SC Rewind: Years Ago – 1940s

In his weekly feature, Robert Smith takes a look back at some people and events from harness racing in the 1940s in the SC Rewind decade flashback, "Years Ago".

1940

Fans in attendance at the track on August 7 in St. Hyacinthe, Que., were treated to some excellent racing over a recent two-day period. The main organizer of the events held at this oval is Mr. A. R. Demers, the race secretary, and much praise is being directed his way these days. The names of drivers such as Larente, Dussault, Lachapelle, Larochelle, Giguere, Laprade, DuPont, Bisson and "Red" Tilden were listed in virtually every race. The mile times were all exceptionally fast with the best of the meet turned in by Victor Lee who paced two heats in 2:07 flat with Mr. Jules Giguere in the sulky to win the lion's share of the $200 purse.

1942

Saints Park in Wallaceburg, Ont., a privately owned track has been donated free of charge by the owners for two race days this season to benefit the war effort. All proceeds received from admissions and other income will be given to a charity called "Milk For Britain" and also to send cigarettes to overseas soldiers. The first race day was held on May 25 and attracted a crowd of some 3,500 people. The day featured nine heats of the finest racing seen in these parts for many years. The feature event was taken by Beulah Dale owned and driven by Lindley Fraser of Forest, Ont. Several other well known horsemen such as Alfie Moore, Allan Elliot, Norm McIntyre, Spike McPhail, Stu Simpson, Billy Neville, Fred Wilmore, Marshall Moore and "Army Bill" Farrow were also participants this year. Music was supplied by the Wallaceburg Kiltie Band.

Racing in general has been seriously affected by the war as many young men normally engaged in racing activities have been called into the service. A unusually large number of horses are currently for sale due to lack of suitable help and a few towns will not have their usual race days. The CNE grounds are now totally dedicated to wartime activities and no Exhibition will be held this year.

1943

A recent write up in the Cleveland Ohio paper The Plain Dealer , had a lot to say about a Canadian reinsman named Clint Hodgins. It said in part "Hodgins at the age of 36 is regarded by veteran observers as the best young horseman on the Grand Circuit, rated close behind the veteran masters Tom Berry and Sep Palin in the matter of steering horses into the money. A late bloomer because his father didn't want him entering the business, Hodgins said "he wanted me to stay on the farm and work, but I had a horse of my own and one day traded horses with another fellow and got myself a real "racer.” His new horse Billy Wilkes won his first start for the young reinsman while debuting at Exeter and that was the start of it all. Since then Clint has raced through Canada, Indiana, Ohio, New York and elsewhere establishing himself as a "comer" among the driving set.

1944

On August 2, 1944, one driver captured eight of nine heats at the Renfrew, Ont. track. Cecil Champion, a very talented reinsman who is known throughout Eastern Ontario, was the proverbial "Man of the Hour" as he put on a show of driving excellence for an appreciative crowd. He was a three-heat winner behind Miss Dillon Mc and won two heats with Miller Brooke, both owned by J. W. Shaver of Avonmore. In the trotting event he was again a three-heat winner with Charles Axworthy for prominent owner Mr. Hugh Proudfoot of Fort Coulonge P.Q. Mr. Champion works out of his home base of Chesterville, Ont. Many observers believe that Mr. Champion will eventually venture to the larger U. S. tracks and try his luck.

One of today's judges was John Findlay Sr. of Arnprior. His son John Jr. (Dr.) had an entry in the Free For All class and ended his driving day with a standing of 4-5-3 behind Bert Patch. He is also racing J. C. Volo and Slippery Sue this season but neither was entered in today's contests.

1945

It appears that horsemen and fans alike will have a great year out west as The Manitoba Great Western Racing Circuit has quite a schedule planned which will provide 22 days of racing. Racing starts on June 6 at Glenboro and makes 12 more stops before concluding at Hamiota on July 25. Here are the towns in order of their racing dates. Souris, Pilot Mound, Deloraine, Virden, Carman, Brandon, Dauphin, Portage La Prairie, Yorkton, Russell , Melita and on to Hamiota. The biggest purses of the season will be offered at Brandon where three stakes races will go postward for $600 each. Gordon Peck of Carman, Man., is the president of the Association and Miss B. M. Benson of Brandon is the secretary. A total of over $24,000 will be offered in purses.