The Hazel Park racecourse is situated in the city of Detroit in the state of Michigan. It has a track of 5/8ths of a mile round and once held only Harness racing, with its most prestigious event being the William C Connors Memorial for 3 year olds. From 1949 until 1984 it held thoroughbred racing and its principal race then was the Michigan Derby. The track began life in the early 1940s as an auto car track when its owners purchased 140 acres of landfill site and built the track. However, they soon ran into financial difficulties and sold the track, only for it then to be developed into a successful horse racing venue. It held its inaugural meeting on 17th August 1949 and 4 years later it held its first harness race meeting. On 7th July 1984 thoroughbred racing ceased and it was run entirely as a harness race track. Tragedy struck on 15th June 1987 when a fire broke out in a stable block and 15 horses lost their lives. In 2014 thoroughbred racing returned to the track and today the track offers live thoroughbred racing on Friday and Saturday evenings from May through to September. However, there is also a year round opportunity to wager simulcast. The track benefits from a large grandstand with the capacity to seat 9,200, and excellent dining facilities in the Clubhouse where the seating capacity is 3,000. Currently, in 2015, the track is owned by Herbert Tyner and Bernard Hartman and consists of a 5 furlong oval track, with separate 6 ½ furlong and 9 furlong chutes, sharing a 187 metre home straight.

I am grateful to our American Racing correspondent Richard Gauthier for the rare scan of the badge shown below.

William C Connors Memorial winners since 1997
1997 The William C Connors Memorial was won by Ultimate Banker trained by Ronald Norris and ridden by Kevin Wallis
1998 The William C Connors Memorial was won by Handoverdabredfred trained by Michael Wyse and ridden by Sam Noble
1999 The William C Connors Memorial was won by Davanti trained by Doug J Ackerman and ridden by Doug R Ackerman
2000 The William C Connors Memorial was won by American Native trained by Doug J Ackerman and ridden by Doug R Ackerman
2001 The William C Connors Memorial was won by Fulfilled Dreams trained by Luca Derrico and ridden by Peter Wrenn
2002 The William C Connors Memorial was won by Speed Rail trained by Rod Allen and ridden by Greg Wright
2003 The William C Connors Memorial was won by Macs Crown K trained by Charlie Norris and ridden by Charlie Norris
2004 The William C Connors Memorial was won by Coventry trained by Doug J Ackerman and ridden by Doug R Ackerman.    
2008 The William C Connors Memorial was won by Smoking Gun trained by Harald Lunde and ridden by Arthur McIlmurray
2009 The William C Connors Memorial was won by Photoforwin trained by Rick Beinhauer and ridden by Rick Beinhauer
2011 The William C Connors Memorial was won by Soulful Delight trained by Robert Young and ridden by Darrell Wright
2012 The William C Connors Memorial was won by Prayer Session trained by Bobby Bower and ridden by Dave Magee