The Liberty Bell Racecourse and Park was a racecourse in the North-East area of the city of Philadelphia. The track first opened on 8th June 1963 as a harness racing track, but it was extended to a circumference of 1.6 kilometres in 1968 when thoroughbred racing was made legal in the state. The 8 furlong outer thoroughbred course had a 256 metre home straight, with additional 6 furlong and 10 furlongs chutes added later, while the inner 5 furlong floodlit harness course had a 189 metre home straight. It boasted impressive facilities, including a grandstand and Clubhouse with the combined capacity to seat 15,000 people. Furthermore, it was able to stable 1,141 horses at any one time. The highlight of the racing season was the running of The Colonel. The track continued to operate until a final meeting on 18th August 1985, but was superseded by Keystone Race Track in 1974, which later became Philadelphia Park racecourse, and in 2009 became Parx Racecourse and casino. The site of the former racecourse was ultimately sold for development and is now covered by the Philadelphia Mills shopping centre.

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