SC Rewind: Years Ago - 1950s

This week's Rewind takes a look back at some of the events and people in the sport during the decade of the 1950's in the ongoing monthly feature 'Years Ago'.

1950 - Wellwood Stable Heads For Big Apple

August 1950: With the inaugural summer meeting at Thorncliffe Park now completed, a number of stables are moving to their next destination. A few will head home and begin the fair circuit, while others will move to Montreal or Batavia, N.Y. Undoubtedly buoyed by his recent successes at Thorncliffe where he was the leading driver, 44-year-old Stratford-based horseman Harold Wellwood is headed to Roosevelt Raceway on Long Island N.Y. His stable will be headed by the slick pacer Sam Hy who was a star at the Toronto meet. Also in his string will be a mix of younger stock all the way up to 12-year-old Victor Henley. Among his public stable owners are Wes Litt of Stratford, A.P. McNiven of Ecorse, Mich., and Russ Miller of Dutton. Harold will have to wait until later in the fall when the racing season is over to enjoy his latest gift received for winning the top driver award at Thorncliffe. He was the recipient of a chesterfield suite compliments of the Kroehler Furniture Co. This will be Wellwood's first trip back to Roosevelt since 1940 when he helped launch their inaugural meeting of racing under the lights. At that time one of his top horses was Jackson Henley, a reclamation project who was purchased from Amish owners for a mere $75.

The pacer Sam Hy and driver Harold Wellwood at Thorncliffe Park in 1950 following a new track record performance in 2:06.2.

1954 - Mr. Galvin Wins Three-Year-Old Supertest

July 10,1954: With a crowd estimated at 5,000, believed to be the largest ever assembled at the Tillsonburg Fairgrounds for a race day, an eventful afternoon of racing took place on this date. While many in attendance planned on seeing Canada's top three-year-old pacer in action, few could have forecasted the huge storm that abbreviated the racing program. A major thunder and hail storm occurred about midway through the afternoon, not only dampening the track and causing a delay of 1 1/2 hours, but also forcing several heats to be cancelled. In the Three-Year-Old Supertest a field of 8 faced the Whitesell starting gate with the overwhelming choice being Mr. Galvin. The U.S.-bred but Canadian-foaled gelding was in the midst of a fantastic campaign for Dutton owner Russell Miller. After a long afternoon, to the surprise of no one, the son of Chief Counsel was a double heat winner in the $3,700 event. He was virtually unchallenged and thus the stakes record of 2:08 set back in 1948 by Jay Herbert was left unchallenged. Clark Herbert, who was expected to provide some opposition, finished last in the first heat after unseating his driver Wray Turvey and was scratched from the second. In other action, the Ben Moulton Memorial held in honour of a local racing pioneer was won in straight heats by June Lee Direct, trained by her owner Glen Tiffin of Dresden and handled by Jiggs McFadden. Three drivers notched driving doubles on the card; Harry List, Jiggs McFadden and Jack Mehlenbacher. The latter, who is an N.H.L. referee in the winter, was the pilot behind the amazing Mr. Galvin who was groomed that day by the owner's daughter Marjorie, currently on summer holidays.

Supertest Oil Co. officials present the trophy to Mr. Galvin's owner Russell Miller (third from left). On the right holding Mr. Galvin is Marjorie Miller and far right driver Jack Mehlenbacher [LFP Photo]

1955 - Connaught Park Happenings

June 1955 - Harness racing is now in its third year at Connaught Park in Aylmer, Quebec and fans in the area are supporting the current meeting as shown in both attendance figures and healthy mutuel handles. After Saturday night's card, the driver's race is heating up. "Sonny" Geisel of Hanover, Ont., with two victories leads all reinsmen with 14 wins. Veteran Sted Craig racked up two more, his 11th and 12th good for second. Jack Gordon's two wins behind Hal Grattan Patch and Frank Brooke kept pace with Craig as he also has 12 victories. In fourth place is Jim McIntyre of Peterborough who failed to garner a win during the evening but holds 4th place with 10 tallies. Horsemen here were marveling at the current performance of the nine-year-old gelding Professor Mc, particularly his durability. In just 12 days he has made eight starts at three different spots, winning five plus a second, a third and fourth place finish. He was a double heat winner at the Arnprior Fair and then won back to back Invitations at Connaught. He also was a bang up second in 2:10 at Blue Bonnets. While the horse at nine may not have youth on his side, his driver certainly does. Herve Filion is just 15 years old and has been handling all of the driving assignments this season for his older brother Gilles, who is the owner. This horse did have a busy 1955 season as he went to the post 69 times and was returned a winner on 21 occasions.

1956 - Young Driver Ray Lowery and Merrywood Star Shine at Norwood Fair

October 8-10, 1956: Dating back to 1868, the picturesque village of Norwood, Ont., located just 12 miles east of Peterborough, has held their fair on Thanksgiving weekend. This year two days of racing were held, with most of the participants appearing on both Saturday and Monday. On opening day in the 28 class Trot or Pace, a total of eight starters were in search of a piece of the $150 purse. In the opener, Country Rose was home first for owner Melbourne Kilpatrick. In the second heat young Ray Lowery, an 18-year-old from Millbrook, scored his first ever victory behind his own Merrywood Star. On Monday, young Mr. Lowery was back in the same class with his filly and eager for another trip to the winner's circle. He was again successful with his Blue Again filly, defeating Mr Blue from the barn of Jas. Baskin of Renfrew. While he is a relative newcomer to the harness racing ranks, Ray has often shown his father's purebred Clydesdales at the local fairs. Merrywood Star was purchased earlier this season by Lowery from Eric McElroy who owns a dance hall in Grand Bend, Ont. His first try in the sport a trotter named Tim's Lad, was sold to Stan Crossett for a reported $1,500 and is now racing out of the Jack Gordon barn and doing quite well.

A field of horses make their way down the stretch at the Norwood Fair

1957 - Canadian Pacing Derby Discontinued at New Hamburg, Ont.

August, 1957: After a span of three decades and a total of 22 years, the once famous Canadian Pacing Derby is being discontinued. Shortly after this year's edition was held which attracted only four starters, officials of the local Turf Club made the somewhat startling announcement.

The Final Four - This photo shows the final Derby held at New Hamburg in 1957 which drew just four entrants. Captain Wright was the winner followed by Jay Creed, Cimarron Forbes and Great Queen Jr. Captain Wright was owned by The Armstrong Bros. of Brampton and driven by Vic Rowntree.

Citing a lack of interest and difficulty in attracting top horses, the decision was made public by longtime secretary Earl Katzmeier. "Katzy" as he is known by everyone, has been the driving force behind the race since it was first held here back in 1936. Each year until recently the race had risen in popularity and offered progressively higher purses. Most of the greatest horses of this era all appeared in the Derby, the most famous and productive participant being The Count B. This remarkable performer won the big race four times, and gathered in second money once. When the roan speedster died suddenly in 1952, he was buried at Fountain Park, the scene of his many victories. A granite shaft marks his final resting place.

The final resting spot of The Count B

Note: Following a seven-year absence, the Derby was revived in 1965 when it was held at Greenwood Raceway in Toronto. It remains one of the top events held in Canada each year.