Dover Downs
Dover Downs Racetrack, located in Dover, Delaware, was constructed and opened in 1968-69 as a dual-purpose facility for two sports, horse racing and motorsports.
The first motorsports event at Dover Downs was a NASCAR Winston Cup race (the Mason-Dixon 300) that was won by one of the all-time great racers in the sport, Richard Petty. The first two years, 1969 and 1970, a thoroughbred meet was followed by a harness meet. The first harness racing card was held on Nov. 19, 1969. Dover Downs harness racing prospered in the early years, with a record for attendance (5,971) and on-track handle ($515,177) set on Feb. 4, 1973. However, in the 1970s, the influence of extended racing competition from other states, Atlantic City casinos and state lotteries took its toll. In 1971, Dover Downs expanded its Winston Cup schedule to two races per year.
In 2004, Dover Downs separated into Dover Downs Entertainment, consisting of slots and harness racing with the motorsports division of Dover International Speedway.
The most significant aspect of Dover Downs growth off the racetrack occurred on Dec. 29, 1995, when doors opened to a state-of-the-art gaming facility with 500 video lottery (slot) machines. By the end of 1999, that number had grown to the Delaware state maximum of 2,000 machines and 2,500 by 2004. Proceeds from slots profits are split among the state, the horse racing purses and the track. It was this subsequent growth in purses that allowed Dover Downs to take on a major status as one of the top harness racing facilities in America. In terms of highest daily average in purses, Dover Downs now ranks in the top three in North America alongside New Jersey’s Meadowlands and Toronto, Canada’s Woodbine Entertainment Groups’ (WEG) Woodbine and Mohawk tracks.
Buoyed by simulcast racing and the ability of bettors at Dover Downs to wager on races at major tracks across the country, Dover Downs harness has grown in popularity. The track is the only raceway to program 15 races, six days a week from November through April. Major events boast more than a $4-million stakes schedule highlighted by the track’s signature event, the $425,000 (estimated) Progress Pace, the Matron Stakes, the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund and each Spring Classic Series. On April 1, 2002, Dover Downs had major name changes.
Dover Downs Gaming and Entertainment, Inc. has furthered its growth with the addition of the four-star Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center. The stately facility features the Rollins Center, an outstanding entertainment area that rivals anything in Atlantic City or Las Vegas. As well, the hotel has top-notch restaurants; for example, Michelle’s is already considered one of the finest restaurants in the Mid-Atlantic United States.
Dover Downs Track Facts
| “¢ Track Opened | : | November 10, 1969 |
Record Business
| “¢ Handle | : | $1,227,207 - January 30, 2001 |
