The Florida racetrack of Seminole Downs first hosted racing on 21st April 1967, offering thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing. The racetrack was a 5 furlong oval dirt surface with separate 3 ½ furlong and 7 furlong chutes, each sharing a 168 metre home straight. An ambitious programme of racing was forecast but, in the end, there was insufficient interest and the programme ceased 12 days prior to its completion. By 1970 the track had been taken over by a new administrative team who once again offered a programme of thoroughbred racing and, once again, the interest was not there. The new management had extended the track to a 6 furlong oval, with 4 ½ furlong and 8 furlong chutes, and improved facilities so that the grandstand could seat 2,500, while the Clubhouse could welcome 450 people. Within 3 years it moved over to harness racing in 1973 and lasted for just two more years before closing on 3rd September 1975. The track was then used for greyhound racing, but even that was not viable and by 2008 the grandstand was demolished and the ground covered by a housing estate. |
