The following items are listed below as they appeared on this website during August 2011

 Scroll Down The Page To Find An Item

 

 1. Remembering Buddy Gilmour

2. The First Confederation Cup

3. An Olde Version Of Sponsorship

4. A Farmers Day Off

5. The End Of The Soft Hat Era

6. Old Home Week At Charlottetown

7. Labour Day Races Scheduled At Goderich

8.CTA Bans Single Shaft Sulky

9. Welcome Home

10. This Week At Old Woodbine

11. Years Ago - 1950's

Famous driver Joe O'Brien left chats with European horseman Charlie Mills

 

 

 April 1957

 

Based on recent discussions among the governing bodies in both Canada and the U.S., the tradition of harness drivers wearing the old tailored soft silk hats may be in jeopardy . In order to better protect its participants from injury ,it has been suggested that harness drivers begin wearing some type of protective head gear as found in several other sports .

 

Recently Delvin Miller a 44 year old driver from Meadowlands Pa. made the first major step in attempting to bring about this change . Miller who has often been at the forefront of change within the sport ,recently brought a quantity of batting helmets to Roosevelt Raceway in Long Island N.Y. and made them available to the driver's colony . Based on his "Keystone State" connections the helmets were borrowed from the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team . Reportedly a number of drivers are willing to give them a try during morning training sessions and perhaps eventually in actual races at night .

 

Follow up

 

Eventually by about 1959 or 1960 the old soft hat era came to an end . It was phased in over a period of time with certain racing jurisdictions implementing the change at different times .I can recall seeing a picture of the finish of a race at Northville Downs in Michigan around 1958 where drivers were wearing a "mix" of helmets and soft hats as they had come from different jurisdictions where the new rules had already been put in place . It is interesting to note that the first so called helmets were very small and contained virtually no inner padding . To top that off NO chin straps were worn or if they were their use was not mandatory so if anyone did have a mishap the new headgear would have afforded little in the way of protection .

 

In general a large portion of the drivers back then were not in favour of moving to the new "lids" but all eventually made the monumental transition . Today as we reflect on the old pictures showing the "Soft Cap" we do so with a feeling of nostalgia .

Welcome to " RECOLLECTIONS " a website devoted to the great sport of Harness Racing .This regularly updated site is dedicated to the recalling of the past and the many personalities, (both equine and human),memorable events and folklore of the sport .

Please visit regularly and often for updates and be sure to add this site to your Favorites . Please be sure to tell a "Friend" if they share your same interests .

This website is made possible thanks to the generosity of many individuals who have provided assistance through financial sponsorship and other philanthropic deeds .Their many contributions are much appreciated and their encouragement has assisted me in this new venture. I would like to thank the many people who have indicated how important it is to remember those who have gone before us .

It is suggested that you check the list of Sponsors listed at the left of the Welcome page and pass along your "Thanks" to these folks should the opportunity arise .

I hope my new Website is "USER FRIENDLY" and will offer the following suggestions .

Be sure to click on each Headline on the right side of the Welcome Page to view the latest posted items.

Also be sure to regularly click on the items listed under "Post Parade" at the left on the Welcome page for regular features .

 

 

Picture - Lena's Girl and driver Ron McGee are joined by Ron's mother in Old Woodbine winners circle .

 

This week at Old Woodbine -Week of August 17,1959

 

Racing at this historic old Track is now in it's 6th summer season and has but one week remaining when the doors will close until next season .

 

The weekly feature raced on Saturday afternoon August 22nd was The Canada Cup Pace, a Free For All event that highlights the annual race season . This year the winner in two straight heats was the powerful Champ Volo racing for the Miron Bros. Quebec based Stable . This year's field attracted just 5 starters and Champ Volo overpowered the competition in both heats for driver Russ Valles Key a well known U.S. teamster .In the opening heat Champ Volo paced in 2:01.2 and came back in the second in the somewhat slower time of 2: 03.2 .In both trips Captain Wright from the Armstrong Bros. Stable was second ,driven by Harold McKinley .Others in the field were Ezra Deen, Argyel Duke and Howard Rosecroft .

 

The fastest trotting mile of the week was turned in by the now 9 year old Ben Boy ,driven by Murray Waples for owner Ruth Wray of Schomberg Ontario .Their time was 2:07.3 .

 

Drivers winning at least one race during this week were as follows :

 

 Allan Walker,Hugh McLean,Almer Holmes,Jimmy Holmes,Harold Varcoe,Murray Waples,Duncan Campbell,Chas. Gollogly,Neil McRann,Cecil Coke,Hugh Stewart Jr.,H. Hampton,R. MacDonald,Archie Young,"Orangeville' Bill Harvey ,Dave Dowson,Pete Miller (Tillsonburg),Gordon Lawrence,Ed Giles,George Gilmour,Don Gallinger,Jim McIntyre,Norm Bayne,Osler Burrison,"Ancaster Bill' Harvey,Doug Palmer,T. Merrick,Paul Hebert,Clarence Lockhart,Jiggs McFadden,Jim Millman,L. Hess, Russ Valles Key,Harvey Fleet .

 

This time period beginning in 1954, when Old Woodbine held its first extended summer meeting is an extremely important and interesting time in Canadian and particularly Ontario racing history . Many horsemen flocked to Old Woodbine in Metropolitan Toronto seeking regular racing opportunities without the rigors of daily travel and moving from town to town . A number of larger Canadian Stables raced on the U.S. side or also in Montreal where more lucrative purses were offered but Old Woodbine provided a welcome home to many more even the one horse stable .

 

It was from this time that the then Ontario Jockey Club  decided to expand its operations and eventually built two more tracks, one at Campbleville which of course became Mohawk ,and in 1964 Garden City Raceway in St. Catherines came into being . A blend of veteran horsemen who had learned their trade on the old one day circuit moved to this type of racing and found it much to their liking . Also about this time a new wave of young horsemen began to appear and prosper as it became somewhat easier to earn a living with a longer racing season . A few of the young horsemen of this era would include Bill Wellwood (who first raced at Old Woodbine in 1960),Ron Feagan,Allan Waddell,Carman Hie,Ken Galbraith,Wes Coke,Laurence Giesel, Ron McGee and many more .

 

If anyone in the reading audience recalls this racing season they may recall a most exciting horse called Swan Dive . He was an extremely fast but erratic horse who was inclined to dominate on any given day and might have been just as likely to show his worst . He was an unruly horse who was hard even to parade,difficult to score and beyond that no one ever knew what he might do once the race started . He was U.S. owned and always trained and driven by Benny LaRocque a veteran horseman who hailed from Carman Manitoba .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The following items are listed below as they appeared on this website during September 2011

 

To View -Scroll Down The Page To Find An Item

 

1. Findley Birth Announcement

2. Early Days Of The Canadian Pacing Derby

3. The Count Wins The 1944 Pacing Derby

4. A Bargain At The Blacksmith Shop

5. Canadians Do Well at New York State Fair

6. Odds & Sods From 1967

7. Waples & Lockhart at Coldwater Fair

8. The Orono Fair -1961

9. The First Sale After 9/11

10. Billy Haughton

11. Little Brown Jug Week -Part 1

12. Little Brown Jug Week - Part 2

13. Little Brown Jug week - Part 3

14. Wallacetown Fair Races 

15. Results From The Lindsay Fair

16. Dillon Flicka Returns Home

September 2, 1924

 

Mr and Mrs. John Findley of Braeside Ontario ( a small lumbering village in the far Eastern part of the Province) are pleased to announce the safe arrival of their first child . A son, he will be named John Steele Findley, with his second name being in honour of his mother's maiden name . No birth weight has been stated but he is reportedly a typical "bouncing baby boy" .

 

 The Findley's hope is that he will take an interest in horses and perhaps even one day become a Veterinarian .

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The Canadian Pacing Derby which will be contested this Saturday evening at Mohawk Raceway unofficially celebrates its 75th Birthday this year . This race which began back in August of 1936 was first held at New Hamburg Ontario at the Town's picturesque Fountain Park . It was conceived by a number of horse loving volunteers who felt that the sport of harness racing in Canada needed a "Signature" event . Many meetings were held to lay the groundwork and eventually all of the pieces of the puzzle were put in place for the first ever event on August 12 .The race became an immediate success and the first year's winner was a London owned horse named Better Times driven by Floyd Milton of Drumbo Ont. .An outstanding purse of $1275 was offered for the inaugural which consisted of 3 heats and drew 8 entrants .

 

A couple of the original organizers included Earl "Katzy" Katzmeier a local Life Insurance salesman whose persuasive powers helped raise funds to stage the event .He reportedly went door to door in the early days, seeking donations from local residents and was grateful to receive as little as 25 cents to add to the "kitty" . Another pioneer was Dr. T.C. Kirkpatrick a well known medical Doctor in the Town who just naturally loved horses . In the early days of his practice he stabled a horse or two at the Fairgrounds which he used to make house calls in the community when heavy winter snows made the roads impassible . These two plus a number of others worked tirelessly to establish this great race . It was to last at this location for a period of 22 consecutive years .Today the sport owes a debt of gratitude to these forward thinking types of individuals .

 

On Saturday September 3rd this column will recall the details of one of the early races .Be sure to tune in .

 

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Picture - The Count a striking roan is shown in front of the Fountain Park judges stand driven by trainer Bert "Peewee" Tomlin .

 

The Count Wins The Ninth Annual Canadian Pacing Derby

The little Waterloo County Town of New Hamburg is becoming "famous" for its annual great summer day of racing headlined by "The Canadian Pacing Derby ".Many in the sport are referring to this metropolis simply as "Derby Town". A lot of the credit is due to the tireless efforts of one Earl "Katzy" Katzmeier perennial secretary of the local Turf Club .

On the afternoon of August 16,1944 a huge crowd was on hand to see a splendid afternoon of racing . Despite the rationing of gasoline, virtually every available parking spot was filled at the venerable old Fountain Park . Many people traveled from as far away as Michigan,Ohio and New York State to join a huge throng of Ontarians gathered to watch the absolute best the sport has to offer for aged horses .The grandstand was packed and every standing spot was in high demand .

This race now in its ninth year, was started back in 1936 and was won by Better Times a London Ont. horse owned by Mr. J.S. Koch and trained and driven by local driver Floyd Milton . It seems that the passing of each year has brought with it an even better race than the year before .

This year's event drew a field of 8 starters who faced starter Jack Climie of Tillsonburg, and the purse up for grabs was $1500, a sizable increase from the inaugural which went for $1250 .

Favoured by beautiful August weather, the racecourse was in splendid condition as evidenced by the mile times recorded .The grounds were immaculately groomed for the day and a number of stores throughout the Town displayed welcome signs for those attending the day of races .

In the first of three heats, the highly regarded Saratoga 2:03, a Quebec owned horse driven by Jules Giguere won in the fastest time of the race and the afternoon stopping the clock in 2:07 3/4 .Saratoga has an interesting "quirk" about him in that he races barefoot in front and shod behind .Finishing second was the local choice, The Count a flashy looking roan gelding now four years old by Corporal Lee. He is owned by New Liskeard horseman James Brown and handled by "Chappy" Chapman often referred to as "The Little Giant". Many observers of the race felt that had The Count not been virtually parked to the half he would have prevailed .

When the horses returned for the second stanza, the roan pacing machine was primed and ready .Expertly driven by Mr. Chapman he went on to win the next two heats in convincing style defeating Saratoga to the wire both times and in so doing annexed this year's Cup .His best winning time of the afternoon of 2:08 1/4 was a new lifetime record beating his previous best which was set a week earlier at Goderich . This win gave New Liskeard sportsman Jim Brown his second Derby victory having won it also in 1941 with Miss Vera Bars, the only mare to ever win the Classic.He became the second owner in the brief nine year history of the event to be a two time winner ,joining Dr .Meldrum of Norwich Ont. whose Dillon Mc and Sir Esme each won in previous years .It was a highly productive afternoon for the Brown Stable as they also captured all three heats of the 3 Year Old Pace with Lee Corporal ,also handled by Cliff Chapman Sr.

Horses Driver Order of Finish

The Count B (Cliff Chapman) 2-1-1
Saratoga (J Giguere) 1-2-2
Friskey Lee (Alf Moore) 3-7-3
Miller Brooke (Cecil Champion) 7-3-4
Balboa Siskiyou (Morris McDonald) 6-4-7
Helen Lee (Lorne Tolhurst) 4-8-9
Holyrood Belwin (Art Stroud) 5-5-8
Miss Vera Bars (Chas. Lindberg) 8-6-5
Lorne Lee (Harry Fields) 9-9-6


Times

1st Heat - 2:07 3/4
2nd Heat - 2:08 1/4
3rd Heat - 2:11

Editor's Note - The Count went on from this time to a phenomenal career ,becoming the "Darling" of the Canadian racing world during the WW II era .His dominance of this race alone was a monumental accomplishment. In 5 straight years of competition (1944-1948)The Count won the Derby on a record four occasions . He eventually became known as The Count "B." when he went to the U.S. to race . His lengthy career during this time period which was characterized by limited opportunities and low purses, eventually led him to induction into the Canadian Harness Racing Hall of Fame.  A series of races is held each year in his memory on the WEG Circuit. His owner Mr. James Brown was the father of Dr. Glen Brown DVM a man still very well known and respected in the sport today .I shall be writing more about this famous race in the future and also more  about The Count .

The following is a short list of "odds and sods" from 1967 Canada's Centennial Year

• London's Western Fair Raceway has an extensive list of Stakes events scheduled for the period of May 15th to July 8th this year .The richest event will be the "City of London" Pace which will carry a total purse of $7,500 and will be raced in 4 legs with the $3000 Final on July 8 . Horsemen interested in entering are requested to contact Race Secretary John Wiley  at Queen's Park London
• Rocky Senator a familiar figure at many Ontario tracks since making the long trip Eastward from Saskatchewan with his owner Wilf Duford has been retired . Having reached the mandatory retirement age of 14 he will no longer be able to compete at pari-mutuel race meetings
• On July 4th of this year, the "Perth's Birthday Stakes" will be held at the Perth Ont. Track .Three payments totalling $40 will allow starters to compete for the $1,000 added contest .This event is open to 3,4 and 5 year olds
• Les Ehrlick Harness Supply of Toronto has the latest in Driver's helmets in stock . They include all of the latest safety features and have been completely re-designed and include a removable visor .The new helmets are available in white only and sell for $21.00 .
• Horse trainers in the Toronto area will now be able to purchase Gardo Products from the local authorized agent Phil Stewart of Woodbridge . The Company's lines include Trot Liniment,Mixture #12 ,Kurine and many other fine products for horse care .
• Futurity Chief described as "The Beautiful Grey with a big Heart" has been retired to stud following a lengthy career on the racetrack . He bred a few mare last year , all are safe in foal, and will be available for a fee of $200 standing at Philrick Ltd. Green River Ont. .

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September 8 & 9 ,1949

 

Race fans at the annual Coldwater Fall Fair witnessed two days of harness racing staged by just 10 horses each going two heats . On the first day, two drivers each emerged with a double heat victory . In the opener Clarence Lockhart piloted his own Corporal Lee gelding Pat P Lee to two first place finishes in the Class 29 Trot or Pace . The fastest mile time recorded was 2:33 . In the second race of the afternoon, J.L. Van owned by J.L. Waples & Son of Midland turned back both of his opponents with son Keith Waples in the sulky . Their best time of 2:34 occurred in the second heat .Both races were for a purse of $90 .

 

On day two, just one race was held that being the Free For All Trot and Pace for a purse of $90 . Home first in the opener was Billie Whistler another star from the J.L. Waples barn and again driven by the owner's young 25 year old son Keith . In the day's final heat, Make Believe a noted trotting mare of the area sprinted home first in the meeting's fastest time of 2:21 owner driven by none other than the co-star of day one Clarence "Shorty" Lockhart of Collingwood .Mr. Lockhart who operates an automobile dealership in his hometown undoubtedly had someone else in charge of "making hot deals" that day .

 

Harness racing was a popular drawing card here dating back several decades when a roofed grandstand was built to accomodate race fans .Racing continued until it was finally discontinued in the early 1980's .

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IMAGESETTER  br.c,  Balanced Image - Be Ready
      Purchaser: TOUCH STONE FARMS, London, ON                       52,000
 MAJOR LAVEC  b.c,  Mr Lavec - Valley Delight
     Purchaser: JOHN GRANT, Hornby, ON                              65,000
OLIVIAJEANKILLEAN  b.f,  Run The Table - Larjon Heather
      Purchaser:  ROBERT MCINTOSH, AGENT, Windsor, ON                75,000
RUSTLER GOSROUND  br.f,  Rustler Hanover - Gosroundcomesround
        Purchaser:  MARK HARDER, Freehold, NJ                         51,000
INDEPENDENT WOMAN  br.f,  Royal Strength - Witsends Robin
        Purchaser:  ROSS HENRY, Arthur, ON                            40,000
 DAYLON FANTASY  b.c,  Apaches Fame - Freckled Petal
        Purchaser:  LARRY AINSWORTH, Petrolia, ON                     36,000
 MOCHA MACAROON  b.f,  Dexter Nukes - Landfair Caveat
    Consignor: Boyce Stables Inc, Agent/R G Boyce & J M Boyce
    Purchaser:  LARRY AINSWORTH, Petrolia ON                      44,000

 THE CREEK  b.c,  Rustler Hanover - Sutter Creek                    40,000
      BIGGER PURSES  b.c,  Dexter Nukes - Wondering
        Purchaser:  BEN WALLACE, Milton, ON                           45,000
KURT RUSTLER  b.c,  Rustler Hanover - Not Even Once
        Purchaser:  WELLWOOD STABLES, Cambridge, ON                   37,000
LADY CAMISTRY  br.f,  Camluck - Misty Dallas
      Purchaser:  ROBERT MCINTOSH, AGENT, Windsor, ON               60,000

MALABARS N STARS  b.c,  Malabar Man - Red Hot And Blue
        Purchaser:  CLIFF SIEGEL, Brooklyn, NY                        52,000
. VILLAGE BALLET  br.f,  Mr Lavec - Bold Gal
        Purchaser:  MURRAY ISBISTER, Langley, BC                      62,000
 OUTRAGEOUS LUCK  b.c,  Camluck - Armbro Outrage
        Purchaser:  JACK DARLING, Windsor, ON                         45,000
 MISS KITTY KILLEAN  br.f,  Run The Table - Tarport Kat
        Purchaser:  LARRY AINSWORTH, Petrolia, ON                     39,000
 ROCKY MACKENZIE  b.c,  Run The Table - Miss Crombie
        Purchaser:  JOHN LAMERS, Ingersoll, ON                        32,000
EVERTON  b.c,  Pacific Rocket - Mystic Mistress
       Purchaser:  MILLAR FARMS, Newmarket, ON                      150,000
GET THE GOODS  b.f,  King Conch - Goodtime Kathy
       Purchaser:  JOHN GRANT, Hornby, ON                            57,000

 MILLENNIUM MIRACLE  b.c,  Apaches Fame - Odessa Lobell
      Purchaser:  WHITESAND VALLEY STABLE, Schomberg, ON            57,000
 LUCK ON THE RUN  b.f,  Run The Table - Lucky Tune
        Purchaser:  MILLAR FARMS, Newmarket, ON                       72,000
 ALLEGRO BALLAD  br.c,  Royal Ballad - Valentine Image
        Purchaser:  WELLWOOD STABLES, Cambridge, ON                   80,000
WARRAWEE ELLIE  b.f,  King Conch - Chikara
        Purchaser:  JUNE DURAND, Puslinch, ON                         40,000
 INFINITE IMAGE  b.f,  Balanced Image - Armbro Infinite
         Purchaser:  STEVE GILMOUR, Hamilton, ON                      32,000
 DAYLON ALERT  br.c,  Camluck - Ara Newton
      Purchaser:  ROBERT MCINTOSH, AGENT, Windsor, ON               72,000
ABE THE BABE  b.c,  Incredible Abe - Royal Intrigue
        Purchaser:  IAN FLEMING, Londesboro, ON                        6,500
 CAMSKRIT SANDOVER  b.f,  Camluck - Sanskrit Hanover
    Purchaser:  ROBERT MCINTOSH, AGENT, Windsor, ON               72,000
WARRAWEE EAGLE  b.c,  Balanced Image - Scotchery Hanover
          Purchaser:  GREGG MCNAIR, Guelph, ON                         67,000
MYSTIFIED  ch.c,  Camluck - Angels Uprising
     Consignor: Boyce Stables Inc, Agent/L & L Fitzsimmons, & L Jackson
     Purchaser:  ROBERT MCINTOSH, AGENT, Windsor, ON              97,000

CORPORATE JET  b.c,  Camluck - Arabelle Hanover
          Purchaser:  BEN WALLACE, Milton, ON                          52,000
. CHELEMARK CANDY  b.f,  Mr Lavec - Chelemark Jan
          Purchaser:  MURRAY BRETHOUR, Sunderland, ON                  47,000
VILLAGE CAMALUCK  b.c,  Camluck - Cider House
        Purchaser:  BENOIT BAILLARGEON, Rockwood, ON                 30,000
 CINNAMON TURNOVER  b.c,  Rustler Hanover - Cinnamon Snow
        Purchaser:  BEN WALLACE, Milton, ON                          35,000
CRAFTY DEXTER  b.c,  Dexter Nukes - Allamerican Craft
          Purchaser:  BERNARD FERGUSON, Blenheim, ON                   27,000
DREAM ALONE  br.f,  Mr Lavec - Only Dreaming
          Purchaser:  MARK STEACY, Landsowne, ON                       35,000
GUARDIAN IMAGE  b.f,  Balanced Image - Guard The Dream
          Purchaser:  JOHN BAX, Peterborough, ON                       27,000
GARRISON SEELSTER  b.c,  Camluck - Glendale Kim
         Purchaser: JODY JAMIESON STABLE INC., Dundas, ON             38,000
DAYLON ISSUE  b.c,  Dexter Nukes - Ileana Hanover
          Purchaser:  BRUNO COMEGNA, Campbellville, ON                 45,000
ILL BE INCREDIBLE  b.f,  Incredible Abe - Jazz Glory
         Purchaser:  SCOTT & JADE ZERON, Oakville, ON                 27,000
                                                             
KINGDOM  b.c,  King Conch - Last Rites
         Purchaser:  SCOTT & JADE ZERON, Oakville, ON                 30,000

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I have posted what I think is a great picture of one of our sport's all time greatest horsemen William "Billy" Haughton . I don't think that too many people will disagree with this assessment that is widely shared by anyone who ever heard of him . I had the opportunity to see him out on the track on a few occasions and needless to say as he drove by, most observers took note .When he died tragically in 1986 the world of harness racing went into a lengthy period of mourning for one its all time greats .He was a complete horsemen who was flawless in all facets of the sport . As the saying goes "He could do it all" and HE DID .Mr. Haughton combined some human qualities that are quite rare ...class,talent and a great sportsman .

 

At the risk of veering slightly "off the track" I started thinking of an old subject as I looked at this picture as Billy was opening a pack of Camel cigarettes .Anyone remember the old advertising slogan " I'd walk a mile for a Camel ..." .Today if we were to see one of our idols smoking we would be amazed . How times have changed .

 

At one time especially when I was young ,I think just about everybody smoked . Nothing was thought of it and every young boy (and many girls) had taken their first "puff" about the time you became a teenager . Cigarettes and cigars could be purchased just about anywhere and by anybody who had the 33 cents a pack in their pocket . Today they are kept behind closed doors . As an ex smoker I think the world has done the right thing as it is unlikely that smoking ever did anybody much good .I am almost ashamed to admit it but growing up around a sawmill as I did I have even sampled the odd "cud" of chewing tobacco !! Talk about a disgusting habit ....

 

Just from memory I started to jot down the old cigarette brands that I could remember . I didn't seek out any help from places like the Internet so there could be a lot more .Also don't forget that a lot of real heavy duty smokers rolled their own using Vogue papers !!.I have even heard stories of a couple of old time trainers like Tom French and Barney Hughes who rolled a few cigarettes and went out to jog a horse . Instead of counting laps they returned to the barn when the cigarettes were done .

 

Canadian Brands -Players,Players Filter,Export A,Buckingham,Winchester,Sweet Caporal,Philip Morris,Du Maurier,Rothmans,Peter Jackson,Cameo,Daily Mail,British Consols,Craven A ,Matinee,Black Cat,Pall Mall,Benson & Hedges .

 

U.S. Brands -Camel,Lucky Strike,Chesterfield,L & M Filter,Old Gold,Kent,Pall Mall,Marlboro,Philip Morris ,Kools

As one of the truly great WEEKS in harness racing approaches, that being Little Brown Jug Week, "Recollections"  covers some of the early history of this great Race .The 2011 edition of the LBJ will be held on the afternoon of Thursday September 22 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware Ohio . 

 

The very first "Jug" was held in 1946 although the planning and groundwork for this now famous race began as far back as 1937 when the Delaware County Fair moved its location from Powell to Delaware Ohio .One of the first jobs was to choose a name for the race and this was done through a newspaper contest in which readers submitted their suggestions,and literally thousands were received . The name that was selected  while associated with a number of things including the famous song, also commemorated the name of a great horse of the 1800's who starred on the Grand Circuit . Two years later a half mile track was constructed at this location on the northern edge of the city .Suffice is to say that it has been well used in the years that have followed .

 

Accounts of the first Jug stated that by noon on the day of the race the parking area was completely filled with cars from many States as far away as Florida and numerous other States throughout the mid west . Many automobiles with Canadian plates were present as well . It was safe to say that a great Race was well on its way .The original Jug day was part of a 4 day race meeting much like what has happened in the ensuing years .

 

An estimated crowd of 27,000 watched the 1946 Inaugural on September 18th. It drew a total of 9 entrants and carried a purse of $35,358.65, quite a sum in those days . One of the main aims of the originators of the race was to give pacers a race that would be comparable in status to the Hambletonian which was started in 1927 and of course for Trotters only .The first race was won by Ensign Hanover owned by the Castleton Farms of Lexington Ky.  .He was driven by a local favourite Wayne "Curly" Smart , a gentleman who would continue to be associated with this great race and a name known and respected around the world .He would win the race one more time and that was in 1952 with Meadow Rice .

 

If you believe in Fortune Telling ,reading tea leaves etc. someone should have been able to predict this winning combination . Almost exactly to the day ,one year earlier at the 1945 Delaware Race meeting, a horse named Curly Smart (by Volomite) owned by one the Jug's Founders Jos. Neville as well a the then two year old Ensign Hanover both scored victories !! .

 

The first Jug took 4 heats to declare a winner .After 3 separate winning horses took the first 3 heats, the 3 horses with the heat victories faced off in the 4th . Ensign Hanover paced home first in 2:07 1/2 to etch his name into the record books .The record mile time set on opening day belonged to Royal Chief  who went in 2:02 3/4 a record that stood until Good Time bettered it in 1949 .The second heat was won by a mare His Lady who ended up finishing second in the fourth and deciding heat .

 

Today this now famous Race has reached heights never imagined and the Race's website carries the following statement as a tribute to its status .

 

"The Little Brown Jug is a part of Americana. And it shall ever remain so "

 

Please Tune again for another "Jug Recollection " .

Picture - Driver Del Cameron the first two time winner of the Jug is shown with 1947 winner Forbes Chief .He won the 1951 Edition with Tar Heel -Photo courtesy of USTA thanks to Ed Keyes

At this time elimination heats had yet to be introduced .If a large field of horses drew in for the race ,they all started together which necessitated racing in tier formation ,sometimes three deep . This year a total of 14 starters contested the Jug . The field was dominated by several colts sired by Billy Direct and also by a powerful entry of 3 top flight colts all from the stable of The Estate of W.N. Reynolds of Winston Salem N.C. ,all trained by Delvin Miller . Many experts of the day believed that any one of the three, Tar Heel,Solicitor and Direct Rhythm could have won the race and indeed if not in together may have won it all in another year .

 

This year's race carried a purse of $ 66,280.55  and was settled in two heats as Tar Heel was a convincing winner, driven by Del Cameron .Trainer Delvin Miller was faced with the difficult yet enviable task of choosing catch drivers and his choice of Cameron was a wise one as he had previously won this event in 1947 thus making him the very first driver to win the race twice .After scoring a win in the opening heat in 2:01 ,the pair came back again victorious in the second heat and stopped the timer in 2:00 Flat thus establishing the first ever "Miracle Mile" in Jug history .The other Miller trainees took home second and fourth place standings .

 

Jug week saw racing on 4 days starting on Sept. 18 and ending Sept. 21 . In all, 37 heats were held and the largest purse outside of the Jug was for The "Old Oaken Bucket" for Three year old trotters which had a prize of $6,500 . It was won by a Volomite colt named Might Fine the property of Hayes Fair Acres of DuQuoin Ill. and driven by Benny Schue  . All of the sport's top drivers were always in attendance a this increasingly famous race . Present this year  were such noted reinsmen as Adelbert Cameron,Delvin Miller, Frank Ervin,Harry Pownall,Hugh Bell,Sanders Russell,Richard Buxton,Harry Fitzpatrick,Curly Smart,Roy Reigle and Edgar Leonard .Interestingly no Canadian owned horses or Canadian drivers entered the winner's circle during this Jug week .That of course would change in the years ahead .

 

On the second day of racing, a Time Trial was held in which a 2 year old filly Gay Rose was sent out to beat her previous record of 2:09.3 .She was locally owned by Wendell Kirk of New Holland Ohio and driven by his brother McKinley Kirk .They covered the speedy half mile oval in that identical time and her name was recorded as "Lost" in the time trial as to be recorded as "Won" a horse must actually achieve a time slower than that listed "To Beat" .

 

More to follow .

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Picture - Little Brown Jug Founders Hank Thomson and Joe Neville (Courtesy LBJ Archives)

   

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October 1951

 

Dillon Flicka, the now 8 year old chestnut mare owned by Otterville Ont. tobacco farmer Ed Arthur has returned home after a successful campaign at several U.S. tracks . With the end of racing on November 15th at Yonkers Raceway in New York City, most activity has completed for the season .Dillon Flicka who originates from the Dr. Meldrum Farm at Norwich Ontario has been a formidable stable star for Mr. Arthur who is among the new wave of Ontario horsemen entering the sport following WW II .

 

This Dillon Mc sired mare started her racing career at the small town racing centers near home and proved that she was capable of moving further afield . She has often raced at Northville Downs in Michigan and at both U.S. border tracks in New York State, Batavia and Buffalo . Earlier in her career she was handled by Sarnia horseman Alfie Moore and more recently owner Arthur has taken up the driving chores himself . In her most recent "Big Apple" stint at Yonkers, she raced very well for "Ancaster" Bill Harvey .She won her third to last start in an event for a purse of $ 1500 with Harvey handling the driving . She retires to winter quarters with lifetime earnings in excess of $ 24,000  ,$ 4,301 of it earned this season .She possesses a speed badge of 2:06 2/5 hmt . Undoubtedly when her racing days are over she will make an excellent broodmare for the Arthur's who have indicated that they wish to gradually expand their operation .

 

Note : Ed Arthur and his wife Annie were long time participants in the sport and widely known and loved by the entire racing fraternity .He served many years on the CTA Board for Zone 8. They did not have any children but their nephew Douglas Arthur, learned the business under his uncle's tutelage and has spent a lifetime in harness racing .His many years as an owner,trainer and driver were associated with such horses as Cam Fella,Justin Passing,Mystery Skipper and Turola Hanover just to name a few .