Behind the Gate

and driving horses was his hobby. He drove, almost exclusively, family horses and Visited the Winners’ Circle on 258 proud occasions.

Almost every driver has a vivid memory of his or her very first official drive and Brian was no exception. His first drive took place in 1974 at the Summerside Raceway. He drove Penny Price, a three- year—old homebred filly in her first life- time start. Indeed, it was an emotional and tense moment for both rookies when the starter called them to the gate. Thirty- four years later, Brian retraced, “I just tried to stay out of trouble which you would do on your first start. I didn't leave very much with her and sat near the back and moved her three wide at the half. We won by seven lengths in 2:161 Any driver could have won with her that day. She certainly wasn’t the favorite with the bettors but she took me around pretty slick.” After the race, a nice touch was added by the announcer, Ed Watters when he called horse and driver to parade before the crowd and announced that it was the first official win for both driver and horse in their first official start. It was a moment that Brian would always cherish and remember.

Raised Emotions was one of those once- in—a—lifetime horses. He was special to Brian for many reasons but one stood out above the rest. This was the very first horse that Bill Andrew had ever owned. He co—owned it with Brian and Erwin. It was to be one of many. In 1988, Islander

Clark Smith was asked by the Andrew family to pick out a young horse for them to buy. At that time Clark’s stable was based in Ontario and the Andrews had great faith in Clark’s ability and judge- ment. He selected a nice little three—year- old by Laughs that could pace around 2:03 and had two lifetime wins at that time. They bought him and the rest is history Brian was associated with many horses over the years but Raised Emotions was his favourite. In a lengthy career for horses, he won 48 races in the Maritimes with a sub two-minute record. Asked to describe what made Raised Emotions special Brian responded, “He was always game; he was tough. In a race, you could leave with him and sit parked out and many a horse he looked in the bridle and just drove on. He was always a good-feeling little horse. On race nights, he had his game face on and he knew when he won. He was as durable and as tough as any I have ever seen. One August I raced him 10 times and he won the Horse—of—the—Month Award for that August. Another year, he had two wins and three third place fin— ishes during our Country Days and Old Home Week. We raced a couple of his progeny with moderate success. Undoubtedly, Raised Emotions was my all time favourite horse.“

Over the years brother Bill had directed a number of quality horses to Prince Edward Island and many of them became special to Brian for different reasons. He described five of them individually,

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