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.
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.
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
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.
E.P.
TAYLOR
E.P. Taylor
played a major role in the development of the Fort Erie Race Track.
He developed the Canadian Triple Crown of Racing in 1959, with the
second leg of the series, the Prince of Wales Stakes, being the
Fort's featured race each season. Canadian thoroughbred racing is
now recognized internationally, thanks in large part to the efforts
of this one man.
NORTHERN
DANCER
Widely
regarded as the undisputed "King of Canadian
racing", Northern Dancer's brief but storied career was
launched with his maiden victory at Fort Erie Race Track.
Race three on Friday, August 2, 1963, saw the beginning of
Northern Dancer's impressive rookie season. Beating seven
2-year-olds for a purse of $2,100, Northern Dancer tipped
his handlers to get ready for a fun ride. As a 2-year-old,
the Canadian-bred colt won seven of his nine starts
including the Summer Stakes at the Fort, earning over
$90,000.
DANCE
SMARTLY
Dance
Smartly's career began with two straight victories but the
string was snapped with a second in the 1990 Ontario
Debutante Stakes at Fort Erie. In 1991, Dance Smartly went
undefeated. Her campaign began at Woodbine in May with a
victory in the Starshoot Stakes followed by a score in the
Selene Stakes. With Pat Day in the irons, Dance Smartly
whipped fillies in the Canadian Oaks, then romped to an
eight length win in the Queen's Plate defeating the best
three-year-olds in the country.
Flawless performances
in the Prince of Wales and the Breeders' Stakes earned her the
Canadian Triple Crown trophy. She was the first filly in history to
sweep all three races. After dancing away form the competitors in
the Molson Million, the "Queen" was off to Churchill Downs
and completed a perfect season by winning the Breeders' Cup Distaff.
Her accomplishments earned her Sovereign Awards as top Canadian
3-year-old filly and Horse of the Year, plus an Eclipse Award as
North America's best 3-year-old filly.
Where We Race.
Pinnacle Race Track
A World-Class Venue Including
320 acre site
One-mile dirt track | 7/8-mile turf track
Created by world-renowned track designer Joe King
60,000 square foot clubhouse, with private suites and boxes
12,000 square foot corporate pavilion | with 8,000 square foot covered
patio
4,000 seat grandstand
Multi simulcast pari-mutuel wagering locations
Multiple food and beverage locations
30 barns | 1200 horse stalls
100 room grooms quarters | Jockey quarters
3,000 parking spaces
access from Sibley and Vining, 1.5 miles east of I-275
Phase 1 to be
completed July 2008: track, corporate pavilion, 600-800 horse
stalls
Phase 2 to be
completed 2009: club house and grand stand, 1200 horse stalls,
ancillary facilities
Emerald Forest THOROUGHBREDS 
