Jamaica Race Course facts for kids
Jamaica Race Course, c.1907
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| Location | Jamaica, Queens, New York City, New York United States |
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| Owned by | Metropolitan Jockey Club |
| Date opened | April 1903 |
| Date closed | August 1959 |
| Course type | Flat |
| Notable races | Bed O' Roses Handicap Continental Handicap Daingerfield Handicap Excelsior Handicap Frizette Stakes Jamaica Handicap Paumonok Handicap Pierrepont Handicap Prioress Stakes Remsen Handicap Sheepshead Bay Handicap Southampton Handicap Wood Memorial Stakes |
The Jamaica Race Course, also known as the Jamaica Racetrack, was a famous place in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. Here, amazing Thoroughbred horses would race. The Metropolitan Jockey Club ran this exciting facility.
Contents
The Story of Jamaica Race Course
Opening Day and Early Leaders
The racetrack opened on April 27, 1903. It was about 1 mile (1.6 km) long. The very first race held there was called the Excelsior Handicap. Eugene D. Wood helped start the race course. He was also its first president. After he passed away in 1924, Dr. Edward P. Kilroe became the new president. A famous race, the Wood Memorial Stakes, is named in honor of Eugene Wood.
Famous Horses and Big Crowds
Many famous people and horses visited Jamaica Race Course. A legendary horse trainer named Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons started his career here. On April 19, 1952, a very famous horse named Native Dancer won his first race at this track. The biggest crowd ever at the race course was on Memorial Day in 1945. A huge 64,679 people came to watch the races!
Popular Races Held Here
The Jamaica Race Course was home to many exciting races. Some of these included the Prioress Stakes, Frizette Stakes, and Excelsior Handicap. Other popular races were the Wood Memorial Stakes and the Jamaica Handicap. These races brought many fans to the track.
The End of an Era
In 1955, a group called the Greater New York Association took over the race course. They also managed other tracks like Aqueduct Racetrack and Belmont Park. They decided to make big improvements to Aqueduct Racetrack. While Aqueduct was being fixed, Jamaica Race Course hosted its races.
After Aqueduct was ready, Jamaica Race Course closed its doors. This happened on August 1, 1959. The track was torn down the next year. Today, a neighborhood called Rochdale Village stands where the race course used to be. The racetrack was also served by the nearby Locust Manor station for the Long Island Rail Road.
Gallery
- Jamaica Racecourse 1903
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