2016 Hall of Fame induction ceremonies

[Tim Y]

Last night at the Etobicoke Convention Centre, several new entrants were welcomed including the great Exterminator, Wise Dan, Dahlia and Marc Casse. Several standardbred greats were honored as well.

Marc Casse, who lost his father over the winter, was so overtaken with emotion, he left it to his wife to read aloud what his father meant to him in his career. Good guy, great speech.

The daughter of owner Nelson Bunker Hunt related some amusing stories about her parents and their world beater (Dahlia), particularly telling us of how her mom named the horse. Their world travelling was the first of many European Champions who now come over every Fall in our grass championships.

Wise Dan's connections were gracious and his entry was well deserved.

My particular favorite was Exterminator. The longer I have studied the breed, the more I appreciate the good old geldings. This one ran 13 times in Canada and was undefeated at Woodbine when regularly carrying imposts of 135 or more. Dropped by Binghampton New York on the way back from the 2016 Belmont to visit his final resting place. To THIS DAY. people leave money and betting vouchers on top of his headstone out of respect for probably one of the best ot all time.

Linda Rainey (managing director of the Hall), as per usual, put on a great show.