Cam Fella

Cam Fella
Breed Standardbred
Sire Most Happy Fella
Grandsire Meadow Skipper
Dam Nan Cam
Damsire Bret Hanover
Sex Ridgling
Foaled May 14, 1979
Died May 09 2001
Country United States
Colour Bay
Breeder Wilfred Cameron
Owner Cam Fella Syndicate
Trainer Pat Crowe
Record 80:61-9-5
Earnings US$2,041,367
Major wins

Prix d'Été (1982)
Confederation Cup Pace (1982)
Queen City Pace (1982)
Driscoll Series Final (1983)
Canadian Pacing Derby (1983)
Gold Cup Invitational Pace (1983)

U.S. Pacing Triple Crown wins:
Messenger Stakes (1982)
Cane Pace (1982)
Awards
Harness Horse of the Year (1982, 1983)
Honors
U. S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame (1998)
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (1986)
Leading Standardbred Sire in North America (1993, 1995)
Last updated on 2016-11-01

Cam Fella (May 14, 1979 – May 9, 2001) was a bay pacing horse by Most Happy Fella out of Nan Cam by Bret Hanover. He was trained and driven originally by Doug Arthur and later by Pat Crowe. His best time for the mile was 1:53.1. Cam Fella was purchased as a 2 year old, by the two Norms, Norm Clements and Norm Faulkner.[1] He earned the nickname "The Pacing Machine" in a career where he became the richest standardbred of all-time.[2]

1981 season

In 1981, as a two year old, Cam Fella won three of eleven starts and was sold to Norm Clements and Norm Faulkner for US$140,000 after winning the Valedictory series final in his final start for the year. He earned only $17,588 for the year.[1]

1982 season

Cam Fella had won 12 of 14 starts for the year including the Hopeful Pace and New Faces before his first major win in the Cane Pace as a supplemental entry.[3] In eliminations for the Meadowlands Pace Cam Fella could finish only seventh and did not progress to the final. It was to be the last time in his career he did not finish in the first three placings.[4]

Although he won the Cane Pace he did not have an opportunity to take the Triple Crown as he was not eligible to start in the Little Brown Jug. In October he proved himself to be the top 3yo pacer in North America by winning the Messenger Stakes. In the first heat he tied the track record for 3yos winning in 1.57 3/5 before beating Icarus Lobell and Soky’s Atom in the final heat in 1.59 after a mid race duel with Little Brown Jug winner Merger. Like in the Cane Pace he was a supplemental entry to the Messenger.[5] His final start for 1982 came in November when he won the Provincial Cup at Windsor Raceway in 1.55.4 which tied the track record for his age. It was his 28th win from 33 starts for the year. The track reported its highest attendance since Niatross started there in 1980 and strong wagering which had become typical for a race night featuring Cam Fella.[6] He also won the Queen City Pace, Prix d'Été, Confederation Cup Pace and Sophomore Pace in Canada and time trialled in 1.54 at The Red Mile. The Prix d'Été was the richest race in Canada at the time.[7] For his exploits Cam Fella was named Harness Horse of the Year in both Canada and the United States for a season where he started 33 times for 28 wins and 2 second places and earnings of $879,723.

1983 season

After a slow start to 1983 Cam Fella won two of three legs of the World Cup series at The Meadowlands including a two length win in the final in 1.55 on a wet track.[8] Once Cam Fella began winning in 1983 he continued winning until the end of his career at season’s end by going on a 28 race unbeaten streak. During the streak he won the Graduate and Driscoll Finals at The Meadowlands, the Canadian Pacing Derby, American National, Stewart Fraser Memorial, Frank Ryan Memorial, Blue Bonnets Challenge, Gold Cup and all three legs of the US Pacing Championship.[1] In the Summer Championship at The Meadowlands in July It’s Fritz was given a strong chance of beating Cam Fella by bettors however Cam Fella won in 1.54.2 ending a five racing winning sequence for his opponent.[9] His wins in the US Pacing Championship leg and American National both broke the Sportsman’s Park track record[10] and his win the US Pacing Championship leg at Roosevelt Raceway set a track record of 1.56.2.[11] By the end of the 1983 Cam Fella had won 30 of 36 starts for the year and was voted Harness Horse of the Year for a second time. His final start came at Greenwood Raceway, Toronto in December. It was his 28th consecutive win.[12]

Stud career

Cam Fella began stud duty in 1984 and had an illustrious career siring 1,002 foals who earned $106.7m in prizemoney. His offspring included such notable horses as Eternal Camnation, Presidential Ball, Precious Bunny, Cam's Card Shark and Camluck all of whom have been inducted into the Living Hall of Fame or elected as Hall of Fame Immortals as well as $2m earners Goalie Jeff and Camtastic and fastest Standardbred of all time Cambest.[13] He was the leading sire in North America in 1993 and 1995 and his son Camluck and grandson Bettor's Delight (by Cam's Card Shark) have both also been the leading sire.

Cam Fella was a ridgling meaning he had only one descended testicle and his stud career ended when he was gelded as a result of testicular cancer. Following his stud career he was taken on a tour of racetracks to raise money for charity drawing large crowds. He was euthanized on May 9, 2001. A small residential street in Toronto, near the former Greenwood Raceway, is named "Cam Fella Lane" in his honour.[14]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
  2. ↑ Championship Standardbred Racer Cam Fella Dies thehorse.com
  3. ↑ Cam Fella wins Cane Pace Yonkers Herald Statesman, 20 June 1982, Retrieved 17 January 2016
  4. ↑ Bob Holly Heyden's Meadowlands Pace facts www.harnesslink.com
  5. ↑ Cam Fella captures Messenger Stakes Yonkers Herald Statesman, 17 October 1982, Retrieved 18 January 2016
  6. ↑ Cam Fella a ‘special’ winner Windsor Star, 8 November 1982, Retrieved 18 January 2016
  7. ↑ Cam Fella wins rich Prix d'Ete, New York Times, 30 August 1982, Retrieved 31 January 2016
  8. ↑ Cam Fella steals show at Meadowlands Finale, Yonkers Herald Statesman, 27 May 1983, Retrieved 18 January 2016
  9. ↑ 10/Yonkers NY Herald Statesman/Yonkers NY Herald Statesman 1983 Grayscale/Yonkers NY Herald Statesman 1983 a Grayscale - 4196.pdf Cam Fella wins, Yonkers Herald Statesman, 26 July 1983, Retrieved 19 January 2016
  10. ↑ Paradise looks back at the Pacing Machine www.harnesslink.com Retrieved 19 January 2106
  11. ↑ Cam Fella sets Roosevelt record New York Times, 30 July 1983, Retrieved 19 January 2016
  12. ↑ Cam Fella ends career, New York Times, 11 December 1983, Retrieved 31 January 2016
  13. ↑ US Hall Of Fame, Worldclasstrotting.com, Retrieved 21 January 2016
  14. ↑ It's about time Standardbred Canada, Retrieved 20 January 2016
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