washington park race track washington park race track popular horse racing venue chicago metropolitan area locations existence situated current location community area chicago illinois united_states located immediately south current community area track later relocated illinois original track accompanying social draws late 19th century modern developments changes law led decline prime track especially important social gathering place opening day day ranked horse racing highest jockey club designed hosted social gathering led general early leader track club track closed reopened according contemporary state local laws gambling eventually waned popularity social importance years numerous famous horses appeared track 19th century notable horses time emperor norfolk raced 20th century notable race included triple crown winners citation notable horses included native dancer won legs triple crown won races track addition notable graded stakes races run track stars stripes turf handicap addition notable match races held track original track group led general banded create selecting location 61st club opened operated valued following year claiming midwest track track long tradition constructing special facilities sporting events public assembly chicago parks time fashionable social elite maintain close ties equestrian sports owned members track completed designed built short hole club members golf course infield track major races june track sponsored purse ranked highest country washington park race track organized general served president 2nd richest american race 19th century race season important social calendar dates residents elite late 19th century neighborhoods organized number related public activities outside track grounds including annual washington park race track opening day parade horse racing draw track race staged track gasoline powered automobile electrically powered automobile time electric cars country gasoline powered ones race chicago time gasoline powered car beat electric powered race decline closure original track track ran difficulties elected mayor chicago began gambling reform campaign included goal closing race tracks chicago campaign eventually resulted closure washington park race track track reopened remained open state illinois banned gambling stopped horse racing time prestige club declined independently reform movement modern golf courses drew members locations residential elite members community area club important stables track torn currently form portion new track second washington park race track opened south suburban new washington park race track located west street outside village bounds built spur line directly chicago newly relocated track relocated track continued famous popular attraction inaugural meeting organizers july new track constructed construction boom united_states 1920s included new large constructed decade constructed time nearby chicago florida purchased washington park race track owned death long involved business adopted daughter took management new track run washington moved northwest suburban racing venues previously shifted chicago area tracks example shifted major races result curtailed racing world war significant race run new track grade stakes washington park handicap year olds held continued held moved continues held present day commemorates new track hosted number special races famous horses day august match race held distance mile purse won lengths lead changed times race august hosted match race distance mile quarter purse won lengths having led entire race race attended attracted reporters country went named horse year spite popular events track scandals allegations example manager arlington confessed having illinois governor gain premium racing dates washington park race track burned night february putting track business property sold redeveloped commercial residential use horses raced washington park emperor norfolk won american derby won park stakes won won year won triple crown won stakes setting new world mile mark native dancer won won washington park handicap set record race stood won stakes races run began ran old new washington park handicap began moved stakes inaugurated race year olds race moved chicago race track merged create stars ran second arlington handicap ran queen began ran isle handicap
Washington Park Race Track