Malek Hanover-Bo Sowers Walter Dale preview

This story appeared in The Daily Gleaner newspaper on Saturday, June 29, 2013.

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By NICK MURRAY

For the past two years, Bo Sowers has tried to capture the premier race at the track dearest to him.

But he's finished in second place both times with Malek Hanover.

MALEK HANOVER

Monday afternoon, Sowers will try again to win the oldest free-for-all race in Canada, as the Fredericton Raceway hosts the 58th running of the Walter Dale Memorial Invitational Pace.  The 13-race card kicks off at 1:00 pm; with gates opening at 12:30 pm.  Admission is free.

Sowers was born and raised in Fredericton and has become one of the premier harness racing drivers in Maine, earning nearly $1.3 million in winnings over his career.  The purse for the Walter Dale is $4,000, but Sowers said he's not here for the money.

“Being from Fredericton and watch­ing this race growing up, and as a kid saying, 'I'm either going to drive it and win it, or I'm going to have a horse in it and win it,' just to win that race would mean a lot,” said Sowers.  “A lot of people around Maine here asked, 'Why are you even going; it's only $4,000?' It could go for nothing, it wouldn't matter - just to win that race.”

Sowers has two shots to win it this year because he's entered two horses that he trains.  Sowers is driving Grimsby, a five-year-old grey gelding making his first appearance in the Walter Dale and leaving fourth from the rail.  The morning line has him at 8-1 odds.  The other, Malek Hanover, has finished second in the last two runnings.  He's on the outside in the six-horse field and will be steered by local driver Todd Trites.  Malek Hanover is listed at 3-1 on the morning line.

MALEK HANOVER

The favorite is Carnivore at 5-2 odds, trained by Earl Watts of Prince Edward Island, and to be driven by Gordie Hennessey.  Another Watts trained horse, Windemere Express, is listed at 7-2 odds with Mark Haig in the sulky.

The $4,000 purse is a drop from last year's $6,000, and Horse Racing New Brunswick Executive Director Jeff Malloy said it's been a battle to even run the race since the provincial government withdrew its financial support.

“Coming into July 1st, it's disappointing we don't have any Atlantic Sires Stakes races,” said Malloy. “Traditionally (Canada Day) at the Fredericton Raceway was the marquee event in the Maritimes, and we would have the Walter Dale as the feature then have the top three-year-old pacers from all over Atlantic Canada come.  But due to the lack of funding we had to withdraw from that program. It's tough.”

All Atlantic Sires Stakes races were scrapped across the province because of a lack of funding from Horse Racing New Brunswick, which is a result of the provincial government pulling its funding for the sport.

Malloy said last year, the government funded approximately $100,000 to Horse Racing New Brunswick, but that's less than half of what the Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia governments contribute.  The Atlantic Sires program has been running in the province for the past 30 years.

Last year's Walter Dale winner, McApulco, broke a 19-year track record in the race, and Malek Hanover also beat the track record finishing in second place.  This is the first time Trites has steered the two-time runner-up, but Trites has won the Walter Dale four times already.  Malloy said a new record could be set Monday.

“The caliber of horses is getting better every year,” said Malloy. “If the fractions and the speed is early then there's a really good chance the track record could fall again.” 

Sowers said he's not alone in his run Monday, as he'll have his sons McKenzie and McGwire, his wife Tammy, and his friend Shayne Wight by his side.

Tammy and Bo Sowers

"It's going to be a different style race, but it's going to be interesting,” said Sowers.  “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication (to) have your horses ready and have yourself mentally ready.”

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Malek Hanover (Western Hanover-Michelles Heart-Artsplace)

p.4,1:51.3f-1:53.3h ($238,418)

Lifetime record:  193-41-33-24

Owner:  Ledgehill Farm, Arnprior, Ontario

Trainer:  Bo Sowers

Career Highlight:  Winner 2012 Kelti Burnett Memorial in Woodstock in 1:56 for Mike Stevenson

Career year:  2011 - 27-14-4-4-$73,709-1:53.3h

Malek Hanover fact:  Raced as a $4,500 claimer in 2008 prior to coming to the Maritimes.  He has won 37 races and earned over $180,000 since then.

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For more blogs on New Brunswick harness racing go to thefrederictonscene.blogspot.ca

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The History of the Walter Dale Memorial

Next Monday, July 1, the 58^th running of the Walter Dale Memorial will be held at Fredericton Raceway.  It is the longest running free-for-all race in Atlantic Canada.

The $3,000 inaugural race on August 9, 1956 was a two-heat affair won by the mare, Jerry’s Nightmare, in consecutive heats of 2:06-2:09.  

Local hopes were held by Slicker Tass and trainer-driver Bruce MacDonald of Lincoln but they only managed second place finishes in both heats.  Slicker Tass and MacDonald are members of the Fredericton Raceway Wall of Fame.

Below is an account of that race that was in The Daily Gleaner newspaper the following day.

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A dark horse, Jerry’s Nightmare, owned by Ike McCully of Truro, NS and driven by Clayton MacLeod, showed her heels to some of the fastest harness  horses in the Maritimes last night to win both heats of the $3,000 Walter Dale Memorial Stake at Fredericton Raceway.

Twice, the six-year-old mare turned on a burst of speed coming around the paddock turn and into the stretch, with Bruce MacDonald’s Slicker Tass hot on her heels, to cross the wire in 2:06 in the first dash and 2:09 in the finale.

The 2:06 mile by the fast pacing mare, sired by Abner T Clegg, cracked the post-war record of 2:07 for the Fredericton track set in 1950 by Private George.  She also lowered her own record from 2:09 and paced the second fastest mile in the Maritimes this year.

Over 3,500 fans packed the stands and along the railing at the local oval to witness the event, named in honor of Walter Dale who in 1937 established a Canadian record here when he toured the oval in 2:02 ½ for the mile.  It was also a big night at the mutuels with over $30,000 wagered on the eight heats.

The two wins for the Nova Scotia mare was one of the biggest upsets of the season.  With Slicker Tass and Dave Gratton, owned by L and G Stables of Halifax and driven by Lloyd Walker, the favorites at the mutuels, Jerry’s Nightmare paid $87.80 to win to 22 backers in the first heat and $8.50 in the second.

Although the 2:09 mile was disappointing in the second time out for the free-for-allers, Jerry’s Nightmare legged the second half in a terrific 1:01.1 for the fastest half mile of the season in the Maritimes.

In the first mile, Dave Gratton moved from his pole position with Jerry’s Nightmare scoring from the sixth, right behind him, while Slicker Tass pacing two on the outside, trying for the top.  The field hit the one-quarter pole in 30 seconds and at the half with Dave Gratton in the lead, they were clocked in 1:03.4.

Flaming Way, owned and driven by Lorne Fletcher of Springhill, pulled out from seventh and last position in a bid to catch the leaders at the half and Slicker Tass once again attempted   to make the top but Dave Gratton, with Jerry’s Nightmare breathing down driver walker’s neck, were pacing too fast.

Down the backstretch the field bunched up and at the three-quarter mark MacLeod took his mare out in front and charged down the stretch pursued by Slicker Tass.  MacDonald couldn’t get the needed speed out of his bay gelding and finished second, a half-length behind the winner.

Ann’s Dream, owned by J.K. Curran of Summerside, PEI and driven by Frank Robinson, placed third with Dave Gratton back in fourth.  Flaming Way was fifth, Abbot Maplecroft (Ned Lindon) was sixth and Josedale Double Hal (Milton Downey) was seventh.

Scoring from the fourth position in the wind-up, Jerry’s Nightmare moved swiftly across the track and into the number one spot along the rail, with Dave Gratton behind her, and stayed there until the finish.  As the field left the wire for the final half, it picked up speed.

Once again they bunched up at the paddock turn, but Jerry’s Nightmare was pacing fast in first spot and this time beat Slicker Tass by a length at the wire.  Flaming Way nosed out Dave Gratton for the show place then Ann’s Dream, Abbot Maplecroft and Josedale Double Hal.

ABBOT MAPLECROFT and Bob Clowater

For owner Ike McCully it was a big night.  His mare earned him $1,500 and a horse cooler donated by Dr. J.T. Atkins, secretary of the race committee of Fredericton Exhibition, sponsors of the race.

A total of $10,345 was wagered at the mutuels on the two dashes, $5,682 in the opening heat and $4,662 in the second.  

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Leading up to the race next week, I will be adding pictures and notes of various winners of the Walter Dale Memorial through its 58 year history on Facebook at Fredericton Raceway 125.  Please check daily.

Thanks to Doug McCarty for his research on Walter Dale history.

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For more blogs on New Brunswick harness racing go to thefrederictonscene.blogspot.ca

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Brunswick Downs

Exactly 50 years ago this weekend, on Saturday, June 15, 1963, Brunswick Downs in Moncton opened its doors with a new name and management team.  Formerly called Moncton Raceway - which itself opened in 1946 - Brunswick Downs became an integral part of the Maritime harness racing scene until a fire destroyed the grandstand on August 30, 1981.  It was later determined that the fire had been caused by arson, the second such attempt within a month.

There was no harness racing in Moncton for another three years until Champlain Raceway was built on the same site with a new state of the art grandstand and five-eighths mile racetrack in 1984.

To commemorate the historical opening of Brunswick Downs, I am reprinting the following story that appeared in the Moncton Daily Times, trumpeting the opening and all its improvements.

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Moncton and district harness racing fans are in for a top-notch season if the caliber of racing at the local oval comes anywhere near Brunswick Downs enthusiastic start.  Since the company was formed early last winter and bought out Moncton Raceway February 2, 1963, a “sell”, the likes of which has never been seen by local fans, has been on.

Brunswick Downs, headed by Ingham Palmer, Jr., a former radio announcer in Saint John and track announcer at Saint John’s Exhibition Park, has several prominent names listed in its directory.  Among them are F. Gordon MacLeod of St. Martins, vice-president and E.A. Keyes of Moncton as secretary-treasurer.  Directors include J.A. Keefe of Moncton, J. Edward Murphy, QC. of Moncton, Harvey Hicks and Ingham Palmer, Sr. both of Moncton.

Much has been done and much is planned at the oval to give fans the best in the “trot and pace” sport and also the best in comfort while watching.  Local fans will have an opportunity to see for themselves, the renovations made up to this time when the track swings into action on Saturday, June 15, 1963.

Though the track has changed tremendously since work began some six weeks ago much more is in store.  

As Palmer Jr. says, “Most of our improvements have been in places where the public cannot see them.”  

Palmer added that Brunswick Downs had hoped to give the preference in renovating the grandstand area but due to the deplorable stable conditions this took preference.  Of the 101 stalls at the track, more than 70 required new roofs and floors and of this number most required extensive wall and door repairs.  Work in this area took up much time but horsemen now have better facilities in which to stable their charges.  Work in the stables will continue for some time with the erection of 36 new stalls in the offing.  The area formerly occupied by the hanger, which was demolished two months ago, will be the site of these stalls.

In front of the grandstand patrons will readily notice the removal of a stock car track and the resulting leveling of the infield area.  In time grass and flowers will grace the area once occupied by the stock car circuit.  A new tote board, measuring 22 feet long and only five feet high, has been erected in the centerfield.  Eventually a horseshoe shaped winner’s circle will be installed to the right of the tote board.  Around the track the old hub rail has been torn down and replaced by a new one.  A great deal of work on the track surface has been done. Due to the amount of snow fall this past winter and frost heaves, much of the track required work.  In the upper turn before the stretch, 400 feet of drainage tile was installed around the outer rim and deep ditches around the inner rim of the turn.

The application of paint in the grandstand area has made the area brighter and prettier.  Seats have been painted yellow, red and blue.  A white and yellow job to the pari-mutual section was also added.  Considerable work to the mutuals has resulted in changes for both the workers and bettors.  In days gone by the bettor had to squint through chicken wire as he placed his wager. Now this barrier has been destroyed and replaced by an open counter running the full length of the betting section.

Improvements have also been made to the track’s lighting system.  Around the outside of the track repairs have been made to the high fences which serve as a background as the horses flash by.  The fence, along the full length of the backstretch and around the lower turn, has been repaired.

All starts at the track will be handled by one of the smartest and most efficient starting gates in the Maritimes.  A gleaming white convertible, customized to accommodate the wings of the gate, will be used.  The qualities of this gate will assure the starter better control of the horses.

Among future plans is a patio near the grandstand and other not-yet-revealed renovations and improvements.  

Palmer Jr. himself stated that, “The Downs is a long way from being the most elaborate track in the Maritimes but I think we’ll, in time, have the smartest operation of any. And added improvements will give us a track that shouldn’t take a back seat to any.”

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Currently, in New Brunswick there are only three tracks racing - Fredericton, Saint John and Woodstock – but during the first half of the twentieth century there were as many as 20 operating at any given time.   If you read some of my earlier blogs, you may recall how New Brunswick and the rest of the Maritimes Provinces were the hotbed of harness racing in Canada during that time.  I made mention of how driving clubs in Atlantic Canada and Maine boasted of “community-owned” horses. 

I consider the peak years for New Brunswick harness racing tracks to be from the end of the First World War in 1918 to the beginning of the Second World War in 1939.  In 1919, racing returned to New Brunswick very strongly and among the new tracks that had opened or were opening included Island Park in Woodstock, Bathurst, Campbellton and the Sussex Speedway. 

Below is a list of list of historical race tracks in New Brunswick - which are no longer operating - with the years that there were recorded race meets and their track records.  Some track opening and closing dates are estimates though we do know racing occurred between these dates.  However, not all tracks raced annually and at times there were many years or decades between racing meets.  As well, most or all tracks in New Brunswick were closed or used as military training centres during the two World Wars, especially World War II.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the records below.  If you are able to add or correct any of the content, please contact me at cjsp81@hotmail.com

NEW BRUNSWICK HISTORICAL RACE TRACKS

Andover (1947-1948)

Four Freedoms - 2:09/3 (p) 1947

Barachois, Ocean Park (1967-1968)

Caledonian Scott - 2:02 ½ (p) 1968

Bathurst (1917-1941)

Jeanne Truax - 2:12 (p) 1941

Bristol (1899-1900)

Dora - 2:24 ¼ (t) 1901

Bouctouche (1937-1991)

Copper Magnate - 2:03.3 (p) 1991

Alloway - 2:08 ½ (t) 1940

Campbellton (1916-1939)                                                            

Jeanne Truax - 2:11 ¾ (p) 1939

Chatham (1903-1982)                                                    

Wade’s Bret - 2:04.4 (p) 1978

Watchim - 2:08 ½ (t) 1944

Chatham  (1994)                                              

Hortons Light - 2:03.4 (p) 1994

Claire (1921-1938)                                                                          

Peter Onward - 2:09 ½ (p) 1938

Dorchester (1927-1937)                                

Jean Stratton - 2:15 (p) 1937

Captain H - 2:28 (t) 1927

Edmundston (1900-1946)

Hot Feet - 2:04 ¾ (p) 1946

Lady Glenn - 2:19 (t) 1901

Elgin                                                                     

Mary Kenna - 2:12 ½ (t) 1922

Grand Falls                                                        

Simon - 2:21 ¼ (p) 1907

Havelock                                                            

Queenie May - 2:22 (p) 1935

Hope River                                                        

Home Rule - 3:08 (t) 1888

Memramcook (1892-1893)                                                          

Brazilian - 2:30 (t) 1893

Moncton Driving Park (1881-)                                   

Hedgewood K - 2:08 ¼ (p) 1928

Lincoln Axworthy - 2:12 ½ (t) 1929

Moncton Raceway (1946-1962)

Brunswick Downs (1963-1981)  

Power Baron - 2:00.2 (p) 1979

Maple Leaf Scooter - 2:05.4 (t) 1978

Moncton - Champlain Raceway / NB Downs (1984-1991)

Broussard - 1:52.3 (p) 1991

Maple Leaf Bramble - 2:00.4 (t) 1986

Port Elgin (1896-1957, 1994-1996)                                                            

Price Lee Steady - 2:01 (p) 1996

Duke Potemkin - 2:14 (t) 1939

Marjorie Hanover – 2:14 (t) 1944

Sackville (1908-1946)                                                    

Rhea Mae - 2:09 ¼ (p) 1946

Estell Boy - 2:17 ¾ (t) 1908

Shediac (1886-1938)                                                      

Happy L - 2:10 (p) 1938

Thorndale Echo - 2:30 (t) 1896

St. Stephen (1886-1944)                                                               

Walter Dale - 2:05 (p) 1937

Watchim - 2:06 ¾ (t) 1944

Sussex Corner (1899-1909)                                         

Simassie - 2:13 (p) 1906

Ituna - 2:15 ½ (t) 1902

Phebon W - 2:15 ½ (t) 1904

                                               

Sussex Speedway (1918-1920, 1944-1950)                                           

McKylo Cash - 2:08 (p) 1947

Sunnymede - 2:11 ¾ (t) 1945

Woodstock Trotting Park (1881- 1909)                   

Silk Patchen - 2:11 ½ (p) 1909

Beatrice Greely - 2:16 ¾ (t) 1904                                               

Woodstock, Island Park (1919-1967)                       

Comte Richelieu - 2:04.4 (p) 1966

Calument Calling - 2:07 ½ (t) 1939

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This year will be the 45^th anniversary of Connell Park Raceway’s opening in Woodstock on July 25, 1968 and I will look at the history of harness racing in New Brunswick’s first incorporated town - with a focus on the famous Island Park racetrack which was located in the Saint John River between Woodstock and Grafton - in the coming weeks.  Island Park had harness racing from 1919 until 1967 when the island was completely submerged by the construction of the Mactaquac dam.

Connell Park Raceway will host its only card of harness racing this year on Friday, August 2. 

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I would like to acknowledge Doug McCarty and Patrick Eastwood’s contribution to this blog.  Most of the content for the historical tracks records was researched by Doug.

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For more blogs on New Brunswick harness racing go to thefrederictonscene.blogspot.ca

For more historical data, pictures and stories please LIKE Fredericton Raceway 125 on Facebook.

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