Garden State Park Racetrack

03/01/2026

03/01/2026

Today in 2001: Final Race Run at Garden State Park Racetrack

On May 3, 2001, the Garden State Park Racetrack in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, held its final horse race, bringing an end to nearly 60 years of racing history at one of the East Coast’s most iconic tracks. Once considered one of the finest horse racing venues in the nation, Garden State Park had hosted legendary thoroughbreds, drawn massive crowds, and helped define South Jersey’s sporting culture from the postwar boom through the late 20th century.

Originally opened in 1942, the track quickly became a major attraction and was known for its elegant architecture and upscale atmosphere. A devastating fire in 1977 destroyed the original grandstand, but the venue was rebuilt and reopened in the mid-1980s with modern facilities. Despite these efforts, racing attendance and betting revenue declined in the 1990s as competition grew from casinos and other forms of entertainment.

By the time the last horse crossed the finish line in 2001, Garden State Park had become a symbol of a bygone era. The land was later sold for redevelopment, transforming into a complex of housing, shopping, and commercial space. But for generations of New Jerseyans, the track remains a cherished memory of excitement, glamour, and community in the heart of Cherry Hill.

Learn More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_State_Park

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03/01/2026

This is an original 1956 photo taken of the first race at Garden State Park whereby all three horses seem to be in perfect unison as they turn for home.

The horses are from left to right: Pas Bon and Walter Blum; Elliott’s Doll and Charles Burr; and Aldo Kid with Joe Regalbuto.*

In the upper left hand side is Eljaka and Norman Cox in the saddle.

The finish of the race was: Aldo Kid first, Eljaka second, and Pas Bon third.

*the last jockey’s name many be missing a letter as the type is smeared.

03/01/2026

Garden State Racetrack, circa 1950

03/01/2026

On May 3, 2001, the final horse race was run at the Garden State Park Racetrack in Cherry Hill, closing the gates on nearly six decades of New Jersey racing history. Once hailed as one of the most elegant and popular tracks in the country, Garden State Park had drawn thousands of fans since its 1942 opening, only to be devastated by fire in 1977 and rebuilt in the 1980s. Despite efforts to modernize, the track struggled with declining attendance and rising competition. The final race marked the end of an era, and the site has since been redeveloped—but for many, it remains a nostalgic symbol of South Jersey’s golden age of horse racing.
Learn More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_State_Park_Racetrack

03/01/2026

Fine dining at the Garden State Racetrack