Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Helicopter

, 2:02.3M

$99,559

bay filly, by Hoot Mon-Tronia Hanover-Lawrence Hanover
foaled 1950, died 1972

Helicopter wins the 1953 Hambletonian with Harry Harvey at the lines.

In 1953 the richest purse in harness racing was up for a decision, in the $114,775 Hambletonian, asnd few had given thought that a filly, Helicopter, would prove victorious over the grand array of colts. Helicopter would not only gather in the largest sum ever awarded a Standardbred in a single race, $63,126‑--but greater than any other of like age, gait and sex ever garnered in an entire season's campaign.

This renewal of The Hambletonian Stake also awarded her owners, J. Elgin and C. Edwin Armstrong, Brampton, Ont., and likewise, Harry Harvey, who though only 29 and making his first appearance in the Stake, drove like a skillful, cool‑headed veteran.

Helicopter was one of the first crop of foals by Hoot Mon, winner of the 1947 Hambletonian, and was sold as a weanling at The Harrisburg, Pa., Sale under the name of Bell‑Ard Monia for $1,150 and purchased by Castleton Farm.

As a yearling at Lexington, she brought $2,000 by Delvin Miller and John Simpson, the first named taken her in charge for development, then early in her two‑year‑old form she become the property of the Armstrong Brothers, Brampton, Canadian, leading roadbuilders and contractors in the Province of Ontario, for $7,500.

The filly was given a careful preparation when two, earning a record of 2:072/5, also collecting more than her cost. And inasmuch as Delvin held her future possibilities highly, she was kept eligible to numerous engagements, and very fortunately, the richest of all classics.

Helicopter started her earning proclivities at Roosevelt Raceway in June by disposing of a field, mostly aged trotters and gathering in the major share of a $2,000 affair, and then moved on to The Historic Track at Goshen for $14,978 The Coaching Club Oaks where she was second in a dash to Bewitch 2:04.

Vernon Downs was the next spot of attraction for the daughter of Hoot Mon 3, 2:00 and while the filly was called upon to clash with older opposition, her winning in 2:04 was a very encouraging performance. The next week she scoreda again in 2:05, before entering the Hambletonian in a field of 23.

Helicopter's owners and Delvin Miller were strong in the belief that she would display surprising ability, while the majority of horsemen were surprised that the latter turned over the driving task to Harry Harvey, due to his youth, limited experience and when a purse of such great worth hinged in results.

Delvin felt confident that his youngest assistant would carry out the great task to the best of his ability, likewise get the best efforts from his mount, and results showed that while the filly broke gait in the initial round and finished seventeenth, it did not produce "stage fright" in Harvey, as in the next two trips, the later handled his mount with the coolness and skill of a veteran.

That particular day, Helicopter was as "fit as a fiddle," the best of the large field and certainly demonstrated her superiority in no uncertain manner by outfooting her opposition in the stretch both in the second and concluding heat. As every one can well imagine, August 12, 1953 was a glorious day for J. Elgin and C. Edwin Armstrong, Brampton, Canada.

Following her victory in The Hambletonian, Miller headed westward with Helicopter and the other members of his stable, and the filly gathered in considerable more coin in the Grand Circuit and while she did not lower her record of 2:023/5, she clearly displayed greater speed on many occasions.