SC Rewind: Remembering 1972

In this week's Rewind Robert Smith turns the calendar back to 1972, an even 50 years ago.  He recalls a number of happenings,   people then in the news and just a bit of what was going on a half century ago.  His piece includes a snapshot of history as it then existed.  If you remember a few of these stories as they happened then you have been around for a while. 

Here are a few short stories and old photos that pertain to the 1972 racing season. 

Little Brown Jug Day, 1972 —Strike Out The Winner 

The 1972 Jug carried a purse of $104,916, the second highest in history, in its 27th edition. A crowd of 45,000 people gathered to watch.  Strike Out owned by the BeeJay Stable of Beamsville, Ont. and driven by Keith Waples was at his absolute best on this day and his mile times established a new world record for three- year-old pacers on a half-mile track and in so doing he broke the current record held by his sire Bret Hanover. Bret, the winner of the 1965 Jug, held the current record of 1:57 but on this day Strike Out recorded a mile in 1:56.3 in the second heat to set a new Jug and world standard. Combined with his opening heat time of 1:58.1 Strike Out failed to break Bret Hanover's two- heat record. 

Strike Out became the first ever winner of the Little Brown Jug to be solely owned by Canadians and trained in Canada. The BeeJay Stables were comprised of horseman John Hayes Sr. then of Beamsville Ont. and Robert and Conrad Shapiro of Montreal.  In somewhat of an oddity, Hayes had an unusual vantage point for the race as he drove stablemate Alley Fighter in both heats finishing 11 - 5 on the day. 

The strategy of employing Keith Waples as driver for Strike Out was summed up by trainer John Hayes Sr. by saying "When you've got the best horse in the world, why not have the best driver." It was a formula that worked regularly throughout the season and one which provided Waples with his only victory in the Jug.  At the time, Keith was a few months short of his 49th birthday and he again demonstrated that he was equal to any challenge as a driver regardless of the situation or the location. 

J R Skipper Sets World Record For Two-Year-Olds 

J R Skipper and driver Greg Wright 

On this same day, another standout Canadian performer, J R Skipper, established a world record for two-year-old pacers over a half-mile track.  This young speedster son of Meadow Skipper was owned and trained by noted colt developer J. Russell Miller of Dutton, Ont. and handled by a young up and coming reinsman — Greg Wright, a native of Windsor, Ont. who was just 26 at the time. In setting the new record, J R Skipper stopped the timer in 1:58.4 in the first heat and in the second scored in 1:59.2. The combined time of 3:58.1 eclipsed the existing record of 4:00.3 which had been set just the previous day at this same Delaware track by Faraway Bay. J R Skipper's win came in the Ohio Standardbred Futurity, a $30,000 purse event. 

The 1972 season for J R Skipper was a tremendously successful campaign that saw him earn a total of $108,695 for the season, winning an amazing 15 of his 23 starts, finishing second 5 times to go along with one third place finish. His long season of travels took him to numerous tracks in Michigan, Ohio, New York, Kentucky as well as Ontario and Quebec.  In all of his victories he was driven by Greg Wright, who piloted him to a season's record of 1:58.1 at Lexington. 

Yonkers Raceway Gets New Owners 

In 1972, two years after Martin Tananbaum's passing, the five Rooney brothers of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia purchased Yonkers Raceway for $52 million. It was the largest private racetrack purchase in U.S. history. Tim Rooney, the middle brother of the five, was installed as president.

1972 Provincial Cup At Windsor Raceway 

All eyes of the record crowd of 12,057 were on Horse of the Year and world record holder Albatross, but it was Isle of Wight, a third- place finisher in the 1971 Cup, who got to the wire first. Herve Filion was the driver in a 1:59 4/5 mile, the first sub-two-minute performance in Cup history. For many years the Provincial Cup was a popular race at the border oval and drew some memorable performers. 

Continental Cup at Windsor 

Albatross did not win the Provincial Cup but he did have a tremendous performance in the Continental Cup.  This pacing great teamed up with Stanley Dancer to not only win the race but also set a new all age track record at the tartan track.  

Queen City Pace - Greenwood Raceway, July 22, 1972 

This race which eventually became the Pepsi North American Cup in 1984 was Canada's top event for three-year-old pacers at this time.  The 1972 version went to a locally-owned horse Lynden Bye Bye from the stable of Max Webster of Brantford.   The purse of $26,000 was considered to be one of the top payouts of the season.  

The winner's circle was a happy place following the victory by Lynden Bye Bye in the 1972 Queens City Pace. Joining the horse and driver Harold McKinley are from left, Elgin Armstrong,  Audrey McKinley (partially obscured), owners Fay and Max Webster holding the Cup.  (Webster Family archives) 

Canadian Pacing Derby 

When Derby Day took place at Greenwood on Saturday, August 28, 1972 it turned out to be an epic battle and one that people still recall. A huge Saturday crowd of 15,807 flocked to the downtown oval to get one last glance at not only one of the greatest horses of all time but also what was considered a field of superstars. To this day veteran observers at the Greenwood track list this race as one of the most thrilling ever thanks to the gruelling stretch drive between Albatross the eventual winner and Nansemond.  

Albatross (5) and driver Stanley Dancer hold off Nansemond and Herve Filion to gain a victory in the 1972 Canadian Pacing Derby at Greenwood

Final Results - 1972 Canadian Pacing Derby - Purse: $59,400

1 - Albatross (Stanley Dancer)

2 - Nansemond (Herve Filion)

3 - Kentucky (Bruce Nickells)

4 - Isle Of Wight (Henri Filion)

5 - Horton Hanover (Joe O'Brien)

6 - Rob Ron Robbie (Keith Waples)

7 - Bye Bye Max (Jack Bailey)

Time: 1:58.2, New Greenwood Track Record and New Stakes Record

Racing At Blue Bonnets 

A snowy scene at Blue Bonnets.  Looks like it was a little too cool for the fans to be outside. 

The long racing season at Blue Bonnets in Montreal opened on January 14 and ended December 28.  Numerous events were held throughout the season, especially the Prix D'Ete won by Strike Out and driven by Keith Waples.  Finishing second was Bob Hilton (Herve Filion) with third E B Time for Ben Cote.  In July the Grand Circuit came to town and several outstanding horses appeared, many from U.S. stables. 

One very noteworthy event involved the world champion trotting filly Delmonica Hanover, owned and normally driven by Delvin Miller.  On this occasion Miller made the choice to have local driver Benoit Cote handle the driving duties and the results were excellent.  Cote guided the young miss to a world record as they toured the Montreal five-eighths track in a stunning 2:00.1.  

The Tie Silk Trot, another feature of the G.C. for three-year-old trotters, saw Songcan driven by George Sholty take home the top prize in the $35,000 event.  The field included Super Bowl finishing second and Spartan Hanover third in a 2:01.2 mile. 

Keith Waples shows a winning smile following a win at Blue Bonnets in the 1972 Prix D'Ete with Strike Out in 1:58.2 

Hambletonian Day - August 30, 1972 - DuQuoin, Illinois

The 1972 Hambo was won by Super Bowl and driver Stanley Dancer as they set a new record of 1:56.2 for this famed race.  

That day Super Bowl trotted in 1:57.2 and back in 1:56.2 to set a Hambletonian record, a world record for three-year-old trotters and also for a two-heat race. It was a performance the likes of which no one had ever seen before.(Hambletonian Society photo)

New Track Opens In Peterborough 

The new plant known as Kawartha Downs opened for racing under the lights on July 22, 1972. The opening night card consisted of a total of 10 races. In the first race ever at the new oval, Frank Conlin guided the four-year-old maiden pacer Bold Battles to a win in 2:08.4 for owner Joseph Guest of Hampton, Ont. He was also a winner in the fourth with a horse named John Honey, to make him the first multiple winning reinsman. Other winning drivers on opening night included Frank Alexander, Carman Hie, Earl Shea, Jim McIntyre, Allan Nicholls, Tom Riley, Sherman Moore and Retta Herrington. Lots of names from the Morrow Park era were here to 'christen' the new facility.

Early in its history, Kawartha Downs was coined "The Class 'A' of the 'B' Circuit" and it would appear rightfully so.

Fifty years goes by pretty quickly.  

Quote For The Week: "Never put off 'til tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow." - Mark Twain 

Who Is It? 

The young fellow pictured above had a rather memorable event in early June of the 1972 season as he scored his first lifetime driving victory.   It was undoubtedly appropriate that the horse was wearing #1.  The only clue I will give is to say that he went on to win "quite a few more" before hanging up his tools of the trade a few years ago.  Let us know who you think it is. 

Who Else Is It #1? 

Can you recognize these two fellows who were pretty well known in 1972? Both are no longer with us but certainly well remembered by many including yours truly. 

Who Else Is It #2? 

The gentleman pictured above was in the news during the 1972 season as a leading driver at Canadian tracks.  Can you name him?