ence at operating his own public stable and he had four good years at Sackville Downs before it closed. Royal ReceiptA was one of his star borders at Sackville Downs that year.

Like all horsepeople, this talented reins— man would never forget his first drive in a race. It was at the C.D.P. and owner— driver Gerald “Mick" Dunn from Summerville had two entries in the same race. Mick would drive the roan free— legged Bay Byrd and Paul would team Gay Norris. Paul remembered, “I was all excited. Mick won the race and I finished third. I was glad to have that one over without an incident.”

Paul MacKenzie had 6,005 career victo- ries but he remembered his first win very vividly. It was Old Home Week and he was working for Earl Smith at the C.D.P. Earl had a horse, jonsey for Boyd Bernard from Tignish. Paul related, “I took jonsey down to the Hillsboro River and swam him all week. I raced him at the end of the week and he won by about 13 lengths in 2:08. I was still nervous com— ing around the final turn. I thought they were going to get me." They didn't catch Paul on that memorable occasion. Only highly respected Wally Hennessey had more victories than Paul MacKenzie among all Prince Edward Island drivers.

Gordon and Myrna’s son was involved with thousands of horses in the past four decades. I asked him to name some of his most memorable horses. It was a dif—

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Behind the Gate

ficult chore but he did list [is Mara, Little Black. Boo/e, Terrible Semala, Armbro Warranty, Roc/e Music, Gold Enzyme, ferry Hall and Avon Ellen. Each had spe- cific reasons for making this list and Paul stated there were many others that could have been named.

Paul brought Millar Farm's Little Black Boo/e home for the 1995 Gold Cup and Saucer and she set a Canadian record for a half—mile track. She had great gate speed and won her trial and the Gold Cup and Saucer that year. He went to Alberta for Harry Poulton and won a heat of the Nat Christie with Terrible Semala who was funny-gaited but could go fast. Fred Logan's Armbro Warranty gave Paul a thrill in winning an 0.8.8. Gold Final in 1:55 at Flamboro Downs. This fast tough colt could take a little air. Paul raced the competitive Roe/e Music for Doug Arthur in the Free—For—AII at Mohawk and Woodbine with good results. At Sackville Downs he co—owned Gold Enzyme with Chuck MacAulay and this fellow gave them quite a few thrills until they retired him at age 12. For Earl Smith he had ferry Hall who was a fast classy little horse and nice to drive. He also had Avon Ellen for Earl Smith and this nice old mare was funny behind the gate but fine once you got her going. He drove the world champion Li's Mara in many of his two—and three-year old starts.

March 15, 1985 was a date that this horse— man would never forget and with good reason. He was working for Earl Smith at