Jerome Park Racetrack facts for kids
The Jerome Park Racetrack was a famous place for thoroughbred horse racing in America. It operated from 1866 until 1894. This racetrack was located in what was once Westchester County, New York. This area later became part of New York City in 1874.
Jerome Park Racetrack was very important. It was the first home of the Belmont Stakes. This major horse race was held there from 1867 until 1889. Today, the name Jerome Park refers to a neighborhood. This area is next to the Jerome Park Reservoir, Bedford Park and Norwood in the northern part of the Bronx.
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History of Jerome Park Racetrack
How the Racetrack Started
The Jerome Park Racetrack first opened its gates in 1866. It was built in the northwest part of Fordham. This area was then in Westchester County, New York. Today, this location is part of the Bronx. The track was built on land that used to be the Bathgate estate. The American Jockey Club ran the racetrack. Important owners and members included a wealthy businessman named Leonard W. Jerome and August Belmont, Sr.. A fancy clubhouse was built on a hill. This spot, known as "The Bluff," offered great views of the race course.
Getting to the Races
In those days, many people traveled to the racetrack in style. They came by horse, coach, or carriage. Others arrived by train at Fordham Station. This station was located near Fordham Hill and Rose Hill. Later, another train station, Bedford Park Station, connected to the track.
Home of Famous Races
Jerome Park Racetrack hosted the very first Belmont Stakes. This is the oldest of the three major U.S. Triple Crown races. The race was named after August Belmont, Sr.. It continued at Jerome Park until 1890. After that, it moved to the nearby Morris Park Racecourse.
The racetrack also hosted the Champagne Stakes. This race started in 1867 and ran at Jerome Park until 1889. Another important race was the Ladies Handicap. It began in 1868. Today, this race is held at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. It is the oldest "stakes race" in the United States. A stakes race is a special race where owners pay a fee to enter their horses. This particular race is only for female horses, called fillies and mares.
Polo at the Track
In the spring of 1876, a group of people who loved polo started the Westchester Polo Club. They met at Jerome Park Racetrack. On May 13 of that year, the track hosted a special event. It was the first outdoor polo match ever played in the United States.
The End of the Racetrack
The Jerome Park Racetrack closed its doors on October 4, 1894. The land was needed for a new project. It was turned into the Jerome Park Reservoir. This reservoir was built to help supply water to New York City.
Important Horse Races at Jerome Park
These are some of the major horse races that took place at Jerome Park Racetrack:
- Belmont Stakes
- Champagne Stakes
- Juvenile Stakes
- Ladies Handicap
What Happened to the Land Later?
The land where Jerome Park Racetrack once stood was used for new things. The western half of the track became the Jerome Park Reservoir. The eastern half of the land was later used for many different buildings and parks:
- Kingsbridge Armory
- Walton High School
- Lehman College
- The Bronx High School of Science
- Jerome Park – a park managed by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
- DeWitt Clinton High School
- High School of American Studies
- Jerome Yard
- Concourse Yard
- High Pumping Station
- Harris Field – another park from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
- Tracey Towers, and Scott Tower – apartment buildings built over the Jerome Yard.
In the 1920s, people thought about building a Museum of the Peaceful Arts on the eastern half of the land.
Other Old New York Racetracks
Jerome Park Racetrack was not the only horse racing track that closed down in New York. Here are some others:
- Brighton Beach Race Course
- Gravesend Race Track
- Jamaica Race Course
- Morris Park Racecourse
- Roosevelt Raceway
- Sheepshead Bay Race Track
- Union Course
