Behind the Gate

first official yictory. She described the race. “He went to the top. He wasn‘t a really strong linisher but he held on that time to win in 2:0‘). 1. 1 won my next race with him also." Since that memorable yictory. (Zlare achieyed oyer 1.()»+() life— time wins and S35(i‘).1()(i in earnings. 13y choice. most o1 her wins and earnings were with colts and l‘illies in stakes action because that was the focus of her atten— tion. It was widely known that she was considered to be one ol‘ the most talent— ed catch—driyers in the Atlantic proyinces. She held the track pacing record at Truro Raceway with lx'l'l/eermn [Hg/e in 154.4. She raised. trained and droye the first trotter to beat 2:00 in the Maritimes in \lr'cs/ Hirer /:'.\‘o/i'c in 159.1 at Exhibition Park in Saint _lohn. She later equalled that with [)1/HHIUI'U S/eye at 'l‘ruro Raceway. ll'esl Nicer /)1'e.\'e/. ls/(Im/ ’l'1‘(l(/I‘/io11. (I Is S'oct'u/ ll"/)1'r/. (I l.'s .S‘illyu'rse and (I /.'.\‘ (lo/(lie also gaye her important wins. In 300". Clare earned the distinction ol' becoming the lirst (Ianadian l'emale driyer to win l.()()()

lillCCS.

I asked (Ilare to name and describe some ol‘ her most memorable horses. She answered. "You are going to remember the best ones. I didn't haye anything to do with [xi/kerrz/H lug/e except to driye him. He was such a superb animal with tremendous staying power and high speed. lie just had it in his head that he could go by eyerybody and he usually

did. 1 was able to set track records with

Clare MacDonald

him and beat top class horses. 1|e gaye me my first taste ol‘what real power was."

“ll"esf l€1'1'erl:I\'olic was a homebred and a track record—holder. He had a beautiful attitude. lie was a colt that 1 always enjoyed from the time we broke him. Eyery time he went to the track he was glad. He would bounce and play as soon as he put his foot on the stone dust, 1 always felt he had the right attitude to do

well because he loyed his job.”

”\l’esl River [)I‘ese/ was a great stakes colt that we raised. \\'e went through a lot ol~ trials and tribulations with him as a two— year—old. 11e couldnt tolerate anything like dirt touching his lace. He was a head—case. As time went on. he got bee ter and better. lie became not only a top

stakes colt. but a top—class horse.”

“Moira Kerr and Tom llollis purchased ls/am/ 'li‘m/i/iot/ lrom Bob \Vebster lor us to train and race. This was the beginning ()1 a long standing relationship. She was just an iron-sided mare week in and week out. [I didnt matter how 1 droye her because she would make up lor my mistakes most ()1 the time. She linished in the top two in all but one ()1 her starts. Iiyery week she would put in a top notch perl’k)rmance. She had some great and memorable battles with (llengyr/e .l/(llj. ls/(mc/ 'l'mdi/i'ou earned SI [Two racing here in the Maritimes."

“ll"esl lt’it'er .\'e/(/ie was my top colt in

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