In this week's 'Rewind' Robert Smith offers up a mainly pictorial column of vintage photographs from numerous old scenes involving the changing face of harness racing down through the years. Change is often subtle in nature, but over time everything inevitably changes and evolves.
Today's photos were chosen at random and intended to cover a wide range of topics and locations. Hopefully you will enjoy taking a look back at some perhaps almost forgotten times.
When the mobile starting gate became a reality in 1946, it was viewed as one of the greatest innovations in the history of harness racing. Pictured above was the new vehicle in use at Roosevelt Raceway operated by Steve Philips originally from Xenia, Ohio.
That same year 1946, the Philips gate was used for the very first time to start the Hambletonian which is now about to celebrate its 100th anniversary. In that year's Hambo, Van Riddle — the first Canadian-owned and-bred horse — competed with owner Earl Rowe in the sulky. The horse had never seen a starting gate and reports of the day stated that he tried to beat the gate away at the start.
Silver Lee wins the 1950 Supertest. This was the winner's circle scene following the 1950 Supertest Stakes event held at Tillsonburg, Ont. The winning owner was Mrs. Wm. Tomlinson of Glencoe, Ont. and her husband is shown above as he received the silver tray presented by Supertest officials while driver Levi "Jiggs" McFadden looked on. A note of interest is that the owner's daughter was Jean Tomlinson who married well-known horseman Jack Herbert of London. At one time Mr. Tomlinson operated a livery stable and also delivered rural mail with a horse and buggy around Glencoe.
Silver Lee won both the two- and three-year-old Supertest Stakes races and in so doing earned what was then considered a "nice" sum of money. At the conclusion of the 1950 season the grey miss had just over $4,000 lifetime earnings. This day of racing was one of the biggest on the Ontario circuit and featured a total of 12 heats. Noted horseman Keith Waples then just 26 was on hand that day and won the opening heat of the Supertest with a filly named Miss Chipso. He was 3-4 in the final two heats. At the time he was racing daily at Thorncliffe Park in Toronto.
The above undated photo was taken at Orangeville, Ont. during a race day. For many years annual race meetings were held at this Dufferin County town. Dr. Wm. Riddell, a well-known local veterinarian and harness racing enthusiast, organized the races for a very long time. In the modern age by 1970, a new venture was started by Keith and Murray Waples along with Jim Keeling that staged harness racing at this site for a number of years.
When the pacing mare Grace Abbe experienced a broken wheel on her sulky at Sydney, N.S., her day's racing came to a sudden halt. Driver George Lewis (in racing silks) was soon the recipient of a lot of help as many onlookers, some family members, joined in finishing the race. This old photo is symbolic of the dedication of those who participate in harness racing.
This very early photo shows the racetrack known as Parc Richelieu in Montreal. A view of the automobiles on the premises indicate that this may have been from perhaps the late 1930's. By the 1950's Richelieu Park became a major raceway and operated for many years along with the nearby Blue Bonnets track.
Famed reinsman Thomas Murphy and Rose Scott 1:59 3/4 are shown in a warmup mile during the 1920's. Take note that the drivers wore a number on their sleeve at this time. This gentleman was one of the leading horsemen of this era and his stable was loaded with talented performers, always racing on the Grand Circuit.
This old photo was taken at a beauty contest at Old Woodbine in 1948. "52 of the prettiest gals in TO" was the original caption that accompanied publication of this photo.
This is a view of a rather rustic paddock which was a new addition to harness racing as in the early days at the fairs horses raced directly from the stables. It is from Northville Downs outside Detroit. A number of Canadian horsemen including Harold Carr, Alf and Marshall Moore, Bud Gibson and Harold Wellwood raced there when night racing began in 1944 (Harness Horse photo)
This scene from Charlottetown Driving Park was taken in 1949 during Old Home Week. The crowds filled every square inch of the stands while many spectators stood in the infield. A few brave viewers were actually on the track as racing was held.
Racing action at New Annan, P.E.I. The surroundings were pretty basic but the fans came out in droves. They loved their harness racing and that "love" has remained strong throughout the Maritimes to this day.
This old horse transport is reminiscent of a time long ago. The company slogan read "Horses Hauled From Here Or There To Anywhere." One of the very early horse transport companies was based in Chester, Pa. and operated by Ralph G. Smith, who started out moving furniture. After many years in business this firm closed around 2010.
Quote For The Week (More of a short story):
When we were growing up my older sister's best friend got a summer job at a local dairy bar. When the owner, Mr. Langford, was training her he said, "We offer two sizes of ice cream cones; 5 cents and 10 cents. If anyone orders a 5 cent cone, make it so damn small that they will never order another one!"
Who Is It?
Can you identify these two young lads? I believe they were at a sale.
Who Else Is It?
Can you put a correct name on this gentleman? He served in many important roles over the years and hailed from a noted racing background.
The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.