SC Rewind: Remembering The Overnight Sheet

In this week's edition of Rewind,  Robert Smith delves back in time to recall a perhaps now forgotten paper document that for many years played an important role in each and every day of harness racing.  Its "official" name sounded more like a bedding item, but in reality it was a single sheet of white paper.  Read on to remember more about the theme of today's column.  

I recently came into possession of a pristine copy of what was known as an "overnight sheet," defined by the glossary of common horse racing terms as "A sheet published by the racing secretary's office listing the entries for an upcoming racing card." And that was exactly what it was, and it served as a very useful tool at virtually every racetrack until modern technology eventually replaced it.  

Nowadays nearly everyone relies on either a cell phone or some type of computer to receive all sorts of information.  For individuals engaged in harness racing anywhere in Canada today,  they are likely to rely on the Standardbred Canada website for a lot of data.  A look at the "ENTRIES" button  shows just about exactly what the old overnight sheet looked like. 

In the earliest days I believe it was always produced using a typewriter (yes they did exist for a very long time) and the original was eventually used to make multiple copies.  Long before the advent of the many copying machines (often called Xerox machines) that we have today, it wasn't real easy to produce copies but there were devices.  Probably at one time the once popular Gestetner copying machine was used to make the many copies that were needed to serve the backstretch personnel.  

Each time, which was usually daily,  that a new overnight sheet came out it was quite sought after.  A person from virtually every stable on the grounds headed for the race office at about the time the sheet was likely to be released.  They brought back one or more copies and it immediately triggered several reactions.  Perhaps an owner had to be notified (by phone, of course) if their horse was in or not.  Maybe if a horse missed getting in they might have to be trained?? Any number of scenarios were attached to the info on that precious sheet of paper.

Once back at the stable the newest sheets were often put on a clipboard and made accessible to everyone in order to align their upcoming work schedule.  As I recall the outdated ones were not immediately thrown away.  If someone needed a blank sheet to write something down, the reverse side served that purpose quite nicely.  I even recall them being cut down in size and being used to cover the clay or whatever was used to pack horse's hooves!  

The overnight sheet shown below that I copied is from almost 45 years ago and was based on racing at Mohawk Raceway for the evening of September 4, 1979.  I have done a little bit of analysis and am amazed at how many familiar names show up on this random sheet of paper.  Despite the passage of 45 years,  a lot of people listed are still involved if only as observers. 

Quote For The Week: "Why are balloons so expensive?  Apparently its due to inflation." 

Who Is It?  

Note: This week's pictures are mainly based on individuals listed on the overnight sheet that is this week's subject. 

#1 - Can you identify this trio of drivers?  

#2 - Can you identify this person?  He not only raced at Mohawk as you can see. 

#3 - Can you identify this person? 

#4 - Can you identify this person? 

#5 - Can you identify this person?