Delaware Park Racetrack facts for kids
Delaware Park (also known as DelPark) is a fun place in Stanton, Delaware, where you can watch exciting Thoroughbred horse racing. It also has a casino and a golf course. It's located close to Wilmington and about 30 miles from Philadelphia.
Horse Racing Fun
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Delaware Park Racetrack was designed and built by William duPont, Jr. and Donald P. Ross. It first opened on June 26, 1937. Today, it's the only place in Delaware where you can watch thoroughbred horse racing. Races usually happen from May to October.
The money given to winners, called "race purses," has grown bigger recently. This is because the casino at Delaware Park has been doing well. In 2005, the average prize money for a race at Delaware Park was about $30,650. This was one of the highest in the United States, helping to bring many talented horses and new racers to the track.
Many famous horses have raced here! For example, Afleet Alex and Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro both won their very first races at Delaware Park. Also, a fast mare named Xtra Heat used to train here. Today, many horses based at Delaware Park often travel to and win races at big tracks in New York, Florida, and Kentucky.
Delaware Park is also special because it regularly hosts races for Arabian horses. The area has many people who love Arabian horses and equestrian sports. Famous trainers like Michael Matz, who trained Barbaro, and J. Larry Jones, who trained Hard Spun and Eight Belles, have their horses based at Delaware Park.
Sometimes, there aren't many horses in a race at Delaware Park, especially if the weather is bad. This is because other racetracks nearby, like Parx Racing and Laurel Park, are often running races at the same time. During the winter, many horses from Delaware Park go to other tracks or to Florida. In the summer, many horses from Florida come to race at Delaware Park.
You can also watch races from other tracks on big screens at Delaware Park. You can even place bets on these races at the Sports Book.
Big Races at Delaware Park
Some of the most important races held at Delaware Park include:
Grade II:
- Delaware Handicap
Grade III:
- Delaware Oaks
- Kent Stakes
- Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes
The Casino
The Casino at Delaware Park has almost 2,500 slot machines. In 2011, about 8,000 people visited the casino every day.
In 2009, Delaware Park started allowing bets on National Football League games. At first, you could only bet on multiple teams at once. But in 2018, sports betting was expanded. Now, you can bet on single games and many different professional and college sports, like baseball, basketball, and soccer. You can place these bets at the Sports Book, where football games are shown on TV.
Since 2010, the casino also offers live table games. These include popular games like blackjack, craps, poker, and roulette. You can also play keno in different parts of the casino.
Golf Course
Delaware Park has its own 18-hole golf course called White Clay Creek Country Club. It's a great place to play golf and offers different ways to become a member.
See also
- Racino
- List of casinos in Delaware
