The story of a two drivers ending up in one sulky during a race downunder jarred the memories of harness racing fans, and subsequently unearthed evidence of a similar situation from nearly 70 years ago.
After reading the story and feedback on the unique finish involving Glenn Douglas (driving Pocket Thedeal) and Mick Bellman (aboard Knight Sky Safari) from late February, Trot Insider received a photo from the family of Hall of Fame driver John Chapman. Here's Chapman getting some help across the finish line in 1949 at Buffalo Raceway, courtesy Shari Lovell -- daughter of another Hall of Famer, Cliff "Chappy" Chapman.
"My father, the late Cliff 'Chappy' Chapman, had this photo of his brother John among his memorabilia. You would be hard pressed to find a better track historian than our dad. My brother Paul has the photo now. It was taken at Buffalo Raceway in 1949."
The following information appeared with this photo in the February 1970 issue of Hoof Beats in an article about Chapman.
Actually, harness racing might have seen this cool little man coming as long as 21 years ago if it was paying close attention. In a race at Buffalo in that bygone time a weird mishap suddenly catapulted Chapman out of his own sulky and smack into the lap of another driver.
"Keep going," he barked at the other startled teamster. "You can still finish third!"