In this week's edition of Rewind, Robert Smith takes readers back to the year 1976, thus 50 years ago, for some golden memories. He recalls some highlights, winning performances and old pictures that relate back to those days. After all, a half century has passed since then.
THE MEADOWLANDS OPENS
On September 1, 1976, a new chapter in the long history of harness racing began when the brand new Meadowlands track opened. It featured numerous new and exciting concepts, topped off by a mile track, somewhat of a departure from most other racing venues. The first-ever race was won by an all-Canadian entry, Quick Baron. This history-making horse was trained and driven by 29-year-old Ray Remmen for owners the Whebby Brothers of Dartmouth, N.S.
A view of the Meadowlands opening - Sept. 1, 1976.
While the official opening night attendance was listed as 42,144, a local New Jersey paper listed it as being slightly higher. Maybe just a little rounding, as journalists are sometimes prone to do. Reportedly, many would-be fans were turned away due to space limitations.
Many of the sport's top horsemen were on hand for the inaugural meeting. And remember, at this time most top drivers were also trainers, and most had sizable stables under their supervision. A few of the familiar names included Ray Remmen, Ted Wing, Jim Doherty, Bud Gilmour, Lew Williams, Greg Wright, John Simpson Jr., Bill Haughton, Bob Farrington and Jimmy Larente, to name just a few.
Perhaps difficult to believe, but a six-year-old gelding pacer soon became the hero of opening night and continued his popularity throughout the new track's opening season. That horse was Rambling Willie. He helped christen the new track by taking a new personal mark of 1:55.3 in the opening-night feature. He won over $250,000 that season, raising his lifetime total to $658,000.
Rambling Willie in the Meadowlands winner's circle on opening night, 1976, after winning the feature race. Far left is Joe DeFrank, Director of Racing; third from left next to the horse is "Broadway Joe" Namath, football great, and Bob Farrington, driver. To his right is David "Sonny" Werblin of the Meadowlands Racetrack. The caretaker is Mike Martin, one of many who had that job over the years.
OSS ACTIVITY
By 1976, the very new Ontario Sires Stakes program was in just its third season of competition. Each year brought more competitors, usually faster times and increased interest from all sectors. Racing fans came out in much larger numbers whenever the travelling series came to town.
Despite the trend to much faster horses resulting in lower race times, the stakes series had yet to experience a 2:00 mile. That would happen the following year. In the inaugural year, the highest money earner was Terry Parker, who banked $63,871. In 1975, year two, the amazing trotting colt Snegem Flight flirted with the $100,000 mark when he banked $96,114 via the OSS alone.
In 1976, at age two, the roan colt Double Gene and co-owner/driver Wes Coke led the pack as he earned a nifty $89,848 in OSS competition. This was the most earned by a pacer in the first three years of the series. Coke had success with a number of performers on the OSS trail, often working with his father, Cecil. They were from Petrolia, Ont.
RAMBLING WILLIE WINS THE CANADIAN PACING DERBY
In 1976, the fabled Canadian Pacing Derby reached its 40th year of existence. It was first held in 1936, continuing in its original home at New Hamburg, Ont., for 21 years before being discontinued in 1957. In 1965, it was revived and found a new home at Greenwood Raceway in Toronto.
During the New Hamburg era, U.S.-owned horses were seldom entered, probably due to purse size and travel complications related to border crossings. Finally, in 1954, a U.S. horse named Warpath won Canada's top race. He was owned by the Saunders Mills stable of Perrysburg, Ohio, and driven by Don Hall, a leading reinsman of the day. That year the purse had risen to $5,000, its highest point of that era.
By 1976, times had changed and numerous U.S. horses made the trip to Toronto to compete. The 1976 winner was none other than the amazin' Rambling Willie. He was returned a Derby winner three years in a row, first in a dead heat with Pickwick Baron in 1975 and then on his own in 1976 and 1977.
Windsor's Provincial Cup Gets Repeat Winner
Provincial Cup, Windsor - This beautiful trophy was displayed in the Windsor clubhouse for many years. (Author's collection)
On March 11, Windsor Raceway held its signature race, the Provincial Cup. This was the 11th renewal, and in that short time span the race had three repeat winners, with the third coming in this edition. After winning the Cup in 1975 with Dick Williams II in the sulky, Young Quinn, originally from New Zealand, was a repeat victor in this year's race. This time the winning pilot was Joe Marsh Jr., an Ohioan. They joined Cardigan Bay and Isle Of Wight as two-time winners.
Remember, at this time instant replays were not as available as they are today. Following the day's racing, a gathering of many of the participating drivers and others got together for a socializing session. When winning driver Joe Marsh Jr. finally saw a replay of the race two hours later, he had an unusual comment.
He told a reporter, "Hey, I'm not sure I believe it. I watched that replay and didn't think I would win it even then," he cracked. His thoughts were based on how close he came to not getting out in time to make it to the wire.
The big race was the swan song for Director of Racing Joe DeFrank. He was leaving his post of the last 11 years at Windsor to head to the soon-to-open Meadowlands track in New Jersey. His parting shot was to say, "I'll be happy if I can put a few fields together like this one over in Jersey."
Quote For The Week: "I know I'm a lot stronger than my grandfather was. When he bought ten dollars' worth of groceries, it took him half an hour to carry them into the house. When I buy $100.00 worth, I can carry them in with one hand." - An old tale told by a guy named Ronnie Mac. He never ran out of stories.
Who Is It?
These two fellows had a couple of things very much in common. They both had wins in Windsor's Provincial Cup and something else. What was it, and who are they?
Who Else Is It? No. 1
The above-pictured horse and driver were tremendous standouts in O.S.S. competition during the 1976 and 1977 seasons. They won 26 of 34 starts. Who are they?
Who Else Is It? No. 2
The above-pictured horse (5) and driver were tremendous standouts in O.S.S. competition during the 1976 and 1977 seasons. Who are they?
(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)