This week in Rewind, Robert Smith reflects on some notable figures and events from the 1940s in our ongoing series Years Ago. The sport faced significant challenges during WWII in the early part of the decade but made a strong comeback right after the war ended.
1941 – Race Days Held At Stratford Fairgrounds
At this time, the Stratford Turf Club hosted one of the premier race meetings in the Province. David Pinkney, a local hotel owner and horse owner, was a key promoter and organizer for many years. Despite some unpredictable weather, the two-day event on August 31 and September 1 was a success with eight races featuring a total of 24 heats.
The highlight of this gathering was undoubtedly the two Futurity races held on the second day. This marked the 13th annual edition of these signature races by the Standardbred Society. They had previously showcased many future stars as they featured top young horses of both gaits. The purses offered were quite an incentive for those interested in breeding, raising, and racing colts at ages two and three.
Results of the 1941 Futurities
Pine Ridge Babe won three heats for owners Brooks Bros. from London and driver Jack Finnerty.
Barbara Lee, owned by Manchester Farm, also took home three heats with head trainer Jack Finnerty driving. All four top finishers were sired by Lee Harvester, who was Canada’s leading sire for trotting stock at that time and stood at Manchester Farm in Galt, Ont. Mr. Finnerty’s double victory was something no other driver had achieved before this date. Note: The approximate value of $2,500 in 1941 adjusted for inflation is about $49,200 today. Quite a nice purse back then! 1944 – Hambletonian Continues During WWII Even though many races were canceled and tracks closed during wartime (1939 – 1945), the famous Hambletonian kept going.
Yankee Maid won the Hambletonian in 1944 at Goshen, N. Y., with trophy presentation by movie star James Cagney to owner A. L. Derby from Wichita, Ks., while Henry Thomas drove her to victory. On the far left is Lt. Richard Derby, son of A. L., dressed in military uniform. (Photo courtesy of Hambletonian Society) Note – Later this year marks a special anniversary for the Hambletonian as it will host its 100th race since its long-standing history began. Canadians have been significant players throughout its history dating back to its first race in 1926 when Canadian-born driver Nat Ray took home victory with Guy Mc Kinney. 1947 – Harness Racing Popular At Three Rivers Track In post-WWII years, harness racing experienced a revival across Quebec and many parts beyond it too. Exhibition Park located in Three Rivers became an active hub attracting numerous horsemen from afar. Diving into Exhibition week in August 1947 most elite horses made appearances throughout that week-long meeting. Leading them was trotter Provident who clinched victory in $1,000 Free For All Trot winning all three heats under owner Emile Blondeau from Quebec City’s banner while Highland Frisco triumphed over pacing events with two wins followed by second place results while Saratoga managed finishes at first-second-second within an $800 event round-up concluding with Laura Volo pacing five miles clocking at 12:34 4/5 minutes!
A large crowd gathered at Three Rivers during Exhibition Week back then shows how popular harness racing truly became! Every winner hailed from Quebec except one-Smokey Dale owned by A. D Harrison all way out there Brandon Manitoba! That crowd size illustrated well just how much people loved harness racing!
1948 – Starting Gate Becomes Popular
The Ontario harness racing scene saw exciting changes come about thanks to new starting gates introduced widely around Province starting off strong within ’48 season! Back May ’47 original model arrived onsite making debut appearance via Tom Mc Donnell hailing from Hamilton-with later introduction seen brought forth through Tillsonburg auto dealer Art Whitesell presenting own version down Grand Valley town path!
An earlier form showcasing Whitesell’s design hit action shots captured here perhaps marking his very first gate launch or something along those lines?
This innovation quickly gained traction; following deployment into several southern Ontario meets later on that same year things picked up tremendously regarding demand levels witnessed soaring through using newly adopted method positively transforming procedures involved when kicking off those races compared past frustrations experienced previously running open scoring systems used prior towards conducting affairs smoothly!
Note-Art Whitesell continued managing operations across numerous small venues maintaining starting gates’ usage consistently over several years afterwards until night-racing came rolling through Ontario territory come ’61 where he served standing starter position out Western Fair track till passing away circa ‘80.
Quote For The Week: “It’s the most people I’ve ever been ignored by.” – Singer Vince Gill jokingly said after performing in front of a huge audience.
Who Is It?
![“Who]()
Can you guess who this driver might be judging based solely off old photographs taken back when single shaft sulkies ruled supreme? If I remember correctly they outlawed such designs late ‘73.’
Who Else Is It?
Can you identify this driver based simply upon another vintage shot ?
From The ’40s
Can you recognize this gentleman who definitely raced successfully back during forties era? Let us know if you think you know him!
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Barbara Lee, owned by Manchester Farm, also took home three heats with head trainer Jack Finnerty driving. All four top finishers were sired by Lee Harvester, who was Canada’s leading sire for trotting stock at that time and stood at Manchester Farm in Galt, Ont. Mr. Finnerty’s double victory was something no other driver had achieved before this date. Note: The approximate value of $2,500 in 1941 adjusted for inflation is about $49,200 today. Quite a nice purse back then! 1944 – Hambletonian Continues During WWII Even though many races were canceled and tracks closed during wartime (1939 – 1945), the famous Hambletonian kept going.
Yankee Maid won the Hambletonian in 1944 at Goshen, N. Y., with trophy presentation by movie star James Cagney to owner A. L. Derby from Wichita, Ks., while Henry Thomas drove her to victory. On the far left is Lt. Richard Derby, son of A. L., dressed in military uniform. (Photo courtesy of Hambletonian Society) Note – Later this year marks a special anniversary for the Hambletonian as it will host its 100th race since its long-standing history began. Canadians have been significant players throughout its history dating back to its first race in 1926 when Canadian-born driver Nat Ray took home victory with Guy Mc Kinney. 1947 – Harness Racing Popular At Three Rivers Track In post-WWII years, harness racing experienced a revival across Quebec and many parts beyond it too. Exhibition Park located in Three Rivers became an active hub attracting numerous horsemen from afar. Diving into Exhibition week in August 1947 most elite horses made appearances throughout that week-long meeting. Leading them was trotter Provident who clinched victory in $1,000 Free For All Trot winning all three heats under owner Emile Blondeau from Quebec City’s banner while Highland Frisco triumphed over pacing events with two wins followed by second place results while Saratoga managed finishes at first-second-second within an $800 event round-up concluding with Laura Volo pacing five miles clocking at 12:34 4/5 minutes!
A large crowd gathered at Three Rivers during Exhibition Week back then shows how popular harness racing truly became! Every winner hailed from Quebec except one-Smokey Dale owned by A. D Harrison all way out there Brandon Manitoba! That crowd size illustrated well just how much people loved harness racing!
1948 – Starting Gate Becomes Popular
The Ontario harness racing scene saw exciting changes come about thanks to new starting gates introduced widely around Province starting off strong within ’48 season! Back May ’47 original model arrived onsite making debut appearance via Tom Mc Donnell hailing from Hamilton-with later introduction seen brought forth through Tillsonburg auto dealer Art Whitesell presenting own version down Grand Valley town path!
An earlier form showcasing Whitesell’s design hit action shots captured here perhaps marking his very first gate launch or something along those lines?
This innovation quickly gained traction; following deployment into several southern Ontario meets later on that same year things picked up tremendously regarding demand levels witnessed soaring through using newly adopted method positively transforming procedures involved when kicking off those races compared past frustrations experienced previously running open scoring systems used prior towards conducting affairs smoothly!
Note-Art Whitesell continued managing operations across numerous small venues maintaining starting gates’ usage consistently over several years afterwards until night-racing came rolling through Ontario territory come ’61 where he served standing starter position out Western Fair track till passing away circa ‘80.
Quote For The Week: “It’s the most people I’ve ever been ignored by.” – Singer Vince Gill jokingly said after performing in front of a huge audience.
Who Is It?
(The correct answers will appear here courtesy Robert providing comment updates shortly.)
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