Behind the Gate

The disc that protects the spokes on the bike is a safety factor that is now taken for granted. Ralph remembered what sometimes happened in a race before this important invention. He said, “The wheel disc is great. I used to see horses get hooked in wheels. They would put their foot right into a wheel during a race. I remember driving Premier] Walter who was hard to control and a horse driven by Joe Hennessey put his foot right into my wheel. How many accidents are pre— vented today duc to this safety disc? I do believe that the helmet is a very impor- tant safety factor for drivers. I can remember an accident during a race where I landed heavily on my head; I was very thankful that I was wearing a helmet and not one of those caps that dri— vers used to wear. I also believe that replacing the hub rail with pylons is the greatest change for safety in the history of standardbred racing." Imagine. if you can, a race at your track today with a hub rail, no helmets and no wheel disc!

I asked him what he liked most about horse racing. Without hesitation, he replied, “I like competition and I like the animal. I like most animals, especially the horse. I also have made some very good friends in this industry. brought up on a farm with horses and other animals. I rode a horse to school in my early grades, then, at a different school, I drove a horse and wagon to school. I always seemed to have been involved with horses. I also played base— ball and hockey and loved the competi—

I was

tion. I still enjoy the competition each time I race a horse."

This veteran teamster planned to reduce his starts behind the gate. He believed that it was very competitive and required younger blood. He was training a pacer that he would not drive if she made the races. He would drive his trotters because he believed he knew them best because he trained them; however, he would prefer not to be driving at his age. He explained, “I‘ll still like to drive but I really think that somebody else might do a little better than I can now. A lighter and younger person might make a differ— Ralph often used Clare MacDonald as a catch—driver and would use her in the future. She would have been driving more for him but she often seemed to have an entry in the same class as Ralph. He believed that she saw moves in a race before most drivers.

ence."

According to this amicable and hard— working trainer/driver, horses are intelli— gent and competitive. He explained, “My horses know as soon as they see my trail- er that it is a race day. They know when they win and about the Winners” Circle after a victory. If you get them defeated too often, they don’t like it. Some hors- es are more intelligent and some are more competitive than others. I also like other animals. I have the dearest little dog you could ever have. She is a real companion for me and the horses. She especially likes to accompany us to and from our track when we jog or train.”

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