For this week's Rewind, Robert Smith takes readers on a trip way back in time, in fact, well over a century ago. Thanks to a very old race program and some vintage photographs, he is able to recreate an old-time racing venue. The scene of today's story is a track called Devonshire Racecourse, or perhaps Devonshire Racetrack, located in Windsor, Ontario.

A copy of a very old Devonshire race program from 1923 that featured a front-page photo of the legendary "Pop" Geers, referred to as "The Dean of Them All."

Many years ago, a gentleman named Jack Campbell, late of Ailsa Craig, Ontario, kindly gifted me a very old race program and a bit of background on it. It has taken me a lot of years to get around to using it, but it has finally happened. And yes, this is the Jack Campbell whose father was Duncan and his son (thanks to Florence) is John.

The now dim and distant past of Canadian harness racing history is often characterized by small, dusty tracks, sparse surroundings and less-than-ideal conditions for both the horsemen and the fans who filled the antiquated facilities. Purses were low, racing talent was often equally poor, and much of what we remember was less than ideal. Today's Rewind paints a slightly different picture of those memories.

The story is told that Jack's father, Duncan Campbell, who was then 23 years of age, had a friend who had just purchased a brand-new car around this time in 1923. Three or perhaps four young fellows conjured up the idea of taking a little road trip to the then-popular Devonshire Race Track in Windsor.

The journey from the Strathroy area to Windsor was probably about a 110-mile trip. Just what kind of roads were available back then is anybody's guess. I have read that trusty old No. 2 Highway, which eventually stretched from Windsor to Quebec City, may have been available then, at least portions of it.

Racing was scheduled for a six-day period, August 2nd through to the 8th. Just exactly when the "boys" went is believed to be Saturday the 4th, according to the program header. The races were staged under the auspices of "The Blue Ribbon Driving Club." The program read, "Conducting The Devonshire Grand Circuit Races." Based on the purses and the track facilities, I am guessing this was a major happening.

One very familiar name on the officials list was Stephen G. Philips, listed as Starting Judge. While not stated here, he was from Xenia, Ohio. Either he or his son eventually introduced the mobile starting gate, the invention said to be the greatest innovation in the history of harness racing.

A scan of the program reveals several more famous names, a few who may still have descendants involved in the sport. Also interesting was the size of the purses offered during the Grand Circuit visit. On this day, four races were scheduled, each going a possible three heats.

Race Schedule

• First Event - 2:16 Class Pacing - Purse $1,000 (Approx. $18,500 in 2026 dollars)
• Second Event - 2:16 Class Pacing - Purse $1,000
• Third Event - The Free For All Trot - Purse $5,000 (Approx. $92,400 in 2026 dollars)
• Fourth Event - The Blue Ribbon - Three-Year-Old Trotting - Purse $1,000 Added Money (Not sure what this meant)

All of the horses listed on the program for this date, with the exception of two, were shown as U.S.-owned. The two Canadian-owned entrants were Doctor B., owned by Robert Trench of Teeswater, Ont., with the driver shown simply as Belore. The other entry was Livery Pointer, owned and driven by Vic Fleming of Dundas, Ont.

A few other notable drivers at the race day included Ben White, Walter Cox, Fred Egan, Marvin Childs, Sep Palin, Chas. Lacey, Nat Ray and Will Caton. Thomas Murphy and Vic Fleming were mentioned elsewhere.

Above was the featured race of the day, August 4th, 1923. Czar Worthy was a three-heat winner with the great Thomas Murphy in the sulky for owner The Murphy Stables of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

A Devonshire program page from August 4, 1923. A handwritten note stating "Peter Manning" 1:59 1/2 would seem to acknowledge that this famous trotter recorded a sub-2:00 mile on that day at the Devonshire track. Since it was in a time trial, it was not accepted as Canada's first 2:00 mile, which did not occur until 1959.

A single ad appeared at the back of the program. It involved a very famous Windsor, Ont., establishment then known as The Island View Hotel. This business became known as "Abar's Tavern" and was owned at this time by Albert Hebert and Sons. Legend has it that it derived its name from an anglicized version of the name Hebert, which became Abar's. This watering hole was built in 1902 and stood at this location until 2016. I can attest to the existence of this place and must admit that I quaffed a few brews there myself.

Devonshire Track History

A very nice postcard created around 1925 is shown above. The caption from the reverse side is reprinted below:

c.1925; "Devonshire Race Track, located two miles beyond the city limits, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The Devonshire Race Course is one of the finest in Canada. The Club House and grandstand are picturesque buildings being of stone construction. A nine-hole golf course is an attractive feature of the park. The track serves as a mecca for Canadian and American racing devotees."

The Devonshire track had a relatively short life span. It was built in 1916, which was during the prohibition era. It was apparently built, at least in part, to attract American visitors from Michigan, where betting was illegal. In time, when U.S. laws changed and its popularity decreased, it eventually closed around 1932.

Reportedly, around 1921, the rather lavish property was further enhanced by the addition of a nine-hole golf course on adjacent property. For many years, a small portion of the old Devonshire grandstand remained as a reminder of this once-popular spot. It was eventually removed when the Devonshire Mall property was fully developed.

The following is an excerpt from an earlier Rewind concerning the modern-day Windsor Raceway that referenced the Devonshire track.

"Just a few miles east of the brand-new Windsor Raceway site is where the famous Devonshire Park Racetrack once stood. It was there that the famed trotter Peter Manning trotted an exhibition mile in 1:59 1/2 back in 1923. Shortly after this time [Windsor Raceway opened in 1965], a new landmark sprung up on the old racetrack grounds. It was the new ultra-modern Devonshire Shopping Mall, opened in 1970, that to this day serves as the area's top shopping destination."

Devonshire Racetrack Gallery

A portion of the grounds at Devonshire Racetrack showing ornate stonework and elaborate grandstand. In the background, the huge clubhouse can be seen. (Photo courtesy of Devonshire Mall archives.)

A view of the beautifully appointed grounds and gardens at the once-famous Devonshire Racetrack. What appears to be the tote board is visible in the infield. (Photo courtesy of Devonshire Mall archives.)

Fans gather around the beautifully appointed clubhouse at the Devonshire track. It was a showplace featuring many elaborate features in its construction. (Photo courtesy of Devonshire Mall archives.)

A large "D" appears on the rooftop of a beautifully stone-fronted structure at the Devonshire track. (Photo courtesy of Devonshire Mall archives.)

Quote For The Week: "He's pretty smart for a dummy." - Quip used by a baseball announcer, Justin Morneau, who was quoting someone else.

Who Is It?

Can you identify the person pictured above? Clue: He may have been around by the time today's story took place.

Who Else Is It?

Can you identify the above driver? A clue is in the background.

Blast From The Past

Here is kind of a neat picture, rather different, I might add. It was taken in Sherbrooke, Quebec, in 1966 (as near as I could determine). A few questions. Does anyone recognize him by name? What was his job at the track, likely based on this photo?

(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)