This week's Rewind is a reminiscence about the once popular Western Canadian track called Marquis Downs. Robert Smith has located some old photographs and other information about this now defunct racetrack. This track played an important role in popularizing harness racing in the prairie Provinces over a half century ago.
The decade of the 1960s saw a virtual "explosion" in the building of new racetracks in Canada. For several preceding decades literally no new tracks were built and the old ones just seemingly grew older. That all changed when in 1961 night time racing finally came to Ontario. Leading the way was London's Western Fair track which was updated to accommodate racing under the lights. In 1962 Rideau Carleton opened. In 1963 Mohawk was completed and the following year Garden City joined the Jockey Club Circuit. In 1965 Windsor became the fourth brand new track to open in Ontario.
In 1969 a brand new track named Marquis Downs, located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan became Canada's newest venue for harness racing. In June of that year an announcement was made by the Saskatoon Industrial Board confirming that the track located on the Exhibition grounds would be named Marquis Downs. The selection was the result of submissions made by the public. A total of over 400 entries were received from people throughout Western Canada.
The name that was chosen was submitted by Maxwell L. Davies, a resident of Wilson Crescent, Saskatoon. For his efforts he received a free lifetime pass to the new facility for he and his wife as well as being named honourary racing director for the 1969 season. The fact that Marquis wheat made Western Canada famous as an agricultural area added significance to the name Marquis Downs. Once the announcement was made immediate plans to design suitable logos and appropriate signage were put in motion.
A view of the Marquis Downs grandstand in the earlier days
The start up of the track was accomplished against all odds and its rapid completion probably qualifies it for some spot in the Guinness Book of Records. With sod turning not taking place until late April the facility was completed in mid-July which had to be considered a stroke of genius. Marquis Downs was described by a local sports writer as "a delight to both patrons and horses."
The cost of the project was pegged at around $500,000 and was said to be among the finest facilities west of Toronto. The ultra modern grandstand featuring steel, concrete and glass was all prefabricated. It was designed to provide 3,276 individual seats, featuring coluor coding in case reserved seating became a requirement. With seating and standing areas outside, the entire facility was estimated to be able to accommodate up to 10,000 patrons.
Apart from Vancouver, the new facility offered the only five-eighths mile racing strip in Western Canada. Wiring was laid in anticipation that night time racing could be accomplished in the near future if required. The track itself at 90 feet wide was designed to accommodate a field of eight horses behind the gate. The track surface was engineered for the local weather conditions and predicted to produce faster race times.
While the physical part of the track was completed in record time, a number of other aspects lagged well behind. For starters the local would-be racing fans had been tuned into thoroughbred racing for the previous 40 years. In short the public did not respond too quickly to the sulkies. To compound the problem the number of horses required on the grounds was well below what was required or anticipated by the management team.
Just prior to the actual opening of the new track a press release in the local Phoenix newspaper outlined a number of details of the opening meeting. "From as far west as Washington State and British Columbia and as far East as London and Ottawa, the trotters and pacers are converging on Saskatoon for the big time harness meet which opens July 14th at the new Marquis Downs."
A view of the backstretch stable area at Marquis Downs
Saskatoon Exhibition Manager Elwood Hart confirmed that he had received 72 stall applications from horsemen who had just completed the meeting at London, Ontario's Western Fair Raceway. Included in that contingent was John Murphy, Vern Soper and Dan Campbell, all veterans of the tough Golden Horseshoe circuit around Toronto. Hart's latest estimate of the headcount of horses expected for the startup was nearing the 400 mark.
A goodly number of local horsemen were also slated to race during the opening meeting. Included in that list were Nealie Oliver of Beechy, Art Hunter of Hanley, Steve Schedlosky who was already stabled there, Norman Temple with the Dr. Isman-owned contingent, Keith Linton, Forest Wilson, Dr. Brad Gunn and countless others.
A view of the Marquis Downs grandstand in later years when the track was a popular destination for both harness and thoroughbred racing
Opening day, which was July 14, saw a wagering pool of $29,949. This was well below the break even point of $55,000 but officials were hopeful for better days. In the opening race a mile in 2:10 was hung out by trotter Clever Joe as the track's first speed record. It lasted until the featured 7th race, The Marquis Downs Inaugural Pace.
Opening day was not without a little extra excitement early in the day. In just the second race, George Paveley of Regina went down when his horse Beauty Adios made a miscue caused by another breaking pacer. Thankfully both horse and driver were unhurt. The rest of the program went on without any distractions.
The highlight of the new track's opening day fittingly occurred in the featured Inaugural Pace. Well known local owner and driver Nealie Oliver was a winner behind his own Dixie Adios, touring the new track in 2:05.3. According to reports at the time this kind of mile time meant that the new track had arrived with a bang. Oliver grabbed the lead immediately with his four-year-old son of Adios Pick and was able to fend off a late charge by Mohawk Adios for the win. He was awarded the Inaugural trophy and the Molson Golden Plate for setting the first track record. The race carried a purse of $800.
Two drivers who had excellent success during the first ever season at Marquis both visited the winner's circle on opening day. Larry Kosters made two visits, in the third and fifth races. Steve Schedlosky scored in the sixth race with Senga Hope. They were both frequent winners throughout the meeting.
Saturday of Exhibition Week on July 19th was really the only gratifying day from a spectator and betting viewpoint. The stands were full and wagering topped the $65,000 mark. To make it a perfect afternoon veteran area horseman Nealie Oliver was again the star. He seemingly picked that afternoon to establish a new track record. Piloting his own standout Dixie Adios, the native of Beechy, Sask. lowered the track standard to 2:03.4. This kind of mile was unheard of in Western Canada at this time.
In the short 12-day meeting, a total of 35 other trotters and pacers lowered their lifetime best. In the wagering totals a 12-day average of $36,532 was realized, obviously not sufficient in the long run. The track went on for many years hosting both harness and thoroughbred racing but eventually closed in 2022.
Quote For The Week: "Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it, but to delight in it when it comes." - Charles Dickens, English novelist.
Who Is It?
Can you identify this gentleman as he adjusts a wheel disc which at the time this photo was taken was a fairly new piece of racing equipment?
Who Else Is It?
Can you name the above person who was associated with the Marquis Downs track at the time of its startup?
(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)