Beyond the Finish Line

Horse Racing Blog by Beverley Smith

 

By BEVERLEY SMITH

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Legends Day 2019

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The hands that won the Legends Invitation Trot.

 

It’s become a mecca, that little Clinton Racetrack, every two years, as the legends of harness driving make the trek from all corners. And bow to the sport that was born in the little bowls, where horses’ hooves kick up little plumes of dust, and the hollers of drivers around the final turn as things get intense is very real and close.

It’s Legends Day at Clinton. All spring, since the track opened, it’s rained every Sunday. Not this Sunday. It’s practically idyllic. All good news for the man who dreamed it up: Ian Fleming, about to find his way into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in another month or so. There’s even a race named after him on the card.

Ian Fleming, general manager of Clinton Raceway on the right, John Campbell on the left.

So a little out past Willy’s Burger Bar, and the Bitondo Pizzeria and the “Good News, Drive-In Gospel Meeting” sign along the way, is a party for a sport. And this is what it looked like:

It’s Maxine, a 92-year-old uber fan from London. Everybody knows her. She arrives early, scopes the grounds for a program and makes a beeline for Maritimer Wally Hennessey, the king of Pompano Park who used to drive the great trotting mare, Moni Maker. Maxine tells him he’s her favourite, that he’s the sexiest of them all and that if she were 40 years younger…..They were last seen together deep in conversation about Moni Maker.
The legends of the sport sign countless autographs while behind them is a local hospital fundraising auction.
There is a long lineup of kids seeking autographs from the legends

 

Dave Wall, Mr. Ontario Sires Stakes,. is highly amused at a visitor’s comment. He drove the likes of Goodtimes, who piled up the accolades and purse money and finished third in the Elitlopp Trot in Sweden.
Trevor Ritchie is about to be inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Ian Fleming talked him into driving at this event for the first time since he retired from driving in races five years ago.
Doug Brown. multiple O”Brien Driver of the Year winner, looks pensive.
Steve Condren, winner of the Invitation Trot last time out in 2017,  looks confident.
The barbecues are working overtime.
Nuff said.
The parade marshall puts on her sparkle for the day.
Doug Brown leads the post parade for the Legends Invitation Trot with Azucar.
Brownie was unbeatable on the Ontario Jockey Club circuit from 1988 to 1997, with seven O’Brien Awards as leading driver in Canada. He won the Yonkers Trot and the World Trotting Derby with Lord Stormont and was the regular driver of Canadian Horse of the year Town Pro.
Trevor Ritchie, with Lets Leavem, hopes to do just that. He can drive a trotter with anybody.
Trevor Ritchie won the 2000 Hambletonian with Yankee Paco, first time a Canadian-bred had won this race. He drove Peaceful Way to win the 2006 Maple Leaf Trot. And he could drive pacers, too, winning the 1986 North America Cup with Quite A Sensation.
Ohio native Dave Miller is back for the second time, giving up an entire day of big purse money in the United States to be here.
There aren’t many drivers who have won more races than Dave Miller, who has at least 12,700 to his credit. He’s the third money-winning driver in history, with $234-million. John Campbell is tops with almost $300-million in his career. And Miller, 54, has won the Little Brown Jug three times. Nothing rattles this guy.

 

Dave Wall, born in the same hospital as I was, is ready for action with A J Cash, which has already won 9 of 17 starts this year.

 

Wally Hennessey, here for the first time, drives race favourite Nebraska Jack, a consistent Preferred trotter.

 

Wally Hennessey became the 17th driver to win more than 10,000 races in his career last January and at age 62 has no plans to stop. He also drove the fleet pacer Cambest.

 

Ron Waples, known for pulling out wins that nobody expects, gets ready with Lady Caterina. She broke stride two starts ago at the start.

 

Ron Waples is in two Halls of Fame. His list of accomplishments is long, but starts off with co-owning and driving Triple Crown winner Ralph Hanover, as well as No Sex Please, winner of the Maple Leaf Trot three times and two Breeders Crowns, setting two world records. Waples also won the Hambletonian with Park Avenue Joe and the Little Brown Jug with Fake Left. He was a driving wizard.

 

Steve Condren starts from the outside seventh post with All Out Henry.

 

Steve Condren, at 62, looks the picture of health, spending lots of time lugging his golf clubs and working with young horses. But he made his name with 6,845 wins and 27 consecutive $2-million-plus seasons. He won the 1989 North America Cup with Goalie Jeff and the Canadian Trotting Classic three times.

 

Wally Hennessey gets off to a fast start and takes the lead off the gate – while Ron Waples’ Lady Caterina breaks stride.

 

There is nothing like a trotter who is at this stage of his/her gait. Hennessey leads after the first half mile.

 

Dave Miller wins, but looks over as his competition closes in on him.

 

Dave Miller gets a kiss from winning trainer Mary Paulic.

 

A win that means so much. Dominum Deo.

 

Congrats are in order from Condren, last year’s winner, and John Campbell, who ended his illustrious driving career last year at Clinton.

 

And the day ends this way.

 

 

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Comments

  2. Tom says

    Absolutely incredible and well thought out.
    Thank you Bev. For putting this together.
    And I’m a thoroughbred fan.
    Also loved picture and caption saying
    I have no money

    Reply

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