In the latest edition of Rewind Robert Smith recalls a milestone event at the now defunct Windsor Raceway that occurred some 56 years ago back in 1968. It reminds us of just how much has changed over that time span.
When Windsor Raceway opened in October of 1965 it introduced an entirely new era in the sport. Ten years prior to this in 1955, the legendary and ancient Dufferin Park in Toronto closed forever, thus removing winter time racing after a very long and storied history. The new Windsor track was an entirely different story. Things had changed.
Fans could now watch top notch racing throughout the winter, with all the comforts of virtual summer weather. On the backstretch, those who put on the show had many more comforts than in days gone by. Heated tack rooms, direct telephone lines to the racing office and just a better overall existence. On top of this the track was designed to be in "fast" condition regardless of the elements. This was thanks to a synthetic tartan substance manufactured by the 3M Company. I recall that a strip of the same material was on the floor as you entered the grandstand.
A view of the stable area at Windsor Raceway during the very early years of the track's existence
It is difficult to fathom based on the speeds that horses routinely travel today, that when Windsor opened there had only been six sub-two minute clockings on Canadian soil! Yes, count them: SIX!! And that was in the entire history of Canadian harness racing. Ironically the first one on the list dated back to 1923. Guess where it happened?
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 [1965], a new landmark sprung up on the old Racetrack grounds. It was the new ultramodern Devonshire Shopping Mall opened in 1970 that to this day serves as the area's top shopping destination.
When Windsor opened in late October of 1965 (on October 22nd) an opening meeting of approximately 10 weeks managed to experience several respectable mile times. The fastest pacing mile was set by a mare named Barbara Johnston when her owner and driver Gerald Johnston from the Dresden area piloted her to a winning time of 2:02.1. The horse that cut the entire mile and finished a close second was Philip Brian. That would stand as the first official track record and remained unbroken for quite a while.
Sub-2:00 Speed Comes To Windsor Raceway
Above is how the teletimer looked following Windsor's first sub 2:00 mile in 1968 set by Philip Brian
On the evening of October 12, 1968, almost three years after Windsor opened, the track witnessed its first ever sub-two minute mile. Philip Brian, a then seven-year-old gelding, hung out the first "miracle mile" as they were referred to back then. He had been a fan favourite and actually won Windsor's first ever Invitational Pace back in 1965 shortly after the track opened.
On that night driver Jim Merriman Jr. was Philip Brian's driver as he had often been as he at times shared driving duties with his brother Tom Merriman. Their father Jim Sr. was the trainer. While Philip Brian had cut out a number of miles that resulted in either track records or memorable races, on this occasion that job was done by another very well known speedster of the day. Blaze Pick, owned by Russell Miller of Dutton, Ont., led throughout the early part of the race before yielding to the record setter.
In the three years (1965 - 1968) from the time the track opened until this record setting performance, the number of sub-2:00 miles recorded in Canada had risen sharply. Philip Brian's score was number 31 in history.
Philip Brian had an amazing record at the Windsor oval. In 30 lifetime starts he won 15 times, to go along with seven second place finishes and was third on wo occasions. This very accomplished horse died at the age of 10 while training in Florida from a suspected stomach ailment. He was being prepped for the upcoming 1971 season at the time. At the time of his passing he was the biggest money winner in the history of Windsor Raceway. His owner termed the loss as "like losing a member of the family."
He was purchased as a four year old for $15,000 by his longtime owners Louis and son Gerald Mijal of Westland, Michigan from J.L. Penrod. He went on to a fabulous career which saw him win $276,828 in purse money. Soon after his passing Windsor track officials announced that a memorial race honouring this horse would become part of their annual stakes program.
In 1973 the winner of the Philip Brian Memorial Pace was won by Bedford Jet. Pictured above from left to right are: Al Nagler, Windsor Publicity; owners Mr. & Mrs. Ed Weber; and driver-trainer Keith Quinlan.
Windsor Raceway was part of the Ontario racing scene for some 47 years. Opening night was October 22, 1965 and it closed on August 31, 2012. Today the grounds stand much as they did when it closed with virtually all traces of its former self removed except for the paved parking lots. The property has never been repurposed.
An old Windsor Raceway sign recalls a bygone era
Quote For The Week: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” - Walt Disney
Who Is It?
Can you identify this bevy of drivers that were pictured in a Windsor program back in the 1970's?
Who Else Is It?
How many people can you identify from this photo taken at Windsor many years ago? Include the horse's name if you recognize him.