General Category > Nostalgia

DRIVER BIOS FROM THE 1950s & 1960s

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Admin:
Harold J. Story
Born in Argyle, New York on January 5, 1919.
Harold was wounded in action serving in the South Pacific during WW 11 while in the Army, and then decided to give up farming and Saddle Horse trading for a career in Harness Racing.
He drove and won the first race of his career in 1946 at Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
Since then, Harold had raced in California, Florida, Maine and in Canada.
He drove his first sub two-minute mile on September 5, 1952 with "Josedale Alate" at the Syracuse oval.
His top Horses included Josedale Alate, Congress Glove, Mighty Tarr, and Council Way.
Leading driver at both Fox Valley and Bay State in 1966

Admin:
Clint T. Hodgins.
Born June 18, 1907 in Clandeboye, Ontario, Canada.
Since the USTA was established in 1939, Hodgins won more then 1,500 races in the 50'S, and 60'S, and no one, including burly Clint, knows how many He won in the U.S. and Canada prior to that date.
He started a string of world-record settings in 1940 with the 2 year old trotting filly "Acrasia", but gained his greatest fame in the post year wars as driver of "proximity", the great trotting mare who re-wrote the record book in 1948-1950.
He also had Adois Butler in 1959, and Bye Bye Byrd until that pacing stallion's retirement.
Major races won are:
American National with Bye Bye Byrd in 1959.
American Trotting Championship with Proximity in 47 & 50
Cane Fut. three times with Adios Butler in 59, Cold Front in 61, and Ranger Knight in 62.
Hanover- Hempt twice in 62 and 63
Reynolds Memorial six times in 59, 60, 61, 67, 62, and 64
Clint held 14 World Records in the 50'S and 60'S

Admin:
Robert P. Cherrix.
Born in Snow Hill, Md. on February 15, 1930.
It took Bob just 12 seasons to soar past the million dollar mark in accumulated purses, and what's more astounding is that at the end of his 6th year of driving, his career total was slightly more then $109,000.00
Early in the 1959 season, New York City fans welcomed Bob with a flood of mutual tickets on anything with 4 legs (even those without good ones), and they were right since his first 8 starts resulted in 7 wins.
His fastest mile in the 60'S was at Lexington with "Doc Hobbs" in 1:57 4/5
Leading driver at Rosecroft in 1958.

Admin:
Jovis L. Gerry.
Born in Bidderford, Me. on January 23, 1928.
A member of one of New England's Harness racing families, Jovis was pursuing his driving career with great success since he made his first start at the Cumberland, Maine Fair in 1949.
A time study engineer for Saco-Lowell shops at Bidderford, Jovis confined his training activity to week-ends and after work hours, but did all his driving for the racing stable operated by his Uncle, Perl Gerry.
Jovis drove his first winner "Miss Mabel E. Peters" at Cumberland in 1950.
His career highlights include posting 5 wins, and 2 seconds on a Labor Day card at Lewiston.
Maine fans noticed that the Gerry-trained Horses reached the raceways ready to win, and always finished the seasons strong.

Admin:
George F. Sholty.
Born on November 2, 1932.
A graduate of Washington Township High, Logansport, Ind. where despite his size, He co-captained and starred as a guard on the Basketball team.
His first win came in 1951, at Frankford, Ind., a 2:13 trip with "George Jr."
His training came with his Family owned stable, and later as a second trainer for Tom Winn, and Gene Sears.
George was just one of only a few drivers in the 60'S to boast of earning a million dollars in purses in a single season.
His first 100+ win season was in 1958, and since averaged more then 140 wins a year in the 60'S.
George's favorite Horses included Air Record, Coffee Break, Chris Time, Vicki's Jet, Delightful Time, and Riviltime.
Leading driver at:
Yonkers, 62
Roosevelt Raceway, 63, 67
Pompano Park, 64
And many racetracks in the Midwest.
Major races included:
Battle of Saratoga in 1966 with Cardinal Jamie, and in 67 with Poplar Evalynda.
Battle Of Brandywine in 1965 with Rivil Time
American National 5 times
Good Time Pace in 1963 with Royal Rick, and in 65 with Bengazi Hanover.

Space does not permit listing  all of the almost 50 Major Races that George Won.

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