Where Have The Years Gone?

[Teach]

Where have the years gone? It seems like only yesterday that I was playing stick-ball and handball in the schoolyards of my old Boston neighborhood. This past May, I celebrated my 50th high school reunion. In a few months, my wife and I will celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary (how she's put up with me over all these years I'll never know). My daughter turned 40 last July (boy, do I feel old). Yet, one anniversary I find hard to believe is the fact that in early-August, 1958 (coming up on 53 years) I bet on my first harness race.

What triggered this walk down memory lane? Frankly, it was seeing the name of Mark Beckwith as a driver on Saturday's Freehold card (I don't believe Mark has driven at Freehold for many, many months). When I first saw Mark's name, I immediately thought of his late father - rest his soul - Bert Beckwith. How could I forget those black-white-and red colors. As publicity director and back-up harness racing announcer (I succeeded the late Joe Hartmann) at Foxboro Raceway in the mid-1980s, I got to talk with Bert Beckwith on a couple occasions. One thing about Bert, he always impressed me as a quiet kind of guy (even the way he drove horses was "quiet"). On the racetrack, you wouldn't see a lot of whipping and driving from Bert Beckwith. He had a way of coaxing horses (I believe my favorite Bert Beckwith horse was Charmax). Bert knew exactly when to give a horse a slight whip-tap. I always admired his driving skills.

Thinking about Bert has also brought back a flood of memories. So many names: Clifford "Tug" Boyd from Vermont's "Northeast Kingdom"; NH's Alfred "Bucky" Day (I met and shared a brew with "Bucky" on "Bucky" Day day at Foxboro Raceway). Leroy Copeland. Jim Hogan (Jack's father). Frank Safford. Clarence Hansen. Stan Tweedie. Floyd Colbath. Loring Norton. Peter Blood. Maine's Odbrey Ginn. Bruce Ranger. Ted Wing. Billy Parker. Mel Beckwith (Bert's father) and Bert's older brother, Willard Beckwith. Dave Pinkney. Medric "Sonny" Beauchesne, Jr. Bruce Ranger. Steve O'Toole. Oh, there have been so many names over the years. Most of these names came from Foxboro Raceway and NH's Rockingham Park. At Suffolk Downs (they used to run a one-month late-fall meet), I recall drivers Harry Burright and Bob Farrington. Oh, and Suffolk's colorful Midwest announcer, Gil Lavene. Lavene had a way of generating a lot of excitement.

Some of my favorite horses were: Ivan Chief, Hawkin's Hoss, Jerry Dean, Tanker T, O Jazz Beau, Cold Front, and Adios Butler (he appeared at Foxboro one evening) and, of course, Charmax.

Oh, where have the years gone. It's so hard to believe Bert Beckwith left us so soon (I believe he died in 1987 at the age of 42). Yet, his memory will always will linger within me. The soft-spoken man who could drive with the best of them. Yes, it'll be fifty-three years this summer that I saw and bet on my first harness race. I recall it was a $2 show bet on a mare named Adios Lucy. The horse finished third and paid 2.60 to show.

Well, maybe, just maybe, I'll head down to Plainridge Racecourse this August (Foxboro Raceway has been gone for many years; where the track once stood is now one of the parking lots at Gillette Stadium) and make a $2 show bet (I haven't done that in years). It'll be an anniversary bet of sorts. A bet to remember Foxboro Raceway, Rockingham Park, Suffolk's fall harness meet, and yes, Bert Beckwith.

[wilderness]

from Dec 2, 1964 Harness Horse and Suffolk Downs:

Suffolk Downs
East Boston, Mass.
Half‑Mile Track

SUCCESSFUL MEET CLOSES; NATIONAL SATIN WINS FINAL FEATURE
Suffolk Downs rang down the curtain tonight on a most successful meeting over the new half‑mile track. The total 1964 handle of $12,786,086 represented an increase of three per cent over the 1963 total of $12,473,070. The total attendance for the meet was 238,680, averaging 7,956 nightly. Leading dash driver was Herve Filion with 14 victories.
The "Au Revoir" feature found National Satin, owned by Tudocs Farm, Middletown, Del., and Widow's Champ, owned by Joseph DeSantis, Jr., and A. L. Wheeler, Fonda and Edmeston, N. Y., in a hopple‑stretching duel through the lane to a photo finish with National Satin getting the nod by a nose.
Good Sailing, the 3‑year‑old filly by Good Time‑Ensignette owned by Dan Gernatt, Collins, N. Y., turned in a 2:081/5 mile in Friday night's feature. Art Nason, handling the filly for the first time, pulled her out of a break at the quarter pole and kept her fifth to the stretch when he sent her to the top to win by a half‑length.
With veteran Harry Coleman doing the piloting, Dee's Boy, the Canadian entry in Thursday night's feature posted 2:092/5 mark over a track soaked by New England's first appreciable rainfall in several weeks. The Scotian Stable's son of White Mountain Boy set the early pace to the half when Buddy Song took over for a quarter but dropped back as Dee's Boy came on again to win by a length over the favorite Honeyville Miss.

Article accompanying photo text:

"Miss Massachusetts" Miss Monika Sands makes the trophy presentation to Harry Coleman driver of Dee's Boy, winner of the feature on November 26. The Scotian Stable owned 8‑year‑old son of White Mountain Boy paced in 2:092/5.

Miss Louise Morgan, a local radio personality, presents the trophy to Del Cote after his win with Cardinal Tom on November 24. The 9‑year‑old gelded son of Cardinal Prince is owned by Midland Farm of Pinehurst, N. C.

[sonnyp]

teach,

you must have seen mountain skipper, new england horse of the year a couple times ?
i remember yonkers inviting his trainer/driver (was it arthur nasson ?) to bring him in for the open pace. he showed up in a 2 horse trailer hauled by the trainer/driver. at the time of entry the guy put himself down to drive which immediately raised eyebrows and questions as to his driving against the "big boys".

"if i don't drive him, he doesn't race" was the reply. yonkers took the entry.

what about the frigid meets in pownal vt. at green mountain ?

harold story, modern day mountain man. kim krawford at 17 driving rebel aaron. del richards driving all those horses owned by the amora life group. what was the name of that huge "silver" trotter ?

i agree.....where have the years gone.

one more......jimmy dougherty. nicest guy you'd ever like to meet

[Vinman]

I was at Yonkers Raceway in July of '71 when they ran the Ed Sullivan Pacing Series for the final time. Ed's show was cancelled that year. Among the horses that ran and won a race or two in that series was Mountain Skipper, driven of course by Arthur Nason. A friend of mine who I introduced to Harness racing that year became a huge Mountain Skipper fan.

Trivia question....in '70 and '71, before the "Bullet Bob Meyer" era, Yonkers had two track announcers.....name 'em. One later became a Thoroughbred track announcer.

At that time, Roosevelt also had two track announcers....name 'em.


Vinman

[sonnyp]

Originally Posted by Vinman

I was at Yonkers Raceway in July of '71 when they ran the Ed Sullivan Pacing Series for the final time. Ed's show was cancelled that year. Among the horses that ran and won a race or two in that series was Mountain Skipper, driven of course by Arthur Nason. A friend of mine who I introduced to Harness racing that year became a huge Mountain Skipper fan.

Trivia question....in '70 and '71, before the "Bullet Bob Meyer" era, Yonkers had two track announcers.....name 'em. One later became a Thoroughbred track announcer.

At that time, Roosevelt also had two track announcers....name 'em.


Vinman

no idea about yonkers but one at roosevelt had to be "and (insert name) can see 'em all" jack e. lee. i still remember one night carmine got parked the whole mile and approaching the 3/4 pole lee announced "and carmine still getting a lot of that good, roosevelt air". classic !

[Vinman]

Originally Posted by sonnyp

no idea about yonkers but one at roosevelt had to be "and (insert name) can see 'em all" jack e. lee. i still remember one night carmine got parked the whole mile and approaching the 3/4 pole lee announced "and carmine still getting a lot of that good, roosevelt air". classic !

In addition to Jack Lee, Roosevelt had another announcer by the name of John Frogge. They would work the cards together. Same deal at Yonkers, where Jim Dolan would kick it off, followed by Max Brewer after the second race. Then Jim would return later. Jim had a very smooth, energetic delivery....."This field is in the hands of the starter.....this field....IS IN MOTION!" Brewer sounded more like Walter Winchell, delivering the phrase "Marshall CALLS the pacers" in a stacatto tone. They were very different, but they were both very good.

Jim Dolan closed out his announcing career at Mountaineer a few years ago.

[wilderness]

Max Brewer died a very young man.

From June 1977 USTA Hoof Beats:

MAX BREWER

Max Brewer, 39, the popular "Voice of Monticello Raceway," died unexpectedly April 25 at his home in South Fallsburg, N.Y. Death was caused by a heart attack.

Mr. Brewer first came to Monticello Raceway in 1965 as Director of Publicity. Then, in 1969, he went into private business in the harness racing industry.
In 1972, Max returned to the Raceway as track announcer, developing a colorful and unique style of calling harness racing, priding himself on never missing a call.

Last year, he joined in partnership with Ronald Gurfein to found Brewer-Gurfein, Ltd., a horse sales agency, located in Monticello.
The Houlton, Me., native was a member of the U. S. Harness Writers Assn. Monticello-Goshen Chapter and the U.S. Trotting Association. He was formerly an associate editor of Harness Horse and Horseman and Fair World.
Survivors include his wife, Christine; two sons, David, 19 and John, 9; daughter, Carol, 16; his father, Alvin, a former horseman, in Presque Isle, Me.; and two brothers, both residing in the Boston area.

[sonnyp]

ran accross this list on another site. you talk about memories,,,try these :


I thought of a couple of other claimers..........

Tombolinas Pride -- Carmine
Mr Fred -- Real Cormier
Super Beetle -- Lucien and others
Sugar Valley Abbe -- Insko
Rostrevor -- Jim Tallman who passed away in a plane crash I believe
Czarinas Star -- Henri
True Sailor -- Frank Darish
Airman -- McKinney Lawhorn
Sunbest Hanover -- Carmine

A few other good ones too....

Tony The Butler -- Lohmeyer
Pammy Lobell -- Haughton or Steal
Ricci Reenie Time -- Harold Dancer Jr.
The Black Gamecock -- I think the driver's name was Marks but am not positive
Graduation Day -- Sholty
George Van Allen -- Carmine
Taurus Romeo -- Carmine
Happy Motoring -- Bill Popfinger
Cold Comfort -- Haughton mostly Peter I think
Kash Minbar -- originally Schroeder then Jimmy Cruise Sr.
Jade Prince -- Jack Kopas
of course on saturday nights ther was the Gam Wah acros the street after the races!!!!



Can you name the regular drivers for all the horses you listed? I remember some:
Sir Dalrae - Dennis
Nick Leroy - Carmine?
Rambling Willie - Farrington
Gov Skipper - Chappie
Big Towner - Loosh
HWC - The Boss
Sandra Lil - Jimmy Cruise
Myakka - Buddy
Mr. Sandman - Carmine
Local Time - Teddy Taylor
Royal Ascot - Henri F
GVA - Carmine
Niatross - Clint
Bonus Pacers:
Albatross - Stanley
Nansemond - Herve
Silk Stockings - Burris
Knowing Bret - Insko
Le Baron Rouge - Williams
Cheyenne Tomahawk - Herve

Delmonica - Chappie?
Spartan H - Boss?
Green Speed - The Boss
Savoir - Insko
Moshannon Express - Ray Romanetti
Bonus Trotters:
Un De Mai - Jean Rene Gougeon
Fresh Yankee - Glen Garnsey
Speedy Crown - Beissinger
CB's Frank - Buddy

[Casino]

Originally Posted by sonnyp

ran accross this list on another site. you talk about memories,,,try these :


I thought of a couple of other claimers..........

Tombolinas Pride -- Carmine
Mr Fred -- Real Cormier
Super Beetle -- Lucien and others
Sugar Valley Abbe -- Insko
Rostrevor -- Jim Tallman who passed away in a plane crash I believe
Czarinas Star -- Henri
True Sailor -- Frank Darish
Airman -- McKinney Lawhorn
Sunbest Hanover -- Carmine

A few other good ones too....

Tony The Butler -- Lohmeyer
Pammy Lobell -- Haughton or Steal
Ricci Reenie Time -- Harold Dancer Jr.
The Black Gamecock -- I think the driver's name was Marks but am not positive
Graduation Day -- Sholty
George Van Allen -- Carmine
Taurus Romeo -- Carmine
Happy Motoring -- Bill Popfinger
Cold Comfort -- Haughton mostly Peter I think
Kash Minbar -- originally Schroeder then Jimmy Cruise Sr.
Jade Prince -- Jack Kopas
of course on saturday nights ther was the Gam Wah acros the street after the races!!!!



Can you name the regular drivers for all the horses you listed? I remember some:
Sir Dalrae - Dennis
Nick Leroy - Carmine?
Rambling Willie - Farrington
Gov Skipper - Chappie
Big Towner - Loosh
HWC - The Boss
Sandra Lil - Jimmy Cruise
Myakka - Buddy
Mr. Sandman - Carmine
Local Time - Teddy Taylor
Royal Ascot - Henri F
GVA - Carmine
Niatross - Clint
Bonus Pacers:
Albatross - Stanley
Nansemond - Herve
Silk Stockings - Burris
Knowing Bret - Insko
Le Baron Rouge - Williams
Cheyenne Tomahawk - Herve

Delmonica - Chappie?
Spartan H - Boss?
Green Speed - The Boss
Savoir - Insko
Moshannon Express - Ray Romanetti
Bonus Trotters:
Un De Mai - Jean Rene Gougeon
Fresh Yankee - Glen Garnsey
Speedy Crown - Beissinger
CB's Frank - Buddy

Remember the TROTTER AND PACER CROWN WOOD with JOE MARSH JR.
Crown Wood ran in the feature trot races on friday nightt at Yomkers against the likes of BOBBO and GRADES SINGING.The trainer converted Crown Wood inot a Pacer a few times and back to a trotter.As a matter of fact he won the American Championship series at Yonkers.Never forget always post 7 or 8 always 1st over and would grind hes way to the lane.Man that brought back memories.

Remember Ideal De Gazeau winning the international back 2 back.Those were the days,Dancer's Crown,Mystic Park,Mack Lobell,Joi De Vei the list goes on .
The best ive seen was Somebeachsomewhere,Niatross,Nihilator.

[bigeastbeast]

In 1983,I cashed a $53 winner at the Big M on Gallery's Brother,driven by Bert Beckwith.

[Casino]

Originally Posted by sonnyp

ran accross this list on another site. you talk about memories,,,try these :


I thought of a couple of other claimers..........

Tombolinas Pride -- Carmine
Mr Fred -- Real Cormier
Super Beetle -- Lucien and others
Sugar Valley Abbe -- Insko
Rostrevor -- Jim Tallman who passed away in a plane crash I believe
Czarinas Star -- Henri
True Sailor -- Frank Darish
Airman -- McKinney Lawhorn
Sunbest Hanover -- Carmine

A few other good ones too....

Tony The Butler -- Lohmeyer
Pammy Lobell -- Haughton or Steal
Ricci Reenie Time -- Harold Dancer Jr.
The Black Gamecock -- I think the driver's name was Marks but am not positive
Graduation Day -- Sholty
George Van Allen -- Carmine
Taurus Romeo -- Carmine
Happy Motoring -- Bill Popfinger
Cold Comfort -- Haughton mostly Peter I think
Kash Minbar -- originally Schroeder then Jimmy Cruise Sr.
Jade Prince -- Jack Kopas
of course on saturday nights ther was the Gam Wah acros the street after the races!!!!



Can you name the regular drivers for all the horses you listed? I remember some:
Sir Dalrae - Dennis
Nick Leroy - Carmine?
Rambling Willie - Farrington
Gov Skipper - Chappie
Big Towner - Loosh
HWC - The Boss
Sandra Lil - Jimmy Cruise
Myakka - Buddy
Mr. Sandman - Carmine
Local Time - Teddy Taylor
Royal Ascot - Henri F
GVA - Carmine
Niatross - Clint
Bonus Pacers:
Albatross - Stanley
Nansemond - Herve
Silk Stockings - Burris
Knowing Bret - Insko
Le Baron Rouge - Williams
Cheyenne Tomahawk - Herve

Delmonica - Chappie?
Spartan H - Boss?
Green Speed - The Boss
Savoir - Insko
Moshannon Express - Ray Romanetti
Bonus Trotters:
Un De Mai - Jean Rene Gougeon
Fresh Yankee - Glen Garnsey
Speedy Crown - Beissinger
CB's Frank - Buddy

Sonnyp what about some drivers

Merritt Dokey
John Patterson Jr
Lucien Fontain
Rejean Daigneault
Ron Waples
Russell Baxter
James Marohn
Buddy Gilmour

Ron Wojocoi

Those were the days

[arno]

Wasn't Nickawampus Leroy driven by Russel Rash?

[sonnyp]

Originally Posted by Casino

Remember the TROTTER AND PACER CROWN WOOD with JOE MARSH JR.
Crown Wood ran in the feature trot races on friday nightt at Yomkers against the likes of BOBBO and GRADES SINGING.The trainer converted Crown Wood inot a Pacer a few times and back to a trotter.As a matter of fact he won the American Championship series at Yonkers.Never forget always post 7 or 8 always 1st over and would grind hes way to the lane.Man that brought back memories.

Remember Ideal De Gazeau winning the international back 2 back.Those were the days,Dancer's Crown,Mystic Park,Mack Lobell,Joi De Vei the list goes on .
The best ive seen was Somebeachsomewhere,Niatross,Nihilator.

you mention "the international". what greater performance than the french mare "une de mai" just sitting outside the mighty "nevele pride" every step of the race and winning ?

some tend to knock harness racing, but in those glory years of yonkers and roosevelt and the "roaring grand circuit", it was a fabulous sport to follow.

[arno]

It's been awhile since I thought of that great International that in my opinion Nevele Pride lost not that Une De Mai won.

Why do I say that?

In my opnion, Nevele Pride lost the race because the race was rescheduled for a week after the original date because the European trotters could not get to America due to an airlines strike.

It ruined Dancer's training schedule and it showed that night at Roosevelt which I attended amongst about 40,000 others

[sonnyp]

but arno, what about une de mai's training schedule ? she was stuck in europe trying to get here, probably last minute notification on a flight, and then the trip itself.

dancer and nevele pride where at home at the farm in new egypt with no inconvenience what so ever.

was it 40,000 ? those were the days. very, very exciting !