college?
...
BISON"
Blast From The Past
Here is a nice old photo taken many years ago at the Western Fair track in London.