About Hazel Park Raceway

Hazel Park Raceway is located in southeastern Michigan, just north of Detroit. The first harness meet was held in the Spring of 1953, making 2008 it's 59th Season. Known as the pioneer track for being the first 5/8ths mile track in the country, Hazel Park Raceway has attracted some of the nation's top drivers, trainers and equines since its inception. The track was a dual-breed facility from 1949 through 1984; and has hosted harness racing exclusively since 1985.

The track's record for live handle and attendance occurred on July 12, 1975 when 15,372 patrons wagered $1,425,478. The record $2.00 payoff at any harness track was recorded at Hazel Park on September 17, 1988 when the "Twin-Super" wager (selecting in exact order, the first four finishers in two races) paid $1,243,053.

During the past several years, Hazel Park has hosted the prestigous $150,000 Wm. C Connors Memorial 3 year old open trot and the Night of Champions on which the state's elite 2 & 3 year olds compete for $1,000,000 in purse money. The track's nightly overnight events have an industry-wide reputation as being some of the most competitive racing to be found anywhere. Anchored by Michigan's strong foundation in harness racing and buoyed by a superlative influx of racing stables from southern Ontario to California, Florida and the Midwest. Racing at Hazel Park has always been considered among the nation's finest.

In 1996, state legislation permitted full-card Simulcasting enabling the track to virtually be open for business year round seven days a week, noon till midnight. Now, in addition to the outstanding live racing, patrons may view and wager on all major harness and thoroughbred tracks across the country. The Triple Crown, Breeder's Cup and Breeder's Crown, Little Brown Jug and The Hambletonian are all now standard fare. On Saturday May 3 2008 Hazel Park attracted over 14,000 race fans to wager and watch te Kentucky Derby via simulcast.

The Bridge Lounge Several recent improvements have been added for customer and horsemen convenience including: a passing lane, a casual park-setting picnic area, several banks of 42" plasma TVs, the very popular Top of the Park Grill, the Bridge Lounge, & the Homestretch Bar. Action on the Apron on Friday nights and other special discounts continue to attract new fans to our recently constructed, state of the art Grandstand area.