Jac nard

Jack had a lot of horses over the years but his favorite was Blazing Finesse a good tough race horse. He raced him at least 40 starts in three successive years and he was a perfect horse to be around. He also gave Jack his fastest victory ever. Seawmd Positano was a close second as Jack’s favourite horse. Jack and Gordon Crozier were its co-owners.

During their heyday, it was difficult to defeat a horse from the Whebby Stable in the Maritimes. Jack remembered one race in which his own Gallant Baron did just that. He remembered this race because he had bought Gallant Baron from the Whebbys. “It kinda tickled me to be able to beat them with a horse I bought from them,” he related with joy.

Harness racing has made significant changes that have enabled horses to go much faster. Jack believed that fine— tuned breeding was the major factor in all this recent speed. He also observed that the equipment was much improved. The racetracks are much faster due to a much improved surface. The best change, in this veteran's opinion, was when the hub rail was replaced by pylons. Jack also mentioned the advent of helmets and wheel discs as contributions to safety.

One change that Jack wanted to see has

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Behind the Gate

yet to come —— the lucrative stake races for colts and fillies beginning at age three instead of age two. He believed that at two a horse’s bones, knees, etc. were still developing and very frai. and we were tearing them to pieces. Entering the tough and competitive s:akes world at three when they are stronger and more developed would make more sense and cents in the long run. How many horses have we lost forever because of injuries to two-year-olds during this very forma- tive period in their lives?

Jack Bernard preferred his role as a farri— er to his role as trainer or driver. Ned Linden and Belbo Gould taught him how to shoe a horse. He enjoyed this learn- ing period. I wonder how many horses Jack shod in the past 40 years? In 2007, Jack retired from his shoeing, training and driving duties; however, he rarely missed a day at the Charlottetown Driv- ing Park watching the activities on the track from his perch on the hOmCSIretCh. In 1969, jack had an unfortunate experi— ence. He was driving a little black mare for Charlie Forbes. It had rained that night and during the race he was thrown from his bike and hit the track. He broke his back and was sidelined for six months in a body cast.

Boyd Tremere, Lloyd Hannah, john

“It kinda tickled me to be able to beat tbem wit/9 a borse I boagbtfrom tbem.”

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