Spending an evening at the dog race track has been a long-time pastime for many who have lived in the Phoenix area the last 5 decades. But the last race will take place tomorrow night, as the Phoenix Greyhound Park will close its doors forever.
It first opened near Sky Harbor Airport at 40th Street and Washington in 1954 and became the "gambling place" of choice for many Phoenicians in the 50''s, 60's and 70's. But with more and more legal Indian Gaming becoming available around the Phoenix area over the last 20 years, the track saw a continual downturn in attendance, lowering the amount of betting revenues and of course profits. The business realized a 56% decrease in revenues over just the last 10 years.
Over one hundred employees will lose their jobs and most of the racing Greyhounds will be made available for adoption (for adpotion information, go to www.adopt-a-greyhound.adoptapet.com. The city of Phoenix owns the land that holds the race track, about 60 acres, but no immediate plans have been made for its use. There also has been no news as to the future of the popular "Park and Swap" that is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays each weekend which occupies the track's parking lot.
With the closure of the Phoenix Greyhound Park, only 2 greyhound racing facilities remain open in the state - Apache Greyhound Park in Apache Junction, and the Tucson Greyhound Park.
If you want to take part in some Phoenix history, head out to the Phoenix Greyhound park tomorrow night, and hear the announcer say for the last time, "Here comes the Rabbit!"
Comments
I'm a big fan of greyhound racing. Sad to see Phoenix close.
Hopefully the track I play the most, Wheeling Downs in West Virginia, will never get to this point. They have a casino there so it probably won't.
Darvin Moon the guy who finished second in the World Series of Poker won his sea in a satellite tourney at Wheeling Downs.
Wheeling has the best greyhounds in the country. That's why it's a popular track.
So Long Phoenix. I will miss you.
I live in MA
Wonderland last live race was 9-11
Raynham last live race is 12-26
No race tracks in the NE area have greyhound racing.
I think in the US there are only 25 race tracks.
That have live racing of greyhounds.
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