SC Rewind: Memories From 1986

In this week's edition of Rewind Robert Smith takes a nostalgic look back to 30 years ago which was 1986. He revives a potpourri of names, faces and happenings from that year and includes numerous pictures to better recall the times.

Thirty years ago harness racing was enjoying a prosperous decade. The big "A" tracks especially in Ontario and Quebec were racing year round, and the smaller "B" circuit was thriving in most areas as well. All of the elements required to sustain racing were still working. There was still a good fan base that attended and enjoyed live racing even though things were starting trend in a another direction as the decade closed.

I have grouped the information under two headings to hopefully make it more readable:

January through June 1986

As the calendars changed from 1985 to 1986, a lot of racing activity was underway in Canada, all across the land. In alphabetical order the following tracks were in action for winter racing with cards surrounding the New Year Holiday. Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, Barrie Raceway, Blue Bonnets in Montreal, Calgary's Stampede Park, Cloverdale in Surrey B.C., Connaught Park, Flamboro Downs, Greenwood in Toronto, Kawartha Downs, Kingston Park, Orangeville Raceway, Pre Vert in Jonquiere Quebec, Quebec City, Sudbury Downs, Western Fair in London and lastly Windsor Raceway.

Effective Jan. 6th Kent Williams assumed the position of Race Secretary and Publicity Director at Orangeville Raceway. He was expected to continue to call the races as well.

In the first major event of the new season on Sunday, January 12th at Flamboro, Reanna was a winner in the popular Matchmaker Series Final. The then four-year-old chestnut mare was owned and trained by Wm. Durbridge of Dutton, Ont. and driven by Dave Wall. With a purse of $20,600, the winner's portion started this young mare off to another great start after picking up over $110,000 the previous season.

Avalon Raceway the only pari-mutuel harness facility on the island of Newfoundland was offered for sale by public tender. Faced with declining wagering and a dwindling horse population the owners made the decision to sell.

The Meadowlands' 176-date 1986 season began on January 9th and was scheduled to conclude on August 2nd with Hambletonian Day. Last year a crowd of 37,562 wagered $4,412,057 on the big race, with Prakas sweeping the event in straight heats.

Horseman Dave Downey left Calgary to join Champlain Park in New Brunswick as Race Secretary and Assistant General Manager. He was returning to his home Province following an 11-year stint in Western Canada. Prior to his departure a surprise party was held in his honour and several gifts were given to recognize his contributions both on and off the track. At age 36, he had already chalked up over 800 wins as a driver.

A total of 66 North American stallions were listed as standing for a fee of $5,000 or more in 1986. Heading the list was Albatross at $75,000, Speedy Crown - $50,000, Niatross and Sonsam at $40,000, Nihilator - $35,000, followed by Bret Hanover,Super Bowl and Tyler B all at $35,000. Cam Fella was standing in New Jersey for $25,000.

Note - Canadian breeders could get a bargain with the fee of Balanced Image remaining at $3,000.

In March, Northlands Park hosted several major stake races that attracted some top talent from Ontario. Armbro Cruiser with trainer Garth Gordon driving for owners Randy, Brian and Leonard Coulson of Milton, captured a division of the Prairie Pacing Series in a cold weather mile of 1:57.1.

On May 29th, Georges Giguere passed away at the age of 66. For several decades he had organized and promoted the sport at Montreal's two big tracks and guided the sport in many ways. He was credited with organizing one of the greatest days in Canadian harness racing history when in 1961 he brought Adios Butler to Richelieu Park for a huge Sunday crowd, a day that is still talked about by veteran race fans.

By June the great mare Turola Hanover was enjoying an 18 straight win streak for trainer-driver Butch Sifert. She was originally a product of the Doug Arthur stable before being sold to Western Canada interests.

On May 27th a group of the best lady drivers on the Continent made an appearance at Flamboro Downs as part of the North American Lady Harness Driving Championship. Karen Fekete was the winner with 138 points. From left are Janet Irvine, Betsy Philips, Danielle Duquet, Karen Fekete, Linda Duncan, Susan Looney, Cindy Horner and Barb Newell. In the centre left is Charles Juravinski, track Pres. and O.R.C. Chairman Frank Drea on hand to present the awards.

July Thru December 1986

The 1986 edition of the Hambletonian went to Nuclear Kosmos for trainer Per Henriksen and four-time world driving champion Ulf Thoresen. Bred by Gestion Belvedere Inc. of Montreal, Que., this was the first time a Canadian-bred horse won the Hambletonian.

September statistics for Canadian Season's Champions showed a two-year-old pacing colt named REWIND (Springer-Ann B Good) at the top of the five-eighths mile list with a winning mile of 1:58 for driver Dave Wall taken at Windsor Raceway on June 14. This was a full two seconds off the existing all-time Canadian record of 1:56 set in 1985 by Amity Chef.

Tony Kerwood shown above, a young 28-year-old trainer and driver from Bowmanville was kept pretty busy in 1986 splitting his time between Greenwood Raceway in Toronto and Roosevelt Raceway in New York City.

The five-year-old trotter Robins Wonder had an outstanding year with Paul MacDonell in the sulky for owners Doug Gambsby and Jack Williams, also the trainer. According to mid-year statistics this horse led all trotters listed under Canadian ownership in terms of money won with $97,220 already on his '86 card and over $265,000 lifetime.

Billy Haughton sitting behind 1985 Little Brown Jug winner Nihilator. He won the famous race on five occasions spread over three decades.

On July 15, 1986 the entire world of harness racing mourned the loss of its favourite personality when famed horseman Wm. "Billy" Haughton passed away at age 62. His death resulted from injuries sustained in an accident at Yonkers Raceway on July 5th.

The 1986 Cane Pace at Yonkers Raceway July 27 was won by Barberry Spur driven by "The Magic Man" Wm. O'Donnell with a clocking of 1:52.4. The win marked a return to the horse's winning ways after tasting defeat in six straight races. Amity Chef, a Canadian entry and co-favourite finished third after experiencing a lot of road trouble in the final.

McIntosh Harness Supply in Wheatley advertised a full line of supplies for all horse people. A special "Yearling Prep Package" was offered for $49.95. It included a body brush, plastic curry, mane and tale comb, a 16 oz. container of Show Sheen and a leather halter and name plate. Another July special was an AYRES cooler at $29.95 each.

Have truck, will travel...Horseman Carman Hie is shown with his Chevy Wrangler pickup and two-horse goose neck Westing trailer that was his pride and joy in 1986.

London's signature event in 1986 The Labatt's Pace went to Next Night Out, driven by Larry Walker and trained by Wm. Robinson with a winning time of 1:58.4. This was well off the track record of 1:56.2 set in 1981 by another Robinson trainee Lime Time, driven by Doug Brown. This marked the first time in six years that either Doug Brown or Dave Wall had not been the winning driver. The purse for this event was $35,000.

The winner of the 1986 Walter Dale Memorial Race was Burners Delight handled by Wally Hennessey in 1:59.3. This was his third win in this event having taken home victories behind Pennant Play in 1981 and Gemini Risk in 1984.

In 1986, Canadian-born horseman Lucien Fontaine made only 177 starts but set numerous track records behind the horse he is best known -- Forrest Skipper. The duo had a perfect 15-for-15 season setting records everywhere they went.

Canadian-owned Lustras Big Guy was the top money winner and fastest horse in the first half of 1986. His clocking of 1:52.4 taken at The Meadowlands coupled with earnings of $214,150 gave him the nod in both categories. This speedster sired by Big Towner was owned by Alvin and Bob McIntosh (also the trainer) and Daniel Smith and was driven by Wm. O'Donnell.

The Maple Leaf Trot, held on July 21 at Greenwood, went to Grades Singing and driver Herve Filion. Her clocking of 1:57.2 set a new track record for aged mares and equalled Bridger's all-time mark. With two heat wins in this day, the now four-year-old mare notched wins 13 and 14 on the year for owners Ferme Grande of St. Basile Le Grande, Que.

As of July 1, a number of Canadian drivers were nearing milestones. They are shown below with their current wins in brackets:

Nearing the 3,000 Win Plateau
Terry Kerr (2,977 wins)

Nearing the 2,500 Win Plateau
Wm. Wellwood (2,477 wins)
Ray McLean Sr. (2,471 wins)

Nearing the 1,500 Win Plateau
Carman Hie (1,479 wins)
Wm. "Bud" Fritz (1,414 wins)
Larry Walker (1,411 wins)
Jerry Duford (1,410 wins)

The 1986 edition of the C.S.H.S. Yearling Sale was the best in the event's 24-year history. First-crop colts sired by two of the all-time greats, Cam Fella and Ralph Hanover understandably fetched the highest prices of the sale. The sale's average selling price was $15,967, up substantially (over $1,600) from the previous year's figure of $14,342.

Chris and Kathy Van Bussel of Seelster Farms admire Aida Seelster, the highest priced trotting filly of the 1986 sale. The daughter of Worthy Bowl - Armbro Valerie sold to King Valley Farms for $50,000. (Photo by John Jones)

The Village Smithy (First verse of famous poem)

Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.

The above pictured gentleman served as the official blacksmith at the February 17, 1980 Canadian Club Classic Ice Racing Carnival held on the Rideau Canal. This fellow is parked out on the ice and is seen hammering a shoe on his anvil. Unfortunately his name was not recorded on the picture. Can anyone in the reading audience identify him? your help would be appreciated!