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The Red Mile race track is one of the oldest and most respected harness racing tracks
in the United States.  It is located in Lexington, Kentucky. Horse racing has
been
an important part of Lexington since the city’s earliest days and remains
one of the city’s most beloved traditions.
The Red Mile race track takes its name from the clay soil of its track. It has a Spring
Meet that usually starts from late April to June; a brief Fall Meet that is
typically held in September; and a Grand Circuit Meet that is normally held
in September and October.
The Red Mile race track’s signature event is the Kentucky Futurity, a stakes race
for three-year old trotters. It has been held annually at the track since 1893.
It is the third jewel in US harness racing’s trotting Triple Crown. The
two other big races are the Hambletonian (held at Meadowlands) and the Yonkers
Trot (held at Yonkers Raceway).
Due to the Red Mile race track’s prominent stature in harness racing, it also regularly
hosts important stakes events each year. Among these are:
- The Nadia Lobell
- The John Simpson Stakes
- All Divisions of The Kentucky Sires Stakes
- Kentucky Sired Summer Championships
- Lexington Breeders Classics
- Bluegrass Stakes
- International Stallion
- The Tattersalls Pace
| • Track
Opened |
: |
September
28, 1875 |
| • Speed
Rating |
: |
1:58 |
| • Length
of Homestretch |
: |
850' |
| • Width
of Homestretch |
: |
115' |
| • Starters
Behind the Gate |
: |
9 |
| • Hubrail |
: |
No |
| • "Open" Stretch |
: |
No |
| • Grandstand
Capacity |
: |
6,000 |
| • Clubhouse
Capacity |
: |
500 |
| • Parking
Capacity |
: |
3,000 |
| • Handle |
: |
$1,347,472
(on September 27, 2002) |
| • Attendance |
: |
24,082 (on
May 30, 1988) |
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The track opened on September 28. |
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The Kentucky Futurity,
the Red Mile race track’s signature event, was
first
held. The winner of this auspicious race was Oro Wilkes. |
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The Hambletonian was held at The Red Mile race track since it was rained-out
at
the designated track in Syracuse, New York. |
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Another rain-out
at Syracuse forced the Hambletonian to once again be held at the Red
Mile race track. |
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On September
22, Governor Skipper, driven by John Chapman, set the world record for
pacing on a half-mile track (1:56.1) en route to winning the Little Brown
Jug in straight heats at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Ohio. |
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The Tattersalls
and Red Mile facilities in Lexington, Kentucky were sold to five standard
bred breeders dedicated to the revitalization of the race track and sales
pavilion. A major renovation, nicknamed "The Red Mile Renaissance” began
and will be ongoing for the next few years. |
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