Golden West Pace

Last updated
Golden West Pace
Discontinued race
Location Arcadia & Inglewood, California
Inaugurated 1946
Race type Harness race for standardbred pacers
Race information
Distance 1 3/16 miles
(1,911 metres or 9.5 furlongs)
Surface Dirt, 1/2-mile oval (Santa Anita Park) & 1-mile oval (Hollywood Park)
Track Santa Anita Park & Hollywood Park Racetrack
Qualification 3 years & older
Purse $30,375 (1954)

The Golden West Pace is a defunct three-race series in harness racing for Standardbred pacers aged three and older. It was first run in 1946 with a purse of $50,000 which at the time was the richest offered in the sport. [1] The race final was hosted on an alternating basis, until the final running in 1954, [2] by Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, and Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. During the same period, these tracks also offered the corresponding Golden West Trot. [3]

Harness racing form of horse racing

Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait. They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, occupied by a driver, although in Europe, jockeys riding directly on saddled trotters is also conducted.

Standardbred American breed of horse

The Standardbred is an American horse breed best known for its ability in harness racing, where members of the breed compete at either a trot or pace. Developed in North America, the Standardbred is recognized worldwide, and the breed can trace its bloodlines to 18th-century England. They are solid, well-built horses with good dispositions. In addition to harness racing, the Standardbred is used for a variety of equestrian activities — including horse shows and pleasure riding — particularly in the midwestern and eastern United States, and southern Ontario.

The Golden West Trot is a defunct three-race series in harness racing for Standardbred trotters aged three and older. It was first run in 1946 with a purse of $50,000 which at the time was the richest offered in the sport. The race final was hosted on an alternating basis, until the final running in 1954, by Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, and Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. During the same period, these tracks also offered the corresponding Golden West Pace.

Contents

Historical race events

Canceled after the 1954 running, the Golden West Pace would prove to be the precursor to the American Pacing Classic run exclusively at Hollywood Park from 1955 through 1981. [4]

The American Pacing Classic is a defunct three-race series in harness racing for Standardbred pacers aged three and older. It was run annually between 1955 and 1981 at three different racetracks with the final hosted by Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. During the same period, these tracks also offered the corresponding American Trotting Classic.

Records

Most wins by a driver
Most wins by a trainer
Stakes record

Winners of the Golden West Pace

Year
 Winner
 Age
 Driver
 Trainer
 Owner
 Distance
 Time
Purse
 Track
1954Red Sails6Gene L. Sears Bob Walker Herbert T. King1 3/16 m.2:22 3/5$30,375Hol
1953 Dudley Hanover 6 Benny Schue Benny SchueHayes Fair Acres Stable (Eugene J. Hayes)1 3/16 m.2:22 1/5$34,000Hol
1952Dudley Hanover 5Benny SchueBenny SchueHayes Fair Acres Stable (Eugene J. Hayes)1 1/4 m.2:30 3/5$31,000Sa
1951Irish Hal4Jimmy FitzpatrickHarry C. Fitzpatrick Kenneth D. Owen 1 1/4 m.2:34 0/0$33,750Hol
1950 Jerry The First 6 Edward G. Cobb Edward G. CobbEdward G. Cobb, et al.1 1/4 m.2:32 1/5$50,000Sa
1949Jerry The First5Edward G. CobbEdward G. CobbEdward G. Cobb, et al.1 1/4 m.2:31 0/0$50,000Hol
1948Indian Land7 Joe O'Brien Joe O'Brien Castleton Farms 1 1/4 m.2:33 0/0$50,000Sa
1947 April Star 6Ray ReevesRalph L. CraigCraig Stable (Ralph L. Craig)1 1/4 m.2:32 0/0$50,000Hol
1946Blue Again6 Jimmy Cruise, Sr. William D. Fraser R. Warren Leatherdale 1 1/4 m.2:32 1/5$50,000Sa

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References

  1. ↑ Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame Retrieved August 28, 2016
  2. ↑ San Bernardino Sun November 14, 1954 article titled "Red Sails Grabs Hollywood Park Harness Feature" Retrieved September 22, 2016
  3. ↑ Standardbred Canada SC Rewind May 21, 2016 article titled "Meet of the Century" Retrieved August 28, 2016
  4. ↑ Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram November 6, 1955 Retrieved September 19, 2016
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