SC Rewind: Report From Dufferin Park

Robert Smith gives a report on the happenings at Toronto's Dufferin Park, the only winter racing spot in Canada for many years

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While most horses are safely tucked away for the winter months, a few hardy souls who dare to brave the elements of winter are still at work. Located on Dufferin Street in Toronto between College and Bloor Streets, Dufferin Park has been an "institution" dating back to antiquity. Call it legendary, call it fabled, or a million other titles it has been given, whatever the choice of words it was a place like no other. I have heard a lot about it over the years but didn't quite make it there. As the saying goes "It was a little before my time ..." One memory I do have is listening for the results in 1951 as my father had a horse racing there in the Johnny Chapman stable. It was somewhat reminiscent of an episode of "The Waltons" TV show as we gathered about the radio to get a bit of news. Usually we got just static; we were out of range.

The time period I have chosen is the winter of 1953, in the waning years of the track's existence. The racing calendar was split each year with about two months before the New Year and another almost three months January through March.

Racing continues here four days a week. Admission is 60 cents, ladies enter FREE. A delightful full course noon meal is available for the princely sum of 50 cents. This winter has seen a lot of keen competition and hotly contested races. There have been plenty of horses to fill all classes. Most days feature at least eight races with the purse structure set at $300 for two heats and $200 for single heats. The weekly feature(s) take place on Saturday afternoon and offer a higher purse of $700-800.

Times are often a bit on the slower side due to a lot of "off" track conditions. One of the better miles this winter was recorded by Princeton who turned in a mile in 2:10 for U.S. owners and driver Wm. "Bud" Gilmour . Many of the double heat events were at two different distances, often a one mile race followed by a distance of 13/16's of a mile. It is interesting to note from the accompanying photo finish that the drivers often dispensed with the wearing of driving colours in favour of warmer winter attire. They sure have that "bundled up" look.

This year's driver colony is a mix of young and old. From the veteran side the likes of Cliff "Chappy" Chapman Sr., Wilmer Hillock, Sted Craig, Albert Rogers, Westerners Vern Waddell, Gardner Hammond and Jim Wiener to mention a few. Also doing a lot of driving is Joe Hodgins, Bill Habkirk, Percy Robillard, "Frenchy" LeBeouf, Bob Givens, Hugh McLean, Vic Lutman, Bill Harvey, Clarence Lockhart, Gordon Ramsay, Lew James, Alan Pacey and Theo Turcotte. A good crop of younger drivers includes Keith Waples, Bud Gilmour, Harold McKinley, Wilfy Hughes and Dr. John Findlay. Also a young U.S. teamster named Eddie Wheeler is here. While "greatest story teller" may not be an official category that honour probably belongs to Tom French of Elmvale who is here with his own horse Lorne Todd. Several drivers have taken up winter quarters at nearby boarding houses, many within walking distance of the track, some bordering it.

Some of the horses having a good meet are Maxines Rose from the Floyd Milton stable, Joe Herbert from the McCool barn and Frisco Meredith owned by John and Marion Reid of Ailsa Craig, Ont. A relatively new owner, Mr. Elgin Armstrong of Brampton has had considerable success this winter with Astra Colby in the barn of Jack Bannerman. Although there are no claiming races, a number of horses usually change ownership during the meet.

Racing for the winter season concluded on the afternoon of March 21,1953. A total of 10 heats were contested. Co-features were a Jr. Free For All Trot and Pace, both two heat affairs for a purse of $700. The pace winner was Vivace Song for owner Parker Locke of Morrisburg with Keith Waples scoring a two heat win. The trot feature was split between True Silver driven by Homer Harp and Castle Lee driven by Bill Harvey. The fastest mile time of closing day was recorded by the aforementioned Vivace Song pacing home in a swift 2:19.

So long from Canada's winter harness racing Capital .....As the slogan says "Dufferin Park, Where Good Friends Meet."