In the current edition of 'Rewind' Robert Smith recalls a time when Windsor Raceway presented racing doubleheaders much to the delight of its patrons. His piece recalls some names and other interesting tidbits of information related to a time just about exactly 50 years ago.

Windsor Star Ad announcing the coming of doubleheaders

Doubleheaders have long been a popular attraction in baseball but their introduction to harness racing is fairly recent. With the surge of interest in winter racing at Windsor Raceway back in the late 1960's, the practice of afternoon and evening racing on the same day proved to be quite successful. The following is a recap of the first doubleheader of racing for the 1969 season that was held on Saturday January 4, 1969 at Windsor. With a combined attendance of nearly 11,000 people and a total mutuel handle of over $738,000 it was evident that this was a successful day of racing and a sign of the times. During the "glory" days of Windsor these day evening doubleheaders were a big hit. It was not unusual for at least a few patrons who had attended the afternoon session to assemble at some nearby spot such as The Michigan Tavern and have a "shell or two" and head right back to the evening's festivities.

Afternoon Session

Attendance - 4,284

Mutuel Handle - $279,097

A total of nine races went postward in the afternoon before an enthusiastic crowd happy to be back at the races following the holiday season. The driving star of the matinee event was 40-year-old Murray Waples of Victoria Harbour, Ont., who reined three horses to the winner's circle. He was home first in the third with Billy Hal C., came back in the seventh with Flashy Flic and closed out the afternoon taking the last race behind Barra Bee. These three tallies when added to his two wins from New Year's night vaulted him to an early lead in the driver's race. It was also a productive program for trainer Johnny Reid and his wife Marion of Ailsa Craig, Ont., who owned the first two. In addition to his three wins this afternoon, Murray also chalked up two second place finishes. Other winning pilots on the afternoon were Mike Novick Jr. with two wins, Gene MacDonald, John Bonne, Ross Johnston and Jack Campbell who scored in the opener with Captain Scott for owner Murray Mackey of Parkhill, Ont.

Left: Murray Waples; Right: Patch Pride and a bundled up driver Tom Merriman braved the 5° temperatures at Windsor in winning the feature race of the evening card (Windsor Star photo)

Evening Program

Attendance - 6,502

Mutuel Handle - $459,246

In the evening portion of the twinbill with a 7:45 post time, 10 races made up an excellent card of racing offering a total of $17,600 in purse money. Although he had several drives under the lights, the afternoon driving "ace" Murray Waples was unable to repeat the magic that he had worked in the earlier program. In the eighth race which, carried a purse of $2,900, he nearly caused an upset as he slipped up the inside lane with Sarge Patterson but couldn't catch the favoured Earlylakes John who got the win for Everett Norris with the Waples mount taking second. Driver Norris also won on this card with Royal Alex in the fifth race. Midway through the program two local horses scored wins in back-to-back races. In the sixth, Winsocki Wick driven by Mike Novick Jr. bested a field of six after a scratch of Gina Guinea, pacing home in front for owners Bruce and Frances Fulmer of Windsor in 2:07.2. In the next race Gentry Yates handled by Bert Madill won a conditioned race for owner Clarence Hyatt of nearby Leamington.

The most anticipated event of the evening was the Invitation Pace for a purse of $5,000 that attracted six starters. Based on his latest outings, the overwhelming favourite was Zip Tar owned by Russel Miller of Dutton, Ont. and driven by the afternoon driving star Murray Waples. Following two straight wins, the son of Tar Heel - Timely Dream was sent postward at odds of 3-5. Leaving from the outside post, Zip Tar headed for the lead but was heavily challenged by Lee O driven by Gene Marchand and the torrid tussle for the lead saw the pair reach the first marker in :29.2. This fast start seemed to take its toll on both horses and Lee O eventually faded to last with Zip Tar hanging on for a third-place finish, much to the chagrin of his many backers in the audience. For a time it appeared that Bold Ruler Pick (Bobby Gordon) would gain his first victory in Invitational company but in the final strides Patch Pride driven by Tom Merriman edged up to take the win, pacing in an incredible 2:05.2 on an evening where the mercury dipped to just 5°F. The other starters were Walvis Bay 4th and Castle Knight finishing fifth.

The winning horse Patch Pride and his driver had to have experienced quite a shock in climate change as they had just returned from racing in California and were making their first local start for owner Robert Kalish of Southfield, Michigan. The eight-year-old gelding was sent off at 9-2 and returned $11.30 to win which oddly was the longest win payoff for the 10-race program. The winning connections were rewarded with a nice Windsor Raceway blanket, a gift that was fitting given the weather conditions. The slowest mile of the evening was recorded in the third race when Collingwood Boy driven by Clarence Lockhart was the winner in 2:14 with Magella (Bev Kingston) taking second and Easy Girl (Ken Kimball) getting up for third.

Within a couple of years the number of day-night doubleheaders was increased and the betting numbers escalated accordingly. In early 1971 the track announced that it would present 22 dates with two programs of racing.

Commentary: For those who remember these days it was a great time in Canadian harness racing. People flocked to racetracks to see live racing; they paid for parking, admission to the grandstand or a premium to sit in the clubhouse and of course bought a program. Once in, you were often lucky to find a seat. People also recall that by the end of each racing program you could quite easily cut the smoke-filled air with a knife!

Who Is It?

Can you identify this driver that often competed at Windsor?

Bonus Photo

Can you name this non-driving trainer associated with the Windsor track?

As always the correct answers will be given during the upcoming week.