In this week's Rewind Robert Smith turns the calendar back to 1975 when Greenwood Raceway -- sometimes referred to as "The Downtown Track" -- celebrated its 100th Birthday. He traces the track's founding and early history with much of the emphasis on the years when harness racing was held there. A number of old and interesting photographs are displayed.

This is the first of a three-part story with the others to follow in upcoming Rewinds.

The Woodbine track's long and colourful history began back in the 1874 - 1875 period when two gentlemen named Pardee and Howell built a track at the foot of Woodbine Avenue near Lake Ontario. Within a short time the owners unfortunately encountered serious financial problems and the property reverted to the original land owner, Mr. Joseph Duggan, a retired innkeeper. Through his efforts the original Ontario Jockey Club was reportedly formed in the early 1880's. From this point in time began the story of one of the most beloved racetracks in history and certainly one well remembered by virtually everyone who was ever privileged to visit there. It is indeed a place rich in history.

Woodbine Park Racecourse as it appeared in 1909 during a thoroughbred meeting ​

This historic old photo is entitled "The Bookies At The Woodbine, Toronto."

In the beginning and for many years, the facility was home to thoroughbred racing, jumping events -- which were discontinued in 1953, and steeplechase. It was not until 1954 that harness racing was held at the then over 75-year-old facility located at Kingston Road and Queen Street. After four years of summer Standardbred racing in Toronto at Thorncliffe Park, the dates were transferred to the Old Woodbine facility where James Brown served as General Manager. In the beginning the intention was to bridge the gap between the spring and fall thoroughbred meetings as not everyone concerned was certain that the plan to integrate harness racing would work.

Pictured is two-year-old Sammy Herbert and driver Jack Herbert of London, Ont. during the inaugural Old Woodbine meeting in 1954. (Michael Burns Photo)​

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Monday, July 5, 1954 marked the opening day of harness racing at the Old Woodbine track in Toronto and the first meeting lasted 35 days. Six races, two double dashes and four single dashes filled the card, making a day of eight heats. Night racing was not yet allowed in Ontario so post time had to occur at a time that ended prior to darkness. Twilight races were often held at this track as well as matinées. Post time was 4:30 p.m.

There were two feature races on opening day, both carded as Class 18 Conditioned Pace. The first was won in two straight heats by Lenas Boy driven by Lloyd Turvey for owner Reg McGee, a Goderich auto dealer, in a speedy 2:13. In the second feature, the four-year-old mare Evelyn G Dillon was home first in both heats, the quickest in 2:15.2. The Dillon Mc sired miss was owned by Jack Goyette of Hamilton Ont. and very capably driven by Almer Holmes. Day One was in the record books; many more were to follow.

Purses ranged from a minimum of $400 up to a single heat Invitation that opened the inaugural meeting on Saturday afternoon that week with a prize of $1,000. That feature race was won by the outstanding pacer Argyle Grattan, owner driven by Duncan Campbell, touring the oval in 2:09 flat. This horse had been a standout at Thorncliffe and was picking up where he left off the previous year.

The new venture at Old Woodbine met with widespread approval from the horsemen. For many who had competed at Thorncliffe Park this was a welcome continuation of summer racing. As an indication of the popularity of this meeting, horse people came from Quebec, Manitoba and at least seven U.S. States. There were very few ship-ins, practically everyone was stabled on the grounds.

From this humble beginning sprang much of the modern day history of harness racing in Canada and particularly Ontario. While progress was at times slow, it was always steady. The statistics from back then showed growth in all areas which encouraged the track's operators to invest in upgrades and improvements for both the fans and the backstretch residents. While reports of the four-year experiment at Thorncliffe were often glowing and 'glossy' about the successes achieved I believe the financial ledgers were not all printed in black.

The following is an abbreviated chronology of the first seven years (1954-1960) of harness racing held at Old Woodbine. Future Rewinds will cover the later years in a similar fashion.

1954 - In the 35 days of racing a total of 73,490 people wagered $ 2,395,657. Hugh McLean and Vic Lutman were the leading drivers at the inaugural meeting each with 20 wins. The two top events previously held at Thorncliffe were continued here. Egan Grattan, a U.S. invader who was bred and raised in Canada, captured the Canada Cup for pacers edging out Argyel Grattan in the $6,000 event. The undisputed trotting star was Ben Boy, a four-year-old standout owned by Mrs. Ruth Wray of Schomberg, Ont. and driven by Keith Waples. This horse was entered in five events and was a winner in each start including the Maple Leaf Trot.

1955 - The second year meeting was slightly reduced to 32 days but the acceptance of harness racing was reflected in the increased mutuel handle of $2, 700,000 and an attendance of 88,250. Keith Waples was the dash winning driver with 19 victories. With the closing of the fabled Dufferin Park in March, this meant that Old Woodbine was the only harness racing being staged in Metro Toronto.

On opening day (July 5th), a new race called "the Dan Patch Stake" attracted 11 three-year-olds and was raced in two elims and a final. After Ike took the first heat and Captain Wright (Vic Rowntree) the second, the top eight finishers returned for the final. The chestnut gelding with the nice simple name Ike was again the winner for driver "Jiggs" McFadden and owner Charlie Hales of Dutton, Ont.

1956 - Many improvements were made including increased parking lots, a revamped track to 3/4 mile and a new track kitchen. Attendance was up substantially with a daily average of 3,400 people and a then record $ 3,256,255 was wagered. Harold McKinley was leading dash winning driver with 25 trips to the winner's circle. "Jiggs" McFadden a perennial star at the small town circuit made his presence felt winning the first ever Beaches Stake with Ruth Hal M. An ongoing problem in the early years was the track surface which catered more to the looser footing preferred by thoroughbreds. Rains often worsened the situation at times making it difficult for the starting gate to function in a safe manner. For the second straight year the Maple Leaf Trot did not fill so was declared off.

A true 'Cinderella' horse emerged this year as the eight-year-old Meadow Art made his first ever lifetime start during the opening week of the meeting and trotted to victory in 2:14. Under the steady hand of Sarnia horseman Marshall Moore, the previously unraced son of Dean Hanover kept winning races, eventually making it difficult to find competition. Finally to get him a start he was entered in the Invitational Trot on Woodbine's closing day. The fairy tale ends there as he finished last in both heats. Owner Wes Litt of Stratford had purchased this horse as a yearling at the Harrisburg sale in 1949 and long held the belief that he would one day reach the races. Some dreams require a bit of patience.

​Driver Cecil Coke of Petrolia, Ont., a member of the early driving colony at Old Woodbine is shown in the winner's circle during 1956 following a victory with Baldy Carter owned by Al Leverington of St. Thomas, Ont. The very sight of this old photo tells a lot about this era of racing; the lettering of the picture, the driver's attire and the finish of the race. In the stretch drive the grey mare Silver T Lee (Jiggs McFadden) is second while on the inside somewhat obscured from the camera is Hals Bomb (Hughie McLean). All of these horses and drivers were an integral part of the start up of Woodbine as an important harness venture.

1957 - The rebuilding of the complex continued with two new 48-stall barns and new quarters adjacent to the kitchen for racing officials. One new beverage room and 2,150 more seats were added to handle the ever increasing attendance which now reached nearly 140,000 and an even higher handle of $4,919,680. This marked the first year the harness horses used the 3/4 mile track, which included a chute. Harold McKinley again led the drivers parade with 25 top finishes.

1958 - More building saw 4,400 new seats added and the demolition of the old Jockey's building which was replaced by a multi use structure to serve the paddock. A new high 50 days of harness action saw the handle reach $6,404,000 and a record $285,175 paid out in purse money. The big race of the season, The Maple Leaf Trot went to Mr. Baldridge driven by Phil Dussault for original owner Laurier Bourgon and the purse was $5,120, highest to date. The leading driver was Levi "Jiggs" McFadden, scoring 22 wins. The race for top driver's spot went right down to almost the final race as McFadden edged out Port Elgin's Hugh McLean with Wilbert Hopkins of Walters Falls close behind in third spot.

Shown above is one of the winningest horses during the 1959 O. W. season. Mighty Nice, a four-year-old mare reaches the wire a winner for driver Levi "Jiggs" McFadden and owners Jack McIntosh of Wheatley (also the trainer) and his partner Raymond Burgess of Tilbury. In her 1959 season she was a 10 time winner in 18 starts. In the photo below Mighty Nice and "Jiggs" appear in the Old Woodbine winner's circle with a view of the white picket fence that was such a memorable part of this old track.

1959 - Two more 44-stall barns were erected and numerous seating, dining and other upgrades were completed. Betting, attendance and purse distribution showed a big rise as 50 days of racing thrilled over 200,000 fans. The ageless Duncan Campbell, then 59 years young, posted 28 wins to lead all drivers. This year was by far the most successful to that point in time. With each passing year it became more evident that harness racing was a popular sport even in a big city environment.

A young family attending the races at Old Woodbine watch the post parade

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1960 - The harness portion again was 50 days with more records being set. The Maple Leaf Trot went to Selka Song, part of the powerful Armstrong contingent from nearby Brampton with Harold McKinley driving. He again took home the dash winning crown. This year marked the first appearance of a new driving sensation in the person of Wm. Wellwood. The young Merlin, Ont. native, who just turned 20 during the meeting, scored numerous wins including winning the three-year-old Trotting Futurity behind the sometimes erratic Kintoo Colby. In addition to the stable he trained, his services were much in demand as a catch driver for several owners. Bill often told me that Greenwood and Old Woodbine held a special place in his heart because that is where his racing career really started.

​Driver Wm. Wellwood appears in the winner's circle following a victory with Jimmy Patch C.

(Note: A big thanks is extended to former O.J.C. Publicity official Bill Galvin who supplied a great deal of information used in this edition of Rewind as well as the upcoming Greenwood pieces.)