SC Rewind: Years Ago - 1970s

The monthly feature Years Ago ​recalls some of​ the events and personalities from the decade of the 19​7​0s as this week's 'Rewind' offering. Harness racing in general was advancing in popularity at this time. The decade of the 19​7​0s saw ​continued growth and enthusiasm ​across the land. A couple of new tracks appeared and the horses were going faster than ever before.

1970 - Sydney, N.S. Awards Handed Out

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The outstanding drivers and the owners of the top horses at the Sydney, Nova Scotia Sports Centre in 1970 were honoured at the recent Cape Breton Horseman's Assn. Banquet.

From the left, Mickey MacKinnon, second leading driver, Assn. President Blaise Currie; Bernie Peck, owner of leading dash winner and fastest trotter; "Sonny" Rankin, leading driver; and Norman Bradbury, third leading driver and trainer-driver of the fastest pacer.

1970 - Free Breeding

For the 1970 season Everett Adams of Cobourg, Ont. is offering the services of a well-bred sire to broodmare owners in his area. Tanker T. a double-gaited son of Indian Land and a former standout in Indiana will be available for FREE service to trotting mares that possess a record of 2:10 or better. Others will be charged $100 for a live foal and boarding of mares is available at the rate of $2.00 per day. Mr. Adams' farm is located just around the corner from the well-known Grasshopper Flats track.

Tanker T. was Indiana's "Horse of the Year" in 1959 and champion three-year-old in 1960.

1973 - Blue Bonnets Has Early Opening

Racing began on January 4th with a mild and overcast evening at the Blue Bonnets oval. The honour of winning the season's first race went to young Allan Chartier who teamed the trotter Charlie's Pride to a 2:19.2 victory over a slow track. A crowd of 7,988 fans wagered $561,848 on a Loto-Perfecta evening. Dean Watson's good trotter Charon took the $5,000 feature and West River Harry was the first Loto-Perfecta winner of the 1973 season. It was a great start.

As January drew to a close the hottest driver on the grounds was Norman Jones who recorded 6 wins in just 17 starts. Jones' stable ace John's Duke won all four of his January starts. The pair are shown above and it is difficult not to mention the white blaze on that horse's face.

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For the first two weeks racing was held only two days a week. By mid-February four cards per week were featured. The times improved with Cabonga Saunders trotting in 2:07.2 and Dashing Dancer scoring in 2:03.4. Soon several other class performers began their season as Bravo Angus won four straight before his streak ended by Consolidated Stable's Canny Choice, handled by Dr. John Findley. In the early going Jacques Hebert, Albert Hanna and Medard Picard all accounted for seven wins each by the end of February.

1974 - Brandywine Raceway Hosts Bernie Parent Night

The two sports of harness racing and hockey have long been connected. In 1974 following the tradition a special appreciation night was held to honour a member of that year's Stanley Cup Champion Philadelphia Flyers team. M.V.P. goalie Bernie Parent, originally from the Montreal suburb of Rosemont, enjoyed harness racing and was a good friend of Herve Filion. This night attracted the track's first million-dollar handle ($1,024,515) and a crowd of 14,166 fans. The Parent Race was won by J.D. Jim in 1:59

At Parent's left is Canadian Jimmy Larente and Delvin Miller to his right. Brandywine's President Hap Hansen is at the far right beside Herve Filion. ​Midway on the right side is all-time great Stanley Dancer (Brandywine archives)

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1976 - Rockwood Lions Club Benefit Night At Mohawk

Harness horse drivers are no strangers to assisting worthy causes and raising money when called upon.

Back in late fall of 1976, The Rockwood & District Lions Club in cooperation with a group of horsemen at Mohawk Raceway, just down the road, raised a nice sum of money to assist in the Rockmosa Sportplex Building Fund.

The entire scheme was the brainchild of Rockwood horseman Ron Waples, who called upon a group of his fellow horsemen to donate their earnings from a special night. On November 29, 1976 these generous fellows raised a total of $1,084.00. This tidy sum was presented to Walter Swanston, hard-working President of the Rockwood & District Lions Club to bolster the fund raising drive.

1977 - Lyle Grineage Has Big Night At Dresden Raceway

Back on July 29, 1977, Dresden horseman Lyle Grineage had a pretty good "Day at the Office". His day was actually a pretty productive night at Dresden Raceway.

Left: Lyle Grineage (centre) accepts a commemorative gift to recognize his five win night. On the left is Jean Lekavy, Dresden Publicity director and Raceway manager George Deacon on the right. Right: Horseman Lyle Grineage appears with Nadine Johnston, one of the five horses he drove to victory at Dresden Raceway back on July 29, 1976. He was perfect for the evening.

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In an amazing show of driving excellence, Lyle scored a total of five victories in his five appearances on the track that evening. It was not anywhere near a world record but it was undoubtedly Grineage's best day ever. This was his eighth season of training and driving and he had a stable of 18 under his care at this oval.

The 1977 season proved to be a banner year for Grineage as at the time of this record-setting day, he led all drivers in points and average based on firsts, seconds and thirds against drives. Also in his sights was total wins for a summer meeting which stood at 55 tallies recorded a few years prior to this by the late Bert Madill. By this time he had made 50 trips to the winner's circle.

Who Is It?

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Can you correctly identify all of these gentlemen pictured trackside at Mohawk almost 42 years ago? The Lions Club Pres. is Walter Swanston, pictured on the extreme right side. The correct answers will be supplied during the coming week.

Bonus Picture

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Can anyone identify the location of this very old judges' stand? This photo was taken about 100 years ago. Way back when, judges' stands were very important structures. One clue; it was located in Ontario, east of Toronto.