0 you remember your introduc— D tion to harness racing? Clark

Cudmore of Charlottetown re— membered exactly how he got involved in the game he loved. Clark represented an integral component of this industry. He operated a modest one—horse stable at the Charlottetown Driving Park. Harness racing, as we know it, will not survive without them in this part of the country.

It was a beautiful Saturday evening dur— ing the summer of 1981. Clark, his wife, Betty and brother. Max were enjoying the races at the Charlottetown Driving Park. There was a special draw that evening at the track for $1,000 sponsored by the Charlottetown Legion. Clark was the lucky winner and harness racing had its newest member.

You guessed it.

Clark took $500 of his windfall and he purchased a green filly, Bome Blink, her harness and a jog cart from Bill Macleod who operated a stable at the CUP. Clark Cudmore was hooked. Cudmore family had a lot of fun and pos— itive experiences with Bonny Blink for the next 12 months. During one stretch,

The whole

Bonny finished second nine consecutive times. She was -lestined to be a brides- maid. Wendell Ford drove Bonny Blink,

Photo: Ann MacNeill

the Summerside

often traveling to

Raceway from Charlottetown and he wouldn‘t accept any payment for his time and efforts. Clark's brother, Max was doing the training of Bonny Blink. This brother combination enjoyed learning the ropes of their new venture together.

Getting Bonny to the races was indeed memorable for this new owner and new trainer. Bonny was, to put it modestly, pleasantly plump. She would barely fit between the shafts of her jog cart; how— ever, under Max's care and direction, Bonny slimmed down and eventually took a maiden record of 2:17 at Summerside Raceway. She took that record to her grave.

Bonny Blink was destined to race in the low—end claiming races. During post— parade one evening. Clark noticed that Bonny was conspicuous by her absence from the parade. Clark and Betty were worried. What had happened to Bonny? It so happened that the presiding judge scratched her because the required claim— ing papers had not been signed. Clark was disappointed but he was learning the game and it would not happen again.

Over the years, Clark Cudmore owned 27

85