SC Rewind: Team To Pole

Robert Smith takes a look at a harness racing oddity that is listed as part of the sport's official records

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Over the years race announcers have often used the phrase "They are coming to the wire like a team ....." or at least some variation of that theme. Anyone who has witnessed very many races has the seen the neck and neck struggle for the lead that plays itself out so often. While the actual racing of teams of horses has never been a part of the sport, it has been seen as an exciting exhibition on a number of occasions. It becomes even more real while viewing a couple of vintage photographs and (albeit grainy) video.

When Thorncliffe Park in Toronto staged a few summer meetings back in the early 1950's, organizers decided to include several innovative sessions of different presentations for the racing audience. Exactly who came up with the ideas is not known to me but someone may recall.

On August 13, 1953 The Hon. Earl Rowe, a noted horseman from Newton Robinson, Ont. who divided his time between Parliament Hill and the racetrack, took on one of the challenges. Mr. Rowe put on an exhibition mile for the fans driving a team of trotting mares, both owned by Mr. Rowe and trained by he and his son William. The pair of classy mares were Celias Counsel a seven-year-old and Volo Van, then five years old. They thrilled the fans with a record setting performance, trotting the mile in 2:07 4/5 and beating the former record of 2:15 1/5.

In order to accomplish this feat a special vehicle had to be fabricated to accommodate a team as opposed to the normal sulky configuration. A jog cart was outfitted with a "tongue" and a neck yoke and a special set of harness was put together for the show. As anyone knows it can be a challenge at times to keep one trotter on gait, never mind two. Apparently Mr. Rowe had the knack. He was a true showman who never shunned the spotlight and was always eager to promote the sport in any way he could.

Back in 1939 perhaps the most famous of all team trotting exhibitions took place at Indianapolis, Indiana. It involved the immortal Greyhound, teamed with Rosalind: both world class trotters to say the least. The driver was Sep Palin, one of the most famous reinsmen of that era. They posted a mile that may still be in the record books; if not, it was certainly there for a long long time. They trotted a mile in 1:58 1/4 which is listed in the official list of records as "Team To Pole".

There is probably no symbol that portrays strength and stability more than the picture of a team of horses. They carried the early settlers across the land in stagecoaches, plowed the fields, pulled the wagons of industry and served as the backbone of our nation for centuries. At one time a good team of horses was a farmer's most precious possession (next to his wife that is). Even today the sight of a nicely groomed team of horses is sure to turn the head of nearly everyone. Maybe someone should put a nice team of trotters together and see the crowd it is likely to draw.

Can anyone imagine the sight of Muscle Hill and Lucky Jim trotting together as a team?