Golden West Pace
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]
| 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) |
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]
Records
- Most wins by a driver
- 2 – Edward G. Cobb (1949, 1950) & Benny Schue (1952, 1953)
- Most wins by a trainer
- 2 – Edward G. Cobb (1949, 1950) & Benny Schue (1952, 1953)
- Stakes record
- 2:30 3/5 – Dudley Hanover (1952) at 1 1/4 miles
- 2:22 1/5 – Dudley Hanover (1953) at 1 3/16 miles
Winners of the Golden West Pace
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Driver |
Trainer |
Owner |
Distance |
Time |
Purse |
Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Red Sails | 6 | Gene L. Sears | Bob Walker | Herbert T. King | 1 3/16 m. | 2:22 3/5 | $30,375 | Hol |
| 1953 | Dudley Hanover | 6 | Benny Schue | Benny Schue | Hayes Fair Acres Stable (Eugene J. Hayes) | 1 3/16 m. | 2:22 1/5 | $34,000 | Hol |
| 1952 | Dudley Hanover | 5 | Benny Schue | Benny Schue | Hayes Fair Acres Stable (Eugene J. Hayes) | 1 1/4 m. | 2:30 3/5 | $31,000 | Sa |
| 1951 | Irish Hal | 4 | Jimmy Fitzpatrick | Harry C. Fitzpatrick | Kenneth D. Owen | 1 1/4 m. | 2:34 0/0 | $33,750 | Hol |
| 1950 | Jerry The First | 6 | Edward G. Cobb | Edward G. Cobb | Edward G. Cobb, et al. | 1 1/4 m. | 2:32 1/5 | $50,000 | Sa |
| 1949 | Jerry The First | 5 | Edward G. Cobb | Edward G. Cobb | Edward G. Cobb, et al. | 1 1/4 m. | 2:31 0/0 | $50,000 | Hol |
| 1948 | Indian Land | 7 | Joe O'Brien | Joe O'Brien | Castleton Farms | 1 1/4 m. | 2:33 0/0 | $50,000 | Sa |
| 1947 | April Star | 6 | Ray Reeves | Ralph L. Craig | Craig Stable (Ralph L. Craig) | 1 1/4 m. | 2:32 0/0 | $50,000 | Hol |
| 1946 | Blue Again | 6 | Jimmy Cruise, Sr. | William D. Fraser | R. Warren Leatherdale | 1 1/4 m. | 2:32 1/5 | $50,000 | Sa |
References
- Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame Retrieved August 28, 2016
- San Bernardino Sun November 14, 1954 article titled "Red Sails Grabs Hollywood Park Harness Feature" Retrieved September 22, 2016
- Standardbred Canada SC Rewind May 21, 2016 article titled "Meet of the Century" Retrieved August 28, 2016
- Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram November 6, 1955 Retrieved September 19, 2016
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