Photo Essay: O'Brien Awards And A Day At The Track With Dick Duff

I attended the O'Brien Awards on Saturday night, an event showcasing the talents of the Canadian harness racing industry and official send off party for the great Somebeachsomewhere. The three year-old pacer was the unanimous winner of the Three Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year and unquestioned Horse Of The Year. Over the course of the evening, everyone connected with the soon to be great stallion walked home with trophies of their own.

While many of my friends who comment here at Triple Dead Heat may prefer the thoroughbred racing scene, I can attest that Somebeachsomewhere is a once in a lifetime pacing machine and I was riveted to each of his races this year. I challenge you to watch "The Beach" in his gritty win during a monsoon in the Messenger and not instantly fall in love.



Here's a shot of the awards to be handed out over the evening.



Down The Stretch editor Peter Gross with lovely Associate Editor Eleanor LeBlanc.



Below, Driver of the Year Paul MacDonell poses with his family. A touching moment after the announcement of the award saw the family share a group hug. MacDonell is a gentleman and always willing to take time to speak to an ambitious reporter learning the ropes in the paddock. It was great to see him win and the acknowledgement of his peers clearly meant a lot to him.


WEG's leading driver Jody Jamieson shares a laugh with the stunning Stephanie. Jamieson is a class act and led the standing ovation for MacDonell - his opponent in the Driver of the Year category.


Peter Gross presents the Two Year-old Trotter award to the connections of Federal Flex. Jamieson believes this trotter has a shot at the Hambletonian. Bet against Double J at your own peril!


Sandy Hawley winning a harness award? No, just presenting! I'd like to see what would happen if Sandy got in the sulky.


On Sunday, I was back at Woodbine to enjoy lunch at the track with Down The Stretch editor Peter Gross, ex-Leaf defenceman Jim McKenny and Hall of Famer Dick Duff. Reknowned as a hard-nosed forward, Duff was a natural goal scorer at every level. The most famous of Duff's 283 goals is the Stanley Cup overtime snipe for the Leafs in 1962. At left, you can see Duff posing with Billy Harris and Bert Olmstead just moments after raising the Cup!

For once, I was attending a daytime harness event and the sun was shining on a glorious afternoon.


Dick Duff is one of a select group to win Stanley Cups with both Toronto and Montreal. Can you name another? First correct commenter wins a Dick Duff autographed copy of Down The Stretch.


Here's a shot of two legendary Hall of Famers: Northern Dancer and Dick Duff


Mr. Duff allowed me to try on his 1962 Toronto Maple Leaf Stanley Cup winner's ring. The ring rejected my finger. Since 1967, Stanley Cup rings have been rejecting all Torontonians.



Ex-Leaf's Jim McKenny and Dick Duff with Division 3 (East) Indoor Soccer Star Keith McCalmont.


Mr. Duff provided a great interview to Down The Stretch for our regular feature of Celebrity Bets For Charity and I look forward to reading Peter Gross's full report in our next issue to be released February 23rd.