Jerome Park Racetrack facts for kids

Jerome Park Racetrack, 1868

Coaches arriving at the racetrack, 1886

The Jerome Park Racetrack was a famous place where thoroughbred horse races happened from 1866 to 1894. It was in a part of Westchester County, New York that later became part of the Bronx in 1874. This racetrack was special because it hosted the very first Belmont Stakes race, which is one of the biggest horse races in the United States. Today, the area is known as the Jerome Park neighborhood, near the Jerome Park Reservoir in the northern Bronx.

History of the Racetrack

The Jerome Park Racetrack opened in 1866. It was built in an area that was then Westchester County, New York, but is now part of the Bronx, New York. The racetrack was built on land that used to be a large estate.

Important people like Leonard Jerome and August Belmont, Sr. helped create and run the racetrack. They were part of a group called the American Jockey Club. A fancy clubhouse was built on a small hill, giving people a great view of the races.

Getting to the Races

Back then, many people traveled to the racetrack by horse, carriage, or coach. Some also came by train to the Fordham Station. Later, another train station, Bedford Park Station, also connected to the area.

Famous Races Held Here

Jerome Park Racetrack was home to some very important horse races:

• The first-ever Belmont Stakes race was held here in 1867. This race is named after August Belmont, Sr. and is one of the three "Triple Crown" races today. The Belmont Stakes stayed at Jerome Park until 1889.
• The Champagne Stakes also started at Jerome Park in 1867 and was held there until 1889.
• The Ladies Handicap began in 1868. This race is special because it's only for female horses (called fillies and mares). It's the oldest race in the U.S. just for female horses. Today, it's run at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens.

Polo at the Racetrack

In 1876, a group of people who loved polo started the Westchester Polo Club at Jerome Park Racetrack. On May 13, 1876, the very first outdoor polo match in the United States took place right here!

Why the Racetrack Closed

The Jerome Park Racetrack closed its doors on October 4, 1894. The land was needed for a big project: building the Jerome Park Reservoir. This reservoir was important for supplying water to New York City.

What's There Now?

A map of Jerome Park in 1957, showing the reservoir and surrounding areas.

A plan from 1927 showing a proposed Museum of the Peaceful Arts on the eastern half of Jerome Park.

The western part of the old racetrack became the Jerome Park Reservoir. The eastern part of the land is now home to many important places, including:

• Kingsbridge Armory
• Walton High School
• Lehman College
• The Bronx High School of Science
• Jerome Park (a city park)
• DeWitt Clinton High School
• High School of American Studies
• Train yards like Jerome Yard and Concourse Yard
• High Pumping Station
• Harris Field (another city park)
• Large apartment buildings like Tracey Towers and Scott Tower, built over the Jerome Yard.

In the 1920s, people even thought about building a Museum of the Peaceful Arts on the eastern half of the land.

Images for kids

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  Jerome Park Racetrack, 1868

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  Coaches at the racetrack, 1886

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  Bromley map of Jerome Park in 1957

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  Eastern half of Jerome Park with a proposed Museum of the Peaceful Arts, 1927