SC Rewind: Florida Hall Of Fame Opens

In the latest Rewind Robert Smith recalls the opening of a rather special place intended to pay tribute to harness racing history in the great State of Florida.  His piece describes how this State's Hall Of Fame started and who the original inductees were.  

The State of Florida has provided a rather unique niche in harness racing history.  While some great harness racing action has been held in the State, particularly at Pompano Park,  the "Sunshine State" has been home to countless training sites.  Many of the great horses in the sport received their first lessons there.  It has served as the winter home to many of the great stables of the past, providing a much more "creature friendly" climate for both human and equine participants.  

Back in 1974, thus almost 50 years ago, the decision was made to establish Florida's own Harness Racing Hall of Fame.  The State's long and colourful history involving harness racing certainly was worthy of having its own body to recognize the many individuals, both human and equine,  that had strong connections to the sport.  While none of the original cast, at least the humans, were born there they all had very strong ties to the State of Florida.  

The enshrinement and dedication ceremonies were held on Sunday April 7, 1974 at the Seminole Turf Club at Casselberry, Fl. At the time a committee was being chosen to elect other new members to the Hall in the future.  

The original inductees included three very talented and successful horsemen, a famous training center and its namesake,  and a total of 10 individual horses, all very accomplished as well.    

The three horsemen honored were Canadian-born Clint Hodgins,  Frank Ervin and John F. Simpson Sr. All of these legendary horsemen were already members of the Living Hall of Fame at Goshen, N.Y.  Although none of these fellows were from Florida they all maintained homes in Orlando at the time of their induction.  Thankfully all of these gentlemen were living at the time of this opening ceremony and were on hand to receive appropriate plaques and to witness the unveiling of large colored portraits of themselves.  

The 10 great horses all started their illustrious careers training in Florida.  Seven of the ten trotters honoured at the opening were winners of the Hambletonian.  Greyhound, Isolas Worthy, Mary Reynolds, Rosalind, The Ambassador, Volo Song and Titan Hanover.  The remaining three were all greats in their own right, they were Scotland, Mr McElwyn and Rodney.  Some pretty deserving choices on all selections.  

FRANK ERVIN 

Frank Ervin with Bret Hanover 

He stood third in career two minute miles with 108, among which were the first 2:00 mile by a two-year-old filly trotter. He was the winning driver of both the Hambletonian and The Jug.  He had more than 1,200 winner's circle bows since the U.S.T.A. was formed in 1939, and undoubtedly quite a few before that time.   His three-year involvement as trainer and driver of the great Bret Hanover placed him in rare company.  

CLINT HODGINS 

Canadian-born Hodgins was a winner of over 1,600 races since 1939 and at the time of induction was still active as a trainer and driver although he was not as involved as during his heyday.  He first saw stardom with the great trotting mare Proximity but also campaigned several great ones such as Adios Butler, a Jug winner and the incomparable Bye Bye Byrd. He was a dominant force at the great Roosevelt and Yonkers tracks for many years.  Later in his career he spent his winters in Florida at Orlando. 

Very late in his career in 1974 (this same year), Clint was a top competitor in the first year of the new Ontario Sires Stakes program in his native Province. 

JOHN F SIMPSON SR. 

John Simpson Sr. with Hickory Smoke winner of 1957 Hambletonian as they appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, an honour in itself. 

This gentleman had victories in virtually every major stake in the sport including two wins in the Hambletonian as well as three Jug triumphs.  Retired from the sulky by this time he was the president and general manager of Hanover Shoe Farms.  He was also being followed in the sport by his two sons John Jr. and James. 

BEN WHITE & BEN WHITE RACEWAY 

Ben White legendary horseman, peers over the famous training track named after him in Orlando, Florida.  

Originally from a small hamlet in Ontario called Whitevale, Ben White left his native Canada at a very young age to pursue a career in harness racing.  White trained or drove an amazing five winners of the Hambletonian between 1927 and 1943.

The following is a quote from a Rewind published on this website in January 2010 recalling the Ben White facility. 

"When Ben White passed away in 1958 at the age of 85 he had lived to see his dream of southern training reach its full potential. Most of the great horsemen of his generation and several that followed had tutored their pupils in the Florida sunshine."

In a recent conversation with Steven Wolf, President of the Florida Chapter of USHWA and a gentleman very closely connected to the Hall Of Fame in Florida, I received an updated on its current status.  

"Sadly, the brick and mortar of the Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame fell under the wrecking ball recently at Pompano Park. All of the photographs that were on display are now stored in my care. But the Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association is alive and well with 10 current members. Just this past fall we covered the Florida Sire Stakes races at Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Center and held our annual Allen J. Finkelson Scholarships. 

"We even were able to save the 1880's high wheel sulky and horse 'Rusty', who Frances Dodge Van Lennep herself bought and put on display at the track. They will soon be on display at the Davie Horse Center where we are hopeful to be able to put up a permanent home for the Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame."

Quote For The Week: "We should enjoy food and have fun. It is one of the simplest and nicest pleasures in life." -- Julia Child famed TV Chef and author. 

Who Is It? 

Can you name these six people who were captured in a photograph quite a few years ago involving Hall of Fame activities at Goshen?

Where Is It? 

Can you correctly identify the location and name of this once famous site? 

Blast From The Past 

Back in the day this is how an office looked.  No computers, people neatly dressed and everything kept in very special order with all records on paper.  This old 1958 photo was taken  of Rockingham Park Racing Secretary Ted Gibbons with Program Director Margaret Byrne as they went about their race office duties.  (Rockingham Park Archives)