The racecourse of Charles Town is in the state of West Virginia which held its inaugural meeting on 2nd December 1933 and, at one stage, used to hold 70 race days annually, usually split between a winter season and a summer season. It was a very popular track in the early, boasting crowds numbering as many as 11,000 in the past. After undergoing a period of uncertainty in the early 1950's it was purchased by some Baltimore businessmen who set about the task of making it a modern, attractive course. They were prepared to take risks and in 1965 introduced night racing under floodlights and later introduced an all-weather track. Facilities at the racecourse include a grandstand with the capacity to seat 3,500, and a Clubhouse with the potential to seat 2,500. The track was threatened with closure in 1995, although interest was rekindled and it did open with renewed vigour once the finance from slot machines could boost track income. Today the 6 furlong oval track has a 4 ½ furlong chute and 200 metre home straight, with the highlight of the racing year being the West Virginia Breeders Classic over 9 furlongs which was first run in 1987. |
