SC Rewind: Years Ago - 1940s

This week's edition of Rewind is the monthly version of Years Ago in which Robert Smith takes readers back to a certain decade and recalls the names and faces that were making the news back then.  This one is all about the 1940's.  I think there are quite a few Rewind readers who either remember the 1940's or at least recall the people who were around during that time. 

The decade of the 1940s was one of the most exciting ever as a number of lasting changes took place that helped to reshape the entire harness racing scene.  In 1940 night time racing under the lights debuted at Roosevelt Raceway.  A few years later in 1946,  the mobile starting gate operated by Steve Philips of Xenia, Ohio went into service also at Roosevelt Raceway. 

While it was a decade of progress and growth it was also a difficult period as WWII closed many tracks.  Also countless young horsemen were called into the military,  creating a huge strain on those who raced horses on a regular basis.  

1940 - Old Home Week At Charlottetown Witnesses Many New Records 

Aug. 13 - 15, 1940 - Numerous horses took new lifetime records during the recently concluded Old Home Week race programs.  Entries from several provinces were on hand for the three-day schedule.  As an example, on opening day the race winners came from Moncton, N.B., Port Hawkesbury, N.S. and Charlottetown, P.E.I. 

Purses were very generous with $400.00 offered each day for the top event  and on the final program the Free For All Trot and Pace went for  $500.00. The fastest mile of the four days was recorded in the FFA when pacing mare Jane Azoff scored in 2:08 3/4 for driver Willard Kelly and owner Charlie Horton of Murray River, P.E.I.  The closing day program featured a total of 13 heats,  a huge day of racing. 

A young P.E.I. driver Joe O'Brien, just 23 years of age, drew rave reviews from everyone in attendance.  Other drivers who were multiple heat winners were Tyndall Semple,  Johnny Conroy, Willard Kelly, Laurie O'Brien,  Billy Hood and Ollie Rudderham.  

Joe O'Brien. a young driver who starred at Old Home Week races in 1940 (Harness Horse Photo)

A view of the huge crowds in attendance at the Charlottetown Driving Park taking in the races during Old Home Week 

1945 - Sorel, Quebec Track Holds Excellent Races 

A privately owned track in Sorel, Que. was very instrumental in promoting harness racing during the decade of the 1940s.  One of the province's top horses was owned there and often raced at the local track called the Royal Race Track. 

From the mid 1940's on the most prolific horse racing in Quebec was Guy H. In this 1945 photo taken at Sorel, Que. he appears in the winner's circle with owner Elzear Cournoyer holding the trophy being presented by track officials. In the sulky was the horse's driver and trainer, Honorat Larochelle accompanied by his very young  son and assistant Denis Larochelle wearing matching colours.

The following is an excerpt from the Harness Horse publication.  It was all about harness racing in the Province of Quebec and one of the new tracks:

"One of the best races of the season at Royal Race Track occurred on July 22, when the pacers turned for the word in the $1,600 Derby Pace, won by Guy H. Three scorching duels were fought, with miles in 2:05, 2:06 1/2 and 2:06. and the large crowd in attendance really had its money's worth that afternoon. On July 29 in another $1,600 Derby Pace, the middle heat won by Guy H. was in 2:04 3/4, indicating that the track, with its long stretches and wide turns. is one of the most truly, super-speedy courses in the country."

The fields were sent away from a special starting chute built on the same plans of the chutes used at the eastern Raceways in the United States. The system of starting the horses in this manner has become very popular with horsemen as well as spectators. The fields are sent away promptly without the continual scoring that is always the custom in other ways of getting them away. (Courtesy of Harness Horse magazine) 

1947 - McDonnell Starting Gate Becomes A Huge Success 

The 1947 race day at Wallacetown Ont., a small community located just southwest from London,  gave the competing horsemen as well as the fans a glimpse of the future.  For the first time in history the races were started by a mobile starting gate.  Alex McDonnell of Hamilton was on hand to do the starting.

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The following is an excerpt from a Rewind column from a number of years ago pertaining to the introduction of the starting gate in 1947. 

"While a number of attempts were made in various parts of Canada previously, the generally accepted first appearance of the mobile gate as we know it today happened in May of 1947. A man named Tom McDonnell of Hamilton put together a workable gate and was able to persuade enough people of its worthiness and on the afternoon of May 24, 1947 his new invention went into action at Sarnia, Ontario. The McDonnell gate was mounted on the family car, a 1939 Plymouth coupe. When required for race days it could be quickly outfitted for track duty including removal of the trunk lid, and when the day was finished, it went back to its usual purpose." 

1949 - Canadian Pacing Derby Goes To The Diplomat 

The 1949 Canadian Pacing Derby — held annually at Fountain Park in New Hamburg, Ont. since 1936 — turned out to be a thriller.  This year's edition of the Derby, which had become Ontario's top race, was without its only four-time winner: The Count B. After winning the big race for four of the last five years, the great roan warrior was no longer racing.  In the 1948 renewal he had come up extremely lame and had since bowed out of competition.  

Just prior to this racing season London hotel owner Alex Parsons, a long-time supporter of the annual classic, had imported a high class performer from the U.S. He had purchased a six-year-old pacing stallion named The Diplomat for a reported $12,000 and handed him over to his trainer and driver Lew James.  After a few starts in lesser company this fast pacing fellow was ready for the Derby.  

The 1949 version of the Derby drew a huge field of 13 starters. They started in three tiers on the New Hamburg half-miler, which in itself was quite a feat. At the conclusion of the first heat, the connections of The Diplomat were in a slight state of shock as their heavily favoured horse finished a well-beaten fifth. Following the race it was discovered that the horse had a roofing nail embedded in his hoof. Once removed, the "Dip" showed why he was the class of the field as he sprinted to victory in the next two heats.

For many years a special race series was staged at Mohawk called The Diplomat Pacing Series, inspired by this memorable horse, who again won this great race in 1952.

Quote For The Week:  I recently heard that when a group of "older" people get together it might rightfully be called a "Wrinkle Reunion." 

Who Is It?  

When harness racing was popular at many small town race days and during fall fair time,  it was not unusual for local politicians to become involved.  In the above photo Keith Brown, a member of Parliament for Northumberland County (Conservative) was on hand at the Norwood, Ont. races to present a cheque for $25.00 to the driver winning the fastest heat.  He is shown above making the presentation to a popular driver and very well known area horse.  Can you name the horse or driver or both if you wish?  This great photo dates back to about 1960.  

Who Else Is It?  

Can you identify these three gents who were being recognized for their driving talents at the London, Ont. track many years ago?  This was taken before the days of white trousers being worn by drivers.