For the first Rewind of 2024, Robert Smith presents the latest edition of ‘Years Ago’. This feature takes a look back at notable people, events, and memories from a chosen decade. This time, we’re focusing on the 1940s, a highly significant time in the history of harness racing. The decade was marked by numerous “firsts” and important milestones. As always, several vintage photos accompany many of these short stories.
1940 – Canadian Sportsman Celebrates 70 Years
By 1940, The Canadian Sportsman had already been around for 70 years since its launch in 1870. It proudly billed itself as “The Oldest Turf Journal In America,” as indicated above. in Tillsonburg, Ont., it listed Harvey F. Johnston as Proprietor and R. Gordon Craig as Associate Editor during this time.
Subscribers could enjoy a yearly subscription for $2.50 in Canada (around 20 cents per month), while U. S. residents paid slightly more at $3.00. Each issue featured eight pages filled with news, announcements, and s for many years to come. Most editions included updates from across the Dominion along with reports and results from various U. S. locations. Annually around Hambletonian time, an extensive breakdown of this major race was .
Many issues featured letters from readers sharing news about recent events, upcoming happenings, and other interesting tidbits. Occasionally, when controversial topics arose, differing viewpoints were presented for balance.
1941 – Saratoga Opens New Night Racing Track
Saratoga on opening night in 1941
The grandstand at Saratoga during its final construction stages
On June 26, 1941, Saratoga Raceway debuted as the sport’s newest racetrack facility and became the first designed specifically for nighttime harness racing. The two tracks that came before it-Roosevelt Raceway and Batavia Downs-had been retrofitted for evening races after their openings in 1940. The inaugural day of racing at Saratoga attracted 4,048 fans with a mutuel handle totaling $28,515.
1946 – Introduction of Phillips Starting Gate at Roosevelt Raceway
In the aftermath of WWII’s conclusion, harness racing saw a significant surge in popularity. One pivotal event was the arrival of the mobile starting gate to enhance fair starts in races. Steve Phillips-a native of Xenia, Ohio-had been experimenting with various starting gates prior to this period but found varying levels of acceptance until he was able to create a modern vehicle funded by Roosevelt management; his new starting car quickly became successful.
Phillips remained at Roosevelt as their starter for many years and eventually worked alongside his son Charles (left) shown above. According to track folklore from those days past, senior Phillips was always impeccably dressed-often seen wearing a suit coat and tie that never repeated on consecutive days.
The Steve Phillips mobile starting gate made its debut at Roosevelt Raceway on May 24, 1946; it was an instant hit that significantly boosted the track’s popularity thereafter. By the following year, this innovation appeared in Canada too and quickly became essential at nearly all race meetings.
1947 – Exciting Race Day At Tillsonburg Ontario
On July 9th of that year , the town track in Tillsonburg hosted an exciting day filled with pacers and trotters. A full schedule offered competitive racing featuring close finishes throughout. Five races were held , each consisting of three heats , leading to one of Ontario’s largest single-day racing events.
The newly established Supertest Stakes , dedicated to three-year-old pacers , highlighted this thrilling day. With an impressive purse valued at $4 ,274.48 , nine participants lined up to compete. The winner emerged as Lee Grattan Bars , owned by Al Leverington from St. Thomas , Ontario (see note below). After winning both initial heats , he finished second behind Mr. Herbert driven by Wm. Herbert from London during heat three. Notably , his finishing time of two minutes thirteen seconds marked the fastest achievement recorded within this event which boasted purses amounting just $300 overall across all other races that day due mainly thanks contributions originating directly stemming off entry fees aided further significantly through funds allocated generously granted courtesy specifically provided through Supertest Oil Co.
Note – In nineteen forty-seven yearbooks did not consistently feature information regarding winning drivers hence no mention occurs regarding who drove victoriously here though it’s likely Levi “Jiggs” Mc Fadden assumed control aboard said horse regularly steering him towards success often times throughout previous seasons past!
For many years running tillsonburg stood amongst top-tier locales offering premier race experiences showcasing multiple occasions annually drawing enthusiastic crowds alike whilst Jack Climie had become involved organizing programs smoothly running affairs serving also performing duties announcing matches on occasion nearby !
<![]()
![]()
And so we see Alf Moore navigating Lorne Lee attempting overtaking Dillon Flicka represented here closely watched upon large gathered audience present witnessed only moments before subsequently celebrating successes emerging out victorious amidst roaring applause ringing loud echoing resonating across grandstands jubilant crowd enjoyment surging forth cheering enthusiasm finally culminating victory achieved reached !!![]()
To sum up big happenings surround whenever supertest stakes rolled into town last noted followed through downtown tillsonburg showcasing local businesses promotional tactics reflecting excitement generated aligning perfectly combined forces poised making entire community feel vibrant alive hosting such remarkable sporting spectacles indeed!!
Subscribers could enjoy a yearly subscription for $2.50 in Canada (around 20 cents per month), while U. S. residents paid slightly more at $3.00. Each issue featured eight pages filled with news, announcements, and s for many years to come. Most editions included updates from across the Dominion along with reports and results from various U. S. locations. Annually around Hambletonian time, an extensive breakdown of this major race was .
Many issues featured letters from readers sharing news about recent events, upcoming happenings, and other interesting tidbits. Occasionally, when controversial topics arose, differing viewpoints were presented for balance.
1941 – Saratoga Opens New Night Racing Track
Saratoga on opening night in 1941
The grandstand at Saratoga during its final construction stages
On June 26, 1941, Saratoga Raceway debuted as the sport’s newest racetrack facility and became the first designed specifically for nighttime harness racing. The two tracks that came before it-Roosevelt Raceway and Batavia Downs-had been retrofitted for evening races after their openings in 1940. The inaugural day of racing at Saratoga attracted 4,048 fans with a mutuel handle totaling $28,515.
1946 – Introduction of Phillips Starting Gate at Roosevelt Raceway
In the aftermath of WWII’s conclusion, harness racing saw a significant surge in popularity. One pivotal event was the arrival of the mobile starting gate to enhance fair starts in races. Steve Phillips-a native of Xenia, Ohio-had been experimenting with various starting gates prior to this period but found varying levels of acceptance until he was able to create a modern vehicle funded by Roosevelt management; his new starting car quickly became successful.
Phillips remained at Roosevelt as their starter for many years and eventually worked alongside his son Charles (left) shown above. According to track folklore from those days past, senior Phillips was always impeccably dressed-often seen wearing a suit coat and tie that never repeated on consecutive days.
The Steve Phillips mobile starting gate made its debut at Roosevelt Raceway on May 24, 1946; it was an instant hit that significantly boosted the track’s popularity thereafter. By the following year, this innovation appeared in Canada too and quickly became essential at nearly all race meetings.
1947 – Exciting Race Day At Tillsonburg Ontario
Nineteen forty-eight heralded emergence Ralph Baldwin establishing himself recognition receiving accolades across industry distinguishing himself outstanding driver securing prominent position atop rankings leading money earners proving exceptional talent skill honed skills developed refined practices polishes resulting achievements awarded accordingly tallied over successive months progressing forward observed trends evident growing fanfare engaged heightened interest reflected reflected positively within respective circuits competing simultaneously attracting considerable attention widely acknowledged recognized accolades due substantial well-earned merit accomplishments displayed consistently through records achieved maintained impressive stature continuously exemplary showcasing unparalleled proficiency engagement pursued diligently manifested efforts channeled triumph accomplished resulting glorious victories earned commensurate honors befitting legacy deserving celebration remembered fondly cherished indeed!!
“Source link”
