Delaware Park Horseracing Track
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Delaware Park Horseracing Track is a thoroughbred racing facility in Wilmington, Delaware with two tracks. Its meet normally starts in late April and, save for a few dark days, continues through November.
Delaware Park Horseracing Track is one of the most important racetracks in the Delaware Valley area and as a testament, is host to many significant stakes events including the Delaware Handicap, the Delaware Oaks, the Light Hearted Handicap and the Endine Handicap.
Delaware Park Horseracing Track Facts
- Track Data
- One mile oval with six furlong and 1 1/4 mile chutes. Length of stretch from last turn to finish line is 995 feet. Main track is 100 feet wide with Fontana Safety Rail.
- Turf Course is seven furlongs inside the main track
- The signature track feature is a cedar wood paddock and large walking ring in a hedged park. It can be viewed through the grove area and terraces off each clubhouse level.
Paddock & Walking Ring
History of Delaware Park Horseracing Track
- In 1933, legislation was passed to create the Delaware Racing Commission. The state decided to move forward with the legalization of racing as the Great Depression took its toll on the state's finances. Conservatives had traditionally fought the establishment of horseracing in the state.
- In 1935, the Delaware Racing Commission was given the power to grant licenses for the selling of pools by pari-mutuel machines and to receive wagers within the limits of the law.
- In 1936, a group of businessmen that included William DuPont, Jr. met with the Commission to lay the groundwork for the promotion of the breeding of thoroughbred horses and the establishment of a racetrack. The businessmen purchased a large tract of land in Stanton and began to build a racing facility.
- On June 26, 1937, Delaware Park Horseracing Track opened its doors to the general public. The original facilities consisted of an open-air, 7,500 seat grandstand with a tiered Clubhouse/Turf Club on the upper level. The track itself was a one-mile dirt oval with a pair of steeplechase turf courses. The backstretch contained stables for 1,226 horses.
- Horseracing flourished in Delaware Park Horseracing Track throughout the next several years, though it was forced to close briefly in 1943 during World War II. In 1944, the track reopened.
- In 1958, a $2.8 million expansion was undertaken. Included in the expansion was the building of a new clubhouse and the enlargement of the grandstand.
- In the 1960s, Delaware Park Horseracing Track became a haven for summer racing fans in the Mid-Atlantic region. Visitors came from Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York.
- In the 1970s the expansion of racing dates at Garden State Park, Atlantic City Racecourse and at the other New York and Maryland tracks reduced Delaware Park Horseracing Track's pull. In addition, each state formed its own racing circuit and as a result, many fans from adjoining states no longer went to Delaware Park Horseracing Track.
- In September 1982, Delaware Park Horseracing Track closed its doors due to financial difficulties.
- In the spring of 1984, the track reopened under a new owner.
- A 1985 season was held and brought moderate success to Delaware Park Horseracing Track with a $522,134 daily average handle. That year over $1 million was wagered by simulcast on Kentucky Derby day from Delaware Park Horseracing Track.
- Over the next several years, Delaware Park Horseracing Track was quite successful in meeting an onslaught of competition from neighboring states.
- On December 29, 1995, Delaware Park Horseracing Track opened a slots facility which further expanded the Park's onsite attractions.