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Widely regarded
as one of North America's most picturesque race tracks, Fort
Erie is also filled with racing traditions. Great Canadian
champions have raced at the "Fort", providing race
enthusiasts with thrills and life long memories. From its
beginnings in 1897, Fort Erie Race Track has always been a
special place. Its beauty has been well documented with aesthetics
second to none.
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BEGINNINGS
On
November 21, 1896, the Fort Erie Jockey Club set the wheels
in motion for thoroughbred racing at the border oval, with
President John Hood breaking ground.
This is
one of the actual invitations sent out in 1896, asking selected
guests to attend the Ground Breaking Ceremonies for the construction
of the Fort Erie Race Track.
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OPENING DAY
Wednesday, June
16, 1897. A beautiful day for racing, as Fort Erie Race Track
runs its inaugural races. The dream had become a reality.
The first race at the "Fort" was won by Ellesmere,
guided home by a jockey named Sullivan. The placing judge
ruled that Wordsworth grabbed second, with Miss Lillian in
third. The winner of that initial race received $300 while
second and third were awarded $75 and $25 respectively.

CHANGING
SEASONS
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As
racing took hold at Fort Erie in 1897, the border oval
sported summer and autumn meets. For 34 days, thoroughbreds
danced down the stretch under the summer sun, then a 16-day
fall meet began September 6th. |
In 1918 the Millar
Law was passed, declaring taxes due every 14 days. The strict
law thus limited the length of race meets to a two-week time
frame.
When the Ontario
Jockey Club took over the operation, racing at Fort Erie was
staged in the spring and summer. The prestigious "A"
meets soon followed as Woodbine shut down for a month each
summer and Canada's best headed south to the "Fort".
Currently Fort
Erie offers racing, May through October.
continue...
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