SC Rewind: The Gold Cup & Saucer

In the latest edition of Rewind Robert Smith turns the clock back 35 years to recall the 1983 Old Home Week Cup & Saucer Race held at the famous Charlottetown Driving Park track. The timing is intended to coincide with this year's renewal of this storied race which will be contested this evening. The dates of Old Home Week for this year are August 9 through August 18. The piece also includes a few old photos and ads from the earlier era of racing at Charlottetown along with other attractions.

An old ad from 1950 announcing that year's Old Home Week festivities. This was almost 70 years ago and even then this annual get together was pretty big. (The Guardian)

Old Home Week held each year in Charlottetown, P.E.I. has been an annual tradition since 1888. Today it is as popular as ever not only with those with ties to the area but also to a wide range of people who love what it stands for. The Exhibition as it was first known started as a testament to the work ethic and skills of the farming community of the tiny Prince Edward Island. It has grown in many ways over the years. Horses in general and harness racing have been a part of it since the very beginning but took on a special significance in 1960 when the Gold Cup & Saucer Race was conceived. A quote from an article published in 2017 by Chas. Reid of the Guardian said "The race's current runs deep in Island culture, as marriages, vacations and homecomings from other Provinces are planned around it." It truly stands out by itself.

The following is a brief recap of the Gold Cup & Saucer race held in 1983.

In the 1983 race, much of the early attention was focused on a pair of pre-race favourites Winners Accolade (Windshield Wiper - Winners Reward) and Callwood Clipper (Horton Hanover - Merrywood Susie). Both individuals had been impressive in earlier outings. Winners Accolade had been a winner in fairly good company at The Meadowlands while Callwood Clipper had won in early August at Blue Bonnets in 1:57.3.

Somewhat overlooked were two others who had also turned in some sparkling performances of late. Silent Class by High Ideal and Auto Pilot a Strike Out offspring had both raced well in Trial eliminations earlier in the week. While many thought the pre race picks would be the best other folks still had high hopes. One was local horseman Marcel Barrieau driver of Silent Class. He was seeking his first win in three Gold Cups and Saucer outings. His previous appearances resulted in a fourth place finish in 1980 behind Flying Caper and a third in 1982 with Silent Class.

On Saturday night a national TV audience watched the big event along with 10,000 fans at the main track in P.E.I. While the track was groomed to perfection it was still not in tip top shape as it had been softened by continuous rains the previous day. Once the horses were away Miracle Report went into an early break in the first turn. From here the two favourites began a fierce battle for the lead but the softer footing undoubtedly took its toll.

As the race progressed Winners Accolade took the lead from a tiring Callwood Clipper. On the second trip around the action heated up as the trio of Silent Class,Auto Pilot and Big Hugh took dead aim at the leader. As they raced to the wire Silent Class the eventual winner and Auto Pilot collared the leader with Big Hugh getting up in time for the show spot. The first two were just a neck apart in 2:01.2. While the time was impressive in view of the track condition it was a full second of the record of 2:00.2 set by Sauls Pride and Joey Smallwood the previous year.

A very pleased Marcel Barrieau accepts the 1983 Gold Cup & Saucer trophy from Lieut. Governor Doiron during trackside ceremonies following the upset win by Silent Class in the Atlantic Canada Free For All event. (The Standardbred)

Note: My special thanks to Fred MacDonald for his excellent reporting on this event.

The 1974 winner was Scotch Gauman shown here as driver Bill Nicholson receives the Gold Cup & Saucer trophy from Old Home Week officials. His winning time was 2:04.4 (The Guardian)

A scene from the 1977 Cup & Saucer shows a mud-spattered Mike MacDonald in the winner's circle following his victory that year with Ventall Rainbow.

The winning time of 2:08.1 was the slowest ever recorded in the race's history caused by a very heavy track. This was MacDonald's second victory in the annual classic with this horse and he would go on to record a total of five in this famous race. In 1985 he became the first driver to record a sub-2:00 mile when he scored in 1:57.3 behind that year's winner Winners Accolade. Sadly we lost Mr. MacDonald just a few short weeks ago. He will forever remain a huge part of the history and lore of this great race. (The Guardian)

A list of event winners from 1960 - 2016. The 2017 winner missing from the chart was Shadow Place driven by Gilles Barrieau

Who Is It?

Can you identify this once well known Maritime driver? He is pictured here during the 1946 Old Home Week races. Clue: he still has family involved in the sport. (Harness Horse photo)

Bonus photo

Where was this very old photo taken that shows an overflow crowd out on the track during a race? Answers will be given during the coming week.