Oldest Racetracks...

[tzipi]

What are some fo the oldest tracks around? I know Saratoga opened in 1864 and Aqueduct in 1894. Are they the two oldest? How about harness tracks?

[illinoisbred]

1852-Fair Grounds, but was called by another name-Union Race Course-same location though.

[Jay Trotter]

The current Woodbine carries the name originally used by a racetrack which operated in east Toronto, at Queen Street East and Kingston Road, from 1874 through 1993. On June 12 , 1956 (http://infao5501.ag5.mpi-sb.mpg.de:8080/topx/archive?link=Wikipedia-Lip6-2/34672.xml&style)the name was transferred to the new racetrack; the old track was converted to a combined thoroughbred and standardbred track known thereafter as Old Woodbine or, for most of the rest of its history, as Greenwood Raceway.

[Horseplayersbet.com]

Fort Erie 1897.

[Horseplayersbet.com]

The current Woodbine carries the name originally used by a racetrack which operated in east Toronto, at Queen Street East and Kingston Road, from 1874 through 1993. On June 12 , 1956 (http://infao5501.ag5.mpi-sb.mpg.de:8080/topx/archive?link=Wikipedia-Lip6-2/34672.xml&style)the name was transferred to the new racetrack; the old track was converted to a combined thoroughbred and standardbred track known thereafter as Old Woodbine or, for most of the rest of its history, as Greenwood Raceway.
Actually it was know as Greenwood Racetrack. Unless it was harness racing season.

[tzipi]

1852-Fair Grounds, but was called by another name-Union Race Course-same location though.

Is Fair Grounds the oldest?

[illinoisbred]

Yes,I believe it is.

[Horseplayersbet.com]

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
1. Fairgrounds, New Orleans. Opened in 1853. http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/

2. Saratoga racetrack. Opened in 1863. http://www.nyra.com/index_saratoga.html

3. Pimlico racetrack. Opened in 1870. http://www.pimlico.com/

4. Churchill Downs. Opened in 1875. http://www.churchilldowns.com/

5. Aqueduct racetrack, opened 1894 but subsequently rebuilt. http://www.nyra.com/index_aqueduct.html

Monmouth Park, opened in the 1870's but closed and then re-opened in the 1940's. http://www.monmouthpark.com/

Fort Erie racetrack, opened in 1897 but on the blocks for closure unless a miracle happens. http://www.forterieracing.com/http://www.forterieracing.com/

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081116111055AAPbQgN

"The oldest active track in US is "Historic Track"
in Goshen, NY. This Harness track began operating in 1838 and is still featuring live racing ."

[tzipi]

Good info guys! :ThmbUp:

Funny,I just read a REALLY creepy story about Goshen Racetrack in the NY Post the other day. Here's another article about it. :eek:
http://gothamist.com/2009/12/19/teen_arrested_for_having_sex_with_h.php

[Trotman]

Union Race Couse in New Orleans 1852 first sanctioned race meet in North America although the first sanctioned race meet by the Royal family happened on Long Island, New York around 1665 and was heat racing.

[lamboguy]

i always thought that ROCKINGHAM PARK was one of the oldest. they used to advertise "where it all began". bombs away bob probably knows more than i on this subject

[bisket]

pimlico

[illinoisbred]

If I'm not mistaken, there was an older track in the city of New Orleans which closed and became a large cemetary before the existence of the Fair Grounds.

[Trotman]

lamboguy I pulled out some of the info I picked up at the HOF in Saratoga and that's where I came up with it. And as for Rockingham I have a old program that states they were where it all began. ;)

[tzipi]

ROCKINGHAM PARK- 1906

Narragansett Park in NY was the oldest 1934 it opened. 182 Acres.

[tzipi]

ROCKINGHAM PARK- 1906

Narragansett Park in NY was the oldest 1934 it opened. 182 Acres.

I meant Narragansett opened in 1834 on 182 acres. Was located in Rhode Island. Has to be one of the oldest.

[price]

FREEHOLD

[Bruddah]

Oaklawn celebrated it's centenial on 2005. If I'm not mistaken, all those years have been with the Cella family owning it.

[Track Collector]

I believe Saratoga, Pimlico, and Timonium are the oldest active racetracks currently running, all being in the 130+ year range.

Out West, although they stopped running around the year 2000, the oldest I believe were Playfair (in Spokane, WA) and Helana, MT.

[affirmedny]

"The oldest active track in US is "Historic Track"
in Goshen, NY. This Harness track began operating in 1838 and is still featuring live racing ."

It's not the same track and not in the same location.

[Nacumi]

There was a harness track called Hunting Park in Philadelphia in 1810, stemming from a very famous thoroughbred stallion called Messenger, who actually arrived in Philadelphia in 1788 and went on to sire thoroughbreds that became trotters. Philadelphia's Race Street (formerly High Street) got its name because of the illegal races that took place there (including some of William Penn's horses.) It was the straightest, flattest street in the city, perfect for some good 'meets'.