SC Rewind: Brees Brief Makes History

In the latest edition of Rewind,  Robert Smith recalls the outstanding performance by the pacing filly Brees Brief in winning the 1985 Fan Hanover Stake for three-year-old filly pacers at Greenwood.  That was a highlight of the 1985 season, so nearly 40 years ago.  

​

In 1982 the front cover of that year's Little Brown Jug carried a picture of the great Fan Hanover, winner of the previous year's Jug.  Her victory was a major historical event as she became the first filly to ever win this famous race in the 35 years it had been held.   Now with yet another 43 years of history her record remains unchanged.  Each year a major stake race is held now at Woodbine Mohawk Park to commemorate this great performer. 

Brees Brief Wins 1985 Fan Hanover Stake

Driver Steve Condren  stares back at his closest pursuer as he opens up an eight length lead on the field to win the 1985 Fan Hanover Stake. Photo by Steve Tombosso 

On the evening of Friday, June 14, 1985 at Greenwood Raceway history was in the making as a great young filly pacer named Brees Brief lowered a Canadian record that had stood for three years.  At this point in history it seemed that not many records lasted that long.  The Canadian standard for a three-year-old filly pacer had stayed at 1:56.3 since 1982.  It appeared that there was something magical connected with that exact time as several brilliant fillies had all reached that exact mark.   

In 1982 Bartross and Programmed set the standard at Greenwood and Blue Bonnets, respectively.  The following year Armbro Bramble and Tarport Myrtle scored winning miles in that exact time at Blue Bonnets and Edmonton. After no one added their names to the list in 1984, earlier in the 1985 season  two more talented young filly pacers again scored in 1:56.3. This time it was Silent Cat at Mohawk and Verda Hanover at Blue Bonnets that stopped the timer again in that magical mile time.  That made it a total of six!  

June 14th and the Fan Hanover Stake was when the great filly Brees Brief stepped up and broke this proverbial "log jam." After two elimination heats,  each for a purse of $25,950 and each featuring six top three-year-old fillies,  the stage was set.  In the first elim the winner was Romantic Fling owned by Louis Gordon of Montreal and trained by Duncan MacTavish.  She was driven by Keith Waples. Her winning time of 2:00.3 was well below what was expected but it was sufficient for the victory.  

In the second division a much quicker tempo saw Silent Cat step to a winning mile in 1:57.1. In the sulky was Don McElroy for trainer Dale Baker and the owners of the Glory B Stable.  Apparently a fall during a race the week previous did not have any lasting effects on her.  Finishing second was Brees Brief for Steve Condren and Skippers Finale was third in her very first start of the year.  

In the final eight starters were expected but soon after the elims were completed Idylwood Bonnie was deemed a veterinary scratch. This reduced the field to seven.  With just five minutes to go to post time,  another scratch was announced as Skippers Finale also made an exit.  The final was now a field of six. 

In the final Silent Cat was first away and held the lead much of the way and in the process waged quite a battle with For Your Eyes Only. In what was described as "brutal fractions" she hit the opening marker in :27.4 and the half in :56.2.  She continued the torrid pace reaching the three-quarter pole in 1:25.2.  At this point it appeared as though her earlier duel took its toll and she began to falter ever so slightly. At this stage of the race Brees Brief took over and breezed to a convincing win, all by herself at the wire.  Officially the margin of victory was listed as eight lengths. Second was Romantic Fling with Keystone Chick and Silent Cat next in line.  

Brees Brief after being the O.J.C.'s freshman filly pacer of 1984 returned to Greenwood to not only capture the already prestigious Fan Hanover stakes,  she also rewrote the record books.  Owned by the Surge Stable, Mansoor Stable and Dr. Richard Wylie she was trained by Stew Firlotte.  The new Canadian record she set ironically stayed in the family as Firlotte and the Surge Stable connection teamed up to campaign Programmed, one of the current record holders.  

Closing Note: The Fan Hanover Stake was first held on July 1, 1983 at Greenwood Raceway.  One of the nice aspects of this race is that Dr. Glen Brown,  a very special personality involved with Fan Hanover as her only owner, was nearly always present for the winner's circle trophy presentation.  I noticed that when this year's race was held on N.A. Cup night,  Lynne Hague, the daughter of the late Dr. Glen and his wife Pat, was on hand to do the honours.  The 1:48.2 mile paced by this year's winner Its A Love Thing equalled the stakes, track and Canadian record established by American Jewel in 2012 and matched by Sylvia Hanover last year. They go a little faster than in 1985. 

Quote For The Week: " Drink for the thirsty. Food for the hungry. Lodging for the weary." -  A sign in a 1770's Tavern in Machias, Maine. 

Who Is It?  

Can you name the two drivers shown above both with green and white driving silks?  Name a horse if you wish.  (Abahazy photo collection)

Who Else Is It?  

Can you name these two "not so old" fellows?  

(Standardbred Canada)