Jamaica Race Course facts for kids
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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 Daingerfield Handicap Excelsior Handicap Frizette Stakes Jamaica Handicap Paumonok Handicap Pierrepont Handicap Prioress Stakes Remsen Handicap Sheepshead Bay Handicap Wood Memorial Stakes |
Jamaica Race Course, also known as the Jamaica Racetrack, was a popular place in Jamaica, Queens, New York City, where thoroughbred horses raced. It was run by a group called the Metropolitan Jockey Club.
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A Look Back at Jamaica Race Course
Opening Day and Early Years
The Jamaica Race Course opened its doors on April 27, 1903. The track was about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) long. On its very first day, a big race called the Excelsior Handicap took place.
One of the people who helped start the race course was Eugene D. Wood. He was a founder and also owned a lot of the company. He became the first president of the race course. After he passed away in 1924, Dr. Edward P. Kilroe took over as president. A famous race, the Wood Memorial Stakes, is named in honor of Eugene Wood.
Famous Horses and Big Crowds
Many famous horses and trainers were part of Jamaica Race Course's history. A legendary horse trainer named Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons was one of the first trainers to work there.
A very famous horse named Native Dancer had his first winning race at Jamaica on April 19, 1952. The race course also set a record for how many people attended. On Memorial Day in 1945, an amazing 64,679 fans came to watch the races!
Jamaica Race Course was home to many important races over the years. Some of these included the Prioress Stakes, the Frizette Stakes, and the Jamaica Handicap.
The End of an Era
In 1955, a new group called the Greater New York Association took over Jamaica Race Course. They also managed other famous tracks like Aqueduct Racetrack and Belmont Park.
The group decided to make big improvements to Aqueduct Racetrack, which was nearby. While Aqueduct was being fixed up, Jamaica Race Course hosted its races for four years. After the renovations were done, Jamaica Race Course was closed down.
The last race day at Jamaica Race Course was August 1, 1959. The track was torn down the next year. Today, a large housing area called Rochdale Village stands where the race course used to be. The Long Island Rail Road's Locust Manor station was right next to the track, making it easy for people to visit.
Gallery
- Jamaica Racecourse 1903
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