In this week's Rewind, Robert Smith recalls some happenings and old pictures from Flamboro Downs' now-over-50-year history. He has included a mini picture quiz of memorable moments from the track's past.
Back in 1975, Flamboro Downs became Ontario's and also Canada's newest racetrack. It was essentially the brainchild of a gentleman named "Charlie" Juravinski. He was determined and willing to take on the challenge of starting up a huge venture that would have to compete against the well-established and powerful Ontario Jockey Club.
Charles (actually, his given name was Orest) was born in Saskatchewan but eventually, around 1942, moved with his family to the Hamilton area. Of Ukrainian descent, he was tremendously ambitious and energetic and worked at many jobs after leaving school at a rather young age. He worked as a bricklayer and in other construction-related jobs, eventually operating an Esso gas station. With money saved, he started a succession of businesses; most notably, Flamboro Downs.
He faced a "tough board," to quote an old saying, as his immediate competition included five established tracks situated within an hour's drive from Hamilton. He was originally advised to build a track at the Ancaster Fairgrounds. Instead, he opted to build a track from scratch in nearby Flamborough, Ont.. He partnered with trucking magnate John Grant for the project. They remained partners for many years until Juravinski purchased Mr. Grant's interests.
The track grew and prospered over the years under the ownership of Charlie and his wife Margaret. It became known as "Canada's fastest half-mile track." In 1975, the year the track opened, the then-new Ontario Sires Stakes program was in just its second year. Flamboro proudly joined the list of host tracks.
They eventually sold it in 2003 to Magna Entertainment as they entered into retirement. They had witnessed many changes and challenges and survived them all.
Shortly before this time, the Ontario Jockey Club reportedly made an offer to purchase the track but later withdrew from the deal. This move eventually worked to Juravinski's advantage, as he received a substantially higher sum from Magna.
The Start Of Flamboro
The above scene shows the very beginnings of the Flamboro Downs track, which opened at Dundas, Ont., in 1975. It was a bit of a departure from recent track builds, as it featured the traditional half-mile racetrack with some very new design features intended to make it safer and faster.
To say that Charlie was a "hands-on" builder may have been slightly understated. He reportedly "camped out" in a small trailer on the construction site and literally counted and kept tabs on deliveries of stone and gravel and a host of other items required in the building of his project. He saw it built from day one to opening day.
From the very beginning, a gentleman named Ray Connell was a vital part of the track's management, serving as its first President, a job he retained until the mid-1980s. He is pictured below.
Track president Ray Connell addresses the opening night crowd at Flamboro. Just to his left are two other principal figures at the track, Charlie Juravinski (with hat) and John Grant.
The evening of Wednesday, April 9, 1975, will undoubtedly go down in the annals of Canadian harness racing history as one of the great openings of a new track. It might well be termed a "fairy tale," as so many unbelievable happenings took place. It has been said that we only have one chance to record history, and this grand opening was quite a spectacle.
Long before the first race post time of 7:30, patrons began to stream into the new facility. Any fears that track officials had about lack of interest were quickly dispelled; people came in droves. The 5,000 programs (at 50 cents each) that had been printed for opening night were sold out long before start time.
By first post, nearly 6,500 people had filed into the track, and many more were turned away. There was simply no place to squeeze them into a facility that was designed to comfortably hold around 4,000. Long lines of traffic led up to the track in every direction, even after the third race.
Some accounts said the traffic jams were up to 10 miles in length, others said five; in any event, it seemed like the place to be, with the official attendance listed as 6,532. I can't help but wonder if this might have been the last time people were turned away from a racetrack...
When the night's tallies were taken, the handle was $232,190, respectable by any standard. A tired but very happy President, Mr. Connell, summed up the evening, saying, "We are very pleased with the turnout and the evening as a whole," also stating that any problems were minor and would soon be worked out. He seemed as worried about those turned away and hoped they would soon return.
About the Juravinskis
Juravinski married Margaret at the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church in 1956. They had met after becoming acquainted at a Kresgee store in Hamilton, where she worked at a lunch counter. They remained married for 66 years until his death. They did not have children.
Juravinski died in his sleep on February 15, 2022, at Margaret's Place, a hospice that his wife and he had helped build in Dundas, Ont. He was 92, and had suffered from declining mobility and sight prior to his death. His widow, Margaret, died just over a year later, on May 9, 2023, at the age of 91.
FLAMBORO PICTURE QUIZ
The following pictures were taken at various times over the years at Flamboro. If you wish, join in on the identifying by sending in a comment.
1 - Can you name the driver and perhaps the horse in this 1985 photo?
2 - A highlight from 1990 was captured in this photo. Can you name at least a few? Somehow the winning driver didn't get into the picture. What was happening on this day?
3 - This horse became the first one to record a sub-two-minute mile over the Flamboro oval. Can you name the driver and perhaps the horse?
4 - This horse and driver were a successful duo at Flamboro in the 1980s. They recorded several OSS victories at this track.
5 - In 1975, a special non-betting match race was held as a promotional feature at the then-new track. Can you name the two participants?
(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)
Quote For The Week: "Word of mouth is the key to business."