Atlantic City Race Course - a Glorious Past

The Atlantic City Race Course is a thoroughbredCity Race Course would increase live racing dates
horse race track located in the Mays Landingfrom 4 days per year, to up to 20 days per
section of Hamilton Township, in Atlantic County,year. Many people in the local community believe
New Jersey, United States. The track is locatedthat between the renewed interest in ACRC and
off the Black Horse Pike (U.S. Route 322) next tothe website founded by Eric Kalet in 2005, has
the Hamilton Mall. Despite the name, the facility isbeen largely responsible for Handel's decision to
located 14 miles (23 km) from Atlantic City. Overramp up horse racing at ACRC. [ has been
60 years ago, John B. Kelly realized a dream toactively involved in expanding racing at the
establish a thoroughbred race track near theAtlantic City Race Course and created the
resort town of Atlantic City. With the help ofmovement to bring full time racing back to ACRC
celebrities such as Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra,in 2005.
Atlantic City Race Course became the place to beIn 2008, racing took place on the following 6
seen atdates: April 23-25 and April 30-May 2. The New
Atlantic City has always been a resort town, andJersey Racing Commission has ordered the track
for much of its history, horse racing has been ato offer 20 days of racing in 2009, but whether
popular American diversion. It is only natural thatthe track will hold the races in 2009 depends on
the two should come together, and that racingwhether it can obtain revenue from a casino
early on became part of the Atlantic Cityrevenue pot shared by other New Jersey
experience. Still, horse racing has had a checkeredhorse-racing tracks.
history in Atlantic City.The signs of the eventual fate of the Atlantic
In the United States, horse racing enjoyed severalCity Race Course literally surround the facility. In
periods of popularity. It was initially a favoredevery direction, development looms and the days
sport of the Virginia and Maryland gentry in theof the historic oval seem numbered. Atlantic City
colonial period, and remained widespread after therace meets where the live racing is the primary
nation achieved its independence. Future presidentfocus. Pure racing venues are becoming less
Andrew Jackson was an ardent horseman—intypical in the era of racinos. It is highly unlikely
1805 he bet $5,000, then a tremendous sum, onthat a horse racing only facility will be constructed
his own horse. In a widely attended Tennesseein the foreseeable future. ACRC is as pure a race
race, Jackson's horse won.venue as they come. To see it torn down would
Racing declined toward the end of the 19thbe a real loss to the local fans who really seemed
century, just as Atlantic City's star was rising. Theto enjoy the races and to those who respect the
first try at bringing an enclosed racetrack inhistory of thoroughbred racing.
Atlantic County started in 1885, with the foundingThe success of the current 6 day meet with
of the Atlantic City Turf Organization. It wasn'tvery little publicity is evidence that live racing can
the best time to build a new track. Throughoutdraw a crowd at ACRC. The venue is the key.
the country, tracks were closing in droves in theWhen it goes, so goes a great opportunity for a
1880s and 1890s, as Americans were disgustedboutique meet in the region. Let's hope that it
with the increasing influence of professionalchugs along for another season. As long as it's
bookmakers, who often fixed racesstanding a chance remains that something
On November 16, 2006 Hal Handel, CEO ofconstructive might be done to keep the wrecking
Greenwood Racing, announced that the Atlanticball away.