SC Rewind: Years Ago - 1970s

This week's Rewind takes readers back to the decade of the 1970s in the monthly feature 'Years Ago'. Robert recalls a number of personalities of the day, both human and equine and as usual displays a few old photographs to accompany the accounts.

1970 - Supertest Stakes Enter Fourth Decade

The popular Supertest Stakes races for two- and three-year-olds of both gaits entered their fourth decade when the calendar turned to 1970.  They first started back in 1944 when a single event was held at the Leamington, Ont. fairgrounds.  It began as an event for two-year-old pacers but eventually was expanded to include four categories.  The winner of the first ever race was Jack E Herbert, a two-year-old from the stable of Bill Herbert and was driven by Floyd Milton.  

By 1970 these races were still being held and by then the purses had risen substantially. In that year's event for two-year-old trotters a field of seven started at Garden City Raceway.  The purse was $11,690 which was the second highest in history for that grouping, about $400 less than the 1969 event.  

The winner of the 1970 race was Fireside Brandy, owned by Leroy Revington of Lucan, Ont. This gelded son of Bombs Away was one of the last he sired.  In the sulky on this day was a catch driver 30-year-old Wm. Wellwood, who handled him perfectly in the mile in 2:10.1 for just his second season win.  Up for second money was Speedy Echo (Ron Waples) with Misti Lee Frost third with Bill Carroll in the bike.

Fireside Brandy and driver Bill Wellwood reach the wire a winner in the 1970 Supertest Trot for two-year-old trotters at Garden City.

Around the time that the O.S.S. began, which was 1974, this long-running series was phased out.

1971 - Windsor Raceway Happenings

March 1971: As Windsor Raceway closed out their winter racing schedule on Thursday, March 25, a crowd of 5,695 fans were on hand to bid the pacers and trotters adieu until fall.  A number of presentations were part of the evening as the Raceway honoured several individuals and horses.

Local star Greg Wright took home one of the Molson awards as top dash winner with 66 wins to his credit.  This total combined with his fall production gave him 150 victories for the two-meet season.  Walter Weese of Dresden edged out Michigan horseman Jim Curran for the top training average of. 385 to. 371

Millie Fenn (left) receives a mink coat from Mrs. Reilly (Windsor Star photo)

In a fairly new category, non-driving trainer Bruce Fenn was the recipient of an award for his outstanding win total.  Much of his success came about because of the 10-win performance of the trotter Beginners Luck.  In a surprise trackside appearance Dan and Alaire Reilly, the owners of Beginners Luck, presented Bruce Fenn's wife with a mink coat.  Mrs. Reilly did the honours. Their feeling was that Bruce's wife Millie was just as responsible for the horse's success as was her husband.  

Race winning drivers on getaway night were Wes Coke, Jerry Duford, Don Larkin,  Pat Crowe (2),  Mike Novick Jr. (2),  Chas Grunkmeyer,  Greg Wright and George Hawke.

1973 - Handle With Care: Undefeated

Handle With Care went 17-for-17 this season as a two-year-old and in the process rewrote virtually every record in the books. At year's end, the filly owned by Irving Liverman of Hampstead, Que. had established a record of 2:00.2 on a five-eighths mile track and earned more money than any two-year-old pacing filly in history. Her bankroll amounted to $141,124 with the great Billy Haughton as her regular driver.

The daughter of Meadow Skipper was named Canada's Harness Horse of the Year with 11 of her victories coming on Canadian soil. In the U.S. she faced somewhat stiffer competition for a similar honour which was won by Sir Dalrae, who garnered 187 votes while the Canadian-owned miss collected just a single tally.

1974 - Canadian Horse Wins Battle Of Brandywine

Track officials from Brandywine Raceway in Delaware on the left,  present a silver bowl to driver Mike Guitard and owner Gratien Dechene (far right) following a major victory with Barons Boy.  The owner is an electrical contractor from Quebec City and races under the name La Ferme Sagbec.

On June 1, 1974 the Canadian-owned and trained three-year-old son of Baron Hanover Barons Boy romped home a division winner in the Battle Of Brandywine race.  In a rather large field of 10 starters the lightly-raced first foal of Painted Sunset scored in an impressive 1:58.3.  Finishing second was Boyden Hanover for George Sholty with Junior Hanover and Abe Stolzfus taking third.  Mike Guitard is the regular driver while Ray Moreau does the training.

With earnings of $28,125 from this outing, Barons Boy upped his 1971 bankroll to $39,800 and lifetime earnings to $72,366.  In the other division of this race the winner was Taro Hanover with Vernon Dancer driving for the Lucky M Stable.  With such standouts as Armbro Omaha finishing out of the money in fourth spot the winner lit up the tote board with a $2 ticket paying $ 82.20 to win!

As a two-year-old, Barons Boy won seven races and finished third twice in 15 outings while racing exclusively at Canadian tracks.  He took a record of 2:01.1 at Rideau Carleton.

Rewind Turns 16!

Back on June 6, 2009 the first ever edition of Rewind appeared on this website.  It has been a fun ride and I thank those who regularly read and enjoy the weekly columns. Isn't there an old saying, "Time flies when you're having fun"?

Quote For The Week: "One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from a horse master. He told me to go slow to go fast. I think that applies to everything in life. We live as though there aren’t enough hours in the day but if we do each thing calmly and carefully we will get it done quicker and with much less stress." – Viggo Mortensen

Who Is It?  

Can you identify this fellow?  He also did a lot of "flying" on the racetrack.

Who Else Is It #1?  

Can you identify these two chaps who were at an awards banquet following the 1973 season?  

Who Else Is It #2?  

Can You name these two fellows as they appeared about 40 years ago?  Both were U.S. drivers, New England area.  The gent on the left passed away in 2021 but the other fellow is still with us.  

(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)

Blast From The Past

In 1970 the price of a pair of shoes suitable for inclusion in the wardrobe of a harness racing driver is pictured above at $41.00.  The price had risen a bit but they do look like a nice pair ! (Courtesy of Horseman & Fair World magazine)

Note: A few years ago in 2019,  I devoted a Rewind to the shoes that horse people wear and the following comment was received from Bill O'Donnell: "The first pair of Butler boots that I bought in 1965 from Irene Thibideau at Rockingham Park were $12 US."