Introduction

Behind the Gate was written to help fill a void. Unfortunately, too little has been writ— ten or published about the history of harness racing in the Atlantic provinces and, in particular, in Prince Edward Island. Valuable information must not be lost forever with the passage of time and the deaths of horsepeople who made immeasurable contribu— tions to the game they loved. Their experience, expertise, anecdotes and advice must be preserved.

It was also a goal that Behind the Gate would help to put much needed attention on the importance and enjoyment of grassroots harness racing. The people profiled in this book represent the backbone of standardbred racing. Love of the horse and the joy of competition were the major factors for their involvement in this sport and industry.

Historically, the content begins in the early 1900s and proceeds all the way to 2008. The original profiles appeared individually in an official racing program at the Charlottetown Driving Park from 1996 to 2008. It was suggested, more than once, that these profiles contained relevant and valuable information about harness racing that should be pre- served. This book is the result of those suggestions. Each of the original profiles has been updated and new content has been added.

In 1968, Bill “BtlZZy” Parkman drove his moped from Charlottetown to Summerside, a distance of 71 kilometers. It was the only way he would be able to see a friend of his that he hadn‘t seen for many years. That friend was a famous driver and trainer of stan- dardbreds whose name had become synonymous with great horses like Scott Frost, Shadow Wave, Fresh Yam/see, Armhro Flight, Steady Star and others. In the Maritimes, Tip Ahhe and Dudey Patch were two of the horses he campaigned successfully.

The great Joe O’Brien from Alberton, Prince Edward Island was a very special invited guest at the Summerside Raceway that eventful day. Joe recognized an isolated indi- vidual standing behind a group of well—wishers with whom Joe was conversing. This double hall-of—famer excused himself and immediately walked to the isolated individual with this friendly greeting, “Hi Billy, it’s been such a long time. . . Joe continued to have a sincere and meaningful conversation with Bill Parkman, a good friend of his from the distant past on Prince Edward Island.

Many harness racing enthusiasts and experts believe that Joe O’Brien achieved as much or more in his sport and industry as any Canadian. During his era, Joe was always ranked among the top of his class with the best drivers and trainers in the world. I would never attempt to treat the topic of harness racing in the Atlantic provinces with- out beginning with “Gentleman” ]oe O’Brien. Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity