The following racetracks have closed since 2000. In this same period, only three new tracks have opened: Pinnacle in Michigan – which, as you’ll see, closed after only two years – Presque Isle in Pennsylvania, and Running Aces in Minnesota. It must be noted, however, that both Presque and Running are racinos, meaning they never could have opened without taxpayer subsidization. Clearly, the demand for horseracing is going in one direction. Progress.
(Two other tracks, not listed below, were for all intents and purposes simply replaced after they closed: Ohio’s Beulah Park closed in 2014; its license was then picked up by Mahoning Valley, which opened that same year. Kentucky’s Thunder Ridge closed in 2017; its license was eventually transferred to Oak Grove, which opened in 2019. Of course, both Mahoning and Oak Grove are racinos.)
The shuttered tracks (43, and counting):
Pompano Park, Florida, closed 2022 after 58 years of abusing horses
Union Fair, Maine, closed 2022 after 120 years of abusing horses
Arlington Park, Illinois, closed 2021 after 94 years of abusing horses
Calder Race Course, Florida, closed 2020 after 49 years of abusing horses
Scarborough Downs, Maine, closed 2020 after 70 years of abusing horses
Bluegrass Downs, Kentucky, closed 2019 after 35 years of abusing horses
Portland Meadows, Oregon, closed 2019 after 73 years of abusing horses
Suffolk Downs, Massachusetts, closed 2019 after 84 years of abusing horses
Hazel Park, Michigan, closed 2018 after 69 years of abusing horses
Hialeah Park, Florida, closed 2016 after 94 years of abusing horses
Les Bois Park, Idaho, closed 2016 after 46 years of abusing horses
Atlantic City Race Course, New Jersey, closed 2015 after 69 years of abusing horses
Balmoral Park, Illinois, closed 2015 after 89 years of abusing horses
Maywood Park, Illinois, closed 2015 after 69 years of abusing horses
Sports Creek Raceway, Michigan, closed 2015 after 28 years of abusing horses
Hollywood Park, California, closed 2013 after 75 years of abusing horses
Mount Pleasant Meadows, Michigan, closed 2013 after 28 years of abusing horses
Atokad Downs, Nebraska, closed 2011 after 55 years of abusing horses
Eureka Downs, Kansas, closed 2011 after 108 years of abusing horses
Northwest Montana Fair, closed 2011 after unknown number of years abusing horses
Yellowstone Downs, Montana, closed 2011 after 65 years of abusing horses
Blue Ribbon Downs, Oklahoma, closed 2010 after 47 years of abusing horses
Dayton Days, Washington, closed 2010 after 122 years of abusing horses
Manor Downs, Texas, closed 2010 after 20 years of abusing horses
Pinnacle Race Course, Michigan, closed 2010 after 2 years of abusing horses
Waitsburg, Washington, closed 2010 after 99 years of abusing horses
Walla Walla, Washington, closed 2010 after 144 years of abusing horses
Western Montana Fair, closed 2010 after 96 years of abusing horses
Anthony Downs, Kansas, closed 2009 after 105 years of abusing horses
Rockingham Park, New Hampshire, closed 2009 after 103 years of abusing horses
Solano Race Track, California, closed 2009 after 58 years of abusing horses
Bay Meadows, California, closed 2008 after 74 years of abusing horses
Jackson Harness Raceway, Michigan, closed 2008 after 60 years of abusing horses
Great Lakes Downs, Michigan, closed 2007 after 18 years of abusing horses
Rochester Fair, New Hampshire, closed 2007 after 73 years of abusing horses
Woodlands Racecourse, Kansas, closed 2007 after 17 years of abusing horses
Northampton Fair, Massachusetts, closed 2005 after 62 years of abusing horses
Saginaw Valley Downs, Michigan, closed 2005 after 25 years of abusing horses
Sportsman’s Park, Illinois, closed 2002 after 70 years of abusing horses
Brockton Fair, Massachusetts, closed 2001 after 60 years of abusing horses
Garden State Park Racetrack, New Jersey, closed 2001 after 59 years of abusing horses
Playfair Race Course, Washington, closed 2001 after 100 years of abusing horses
Lone Oak Park, Oregon, closed 2000 after 67 years of abusing horses