Lucien Fontaine (Loosh)

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John Manzi & Lucien Fontaine at monticello Raceway October 23, 2010

(Lucien Fontaine on Forrest Skipper,1986) 

 

After breaking in under Keith Waples in Canada, in 1957 Lucien immigrated to the US and became

the protégé of Clint Hodgins, training Clint's Bye Bye Bird and Elaine Rodney. In 1960 Clint sent Lucien to Rockingham with two of his maiden homebreds and told Lucien, “If you don’t win any races don’t bother coming back.” When Lucien returned from Rockingham, he went to Goshen with Clint’s two year olds and Clint put him down on his first drive at Roosevelt Raceway.  The horse, Carmita Hanover, a trotter, drew the 8-hole but Lucien won and paid $72.00.  After that Lucien, as a P driver, continued to drive for Clint winning 24 races.  In 1961, Lucien went on his own and appeared on the

New York circuit and started getting catch drives.

 

Primarily a catch-driver, Lucien had some solid raceway stock in association with trainers such as Steve Demas and Buddy Reagan.  By 1965, Lucien had been a regular among the continent’s top dash and money-winners.  Lucien was driving champion at Roosevelt, Yonkers, Monticello and Richelieu, and was always close to the top of the list at the two big New York racetracks. Lucien proved to be the “Number One Catch Driver” as he was often called and won Big Apple driving titles in 1964, 1968, 1977 and 1978.

 

Lucien had quite a success story on his hands in 1986 as he handled the 1986 Horse of the Year Forrest Skipper. The team had a perfect 15 for 15 season setting records everywhere they went. Forrest Skipper established new track records when he won legs of the Graduate Series at Freehold and Rosecroft. He also set a track record at Roosevelt when he won a leg of the U.S. Pacing Championship in 1:55.2 and at Canterbury Downs when he was victorious in the Dan Patch Pace. He established a new standard at Dover Downs, and he equaled the track record at Los Alamitos when he won the Breeders Crown.

 

Forrest Skipper won the Graduate Series Final in 151.3 at The Meadowlands which was a world record for a four-year old stallion on a mile track.  He equaled his own world record just five days later winning a leg of the Driscoll Series. He equaled this record again when he won the Driscoll Series Final. Other victories for the Skipper included, the Cornell, and sweeping the U.S. Pacing Championship.  Lucien always talks about the wonderful opportunity he had and thanks Forrest Bartlett for his trust in him with his champion homebred.  “What a pleasure for Forrest to have bred and raised a homebred who earned the “Horse of the Year” title,” says Lucien. Lucien also thanks his good friend Woody Truitt for his recommendation to Forrest Bartlett, that he shoud have Lucien train and drive Forrest Skipper 

 

Lucien’s career unfortunately ended prematurely in 1989 due to open-heart surgery. After Lucien recuperated from his surgery, his wife of 39 years, Marsha, suggested to Lucien “why don’t we take some time and smell the roses” and Lucien agreed and from then on they traveled the world. It was the best time of their lives traveling for 18 years, and Lucien gives Marsha all the credit for showing him the world and teaching him that there’s more to living than just racing harness horses.  Marsha passed away in 2006 to pancreatic cancer.

 

Lucien currently makes permanent residence in Margate, Florida but still travels to Canada and

New York during the summer months.  He still enjoys going to Pompano Park to watch the races but Lucien mostly enjoys flying with his son, Marc, who is a pilot.  It isn’t rare for Lucien and Marc to have breakfast in Coral Springs, lunch in Key West and dinner in Palm Beach on the same day.