In the latest edition of 'Rewind' Robert Smith recalls a time when winter racing was a popular pastime at Greenwood Raceway in Toronto. Despite the sometimes harsh weather conditions,  die hard racing fans showed up in large numbers to catch the action.  

When Dufferin Park in Toronto closed its doors in 1955 it signalled the end of wintertime racing which had existed for many years, much to the delight of those who "loved" it.  The newer version of harness racing, first at Thorncliffe and later at Old Woodbine, was all accomplished in the summer months.  

This old photo shows the finish of a race at Dufferin Park taken in 1949. The track was nestled among a city neighbourhood on Dufferin Street between College and Bloor.

In 1965, as a prelude to winter racing at Greenwood, a five-eighths mile stone dust track was constructed inside the dirt track and the lights etc. were moved. At the same time, the main floor of the grandstand was glassed in and extended to the east. The paddock, the only original building remaining at Greenwood, was also glass enclosed. Soon both the racing personnel and the fans adjusted to the new kind of racing. Many people who had attended races only in more moderate weather conditions made the transition to cold winds, snow squalls and "white outs" on the track.

The first winter racing program at Greenwood started on Feb. 26, 1966 and went through to April 16. The inaugural winter session drew 254,956 fans who wagered $13,989,628. The Ontario Jockey Club termed it a "Spring" meeting, but it was the earliest start on the OJC Circuit ever.

Soon after this inaugural winter race meeting everyone became accustomed to racing during even the coldest days and nights that the shores of Lake Ontario could provide. Gradually the facilities were improved and upgraded amenities were provided for the fans. A short passage from the OJC publication Track Times summed up the changing times as follows:

"Although horsemen experience many crisp wintery nights on the track, patrons can enjoy the luxurious facilities of the Terrace Dining Lounge or stroll about the clubhouse and grandstand in shirt-sleeves. A guaranteed minimum of 60°F is maintained by huge warm air ducts which blend into the historic edifice."

In 1980 Greenwood racing officials came up with a novel idea to attract fans and better horses by instituting a series of races called the "Blizzard Series". It seemed almost uncanny that each year these races just naturally occurred on what seemed to be the absolute coldest days of any given winter. 

Recalling the 1984 Blizzard Series 

Ken Dee Countess is shown winning the final of the 1984 Blizzard series at Greenwood Raceway. As part of this week's photo quiz, can you name the three drivers in the above photo? 

In 1984 the Blizzard Series, the fifth in history,  started on Jan. 7 and continued for four weeks with the final contested on Saturday, Jan. 28. This very competitive set of races was for three- and four-year-old distaff pacers and drew enough entrants to stage 11 different divisions. From that three week elimination period came 10 different winners.  

The top nine money earners came together for the final on Saturday the 28th.  The final carried an attractive purse of $24,200.  Ken Dee Countess, the eventual winner of the series, proved from the start that she had the credentials to take home all the marbles.  While probably not part of the original plan,  she also proved that she could perform for multiple drivers.  

In her first start she proved that she had the speed and courage to get the job done but her manners were a bit in question.  Despite making multiple breaks in the opener she still finished fourth for her owner-trainer-driver Ken Hardy of Lucan, Ont. The following week she was beaten by only a neck by Pams Monkey with a new driver Trevor Ritchie at the controls.  That week's contest was timed in 2:01.3,  the fastest of all 11 preliminary divisions.  

In the third week,  Ken Dee Countess had yet another driver and this time it was Ronnie Waples on the bike.  Starting from the seven hole and with the temperature that afternoon at minus 15 degrees Celsius, she won comfortably and without any miscues.  

In the final the draw was in her favour as she drew the number one position and again had Waples at the controls.  Ronnie immediately sent her to the lead reaching the quarter in :29.3. Pams Monkey took over briefly with five-eighths of a mile to go but soon Ken Dee Countess regained the top spot. At the head of the stretch she put away Rumbas Broad and Reg Gassien and proceeded to a one-length margin in 2:01.1. The final half was recorded in a brisk 1:00 even. 

The winner was royally bred,  a three-year-old daughter of High Ideal out of Coldstream Inez, sired by Tar Boy.  She was bred and raised by Les Kennedy of Woodstock, Ont.  This same broodmare, Coldstream Inez, produced the 1981 Blizzard winner Karens Hope who was sired by Henry T Adios.  Furthermore her current four-year-old Ken Dee Escort competed in an earlier leg of this race.  

Quote For The Week: "You know how you can tell that you're getting old?  Nobody says the word 'death' around you anymore." - M. Emmet Walsh 

Who Is It?  

Can you identify this yesteryear figure who displays a mask for horses racing in harsh winter weather?  Incidentally this new piece of equipment was never approved. 

Who Else Is It?  

Can you identify this chap?  He was certainly no stranger to winter racing conditions. 

Blast From The Past

Driver Don Brainard of Whitney Point, N.Y. shows off his woolen face mask designed to ward off the cold winter winds. At the time of this photo around 1968,  at least 125 drivers were wearing these at Greenwood.