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230 Catherine Street
Fort Erie, Ontario L2A 5N9
(905)991-8012
Fort Erie Race Track Slots is about 20 miles from Casino Niagara in Niagara Falls, Ontario, just across the river from Buffalo, New York in the U.S.A.
Like many race tracks, attendance and revenue at the 103 year-old track was down. Regarded as one of North America's most picturesque race tracks, the track received approval from the Ontario Government to add slot machines to its operation. Since the casino opened in 1999, attendance at the race track has increased as well as the overall profits of both operations.
The Ontario government was determined to keep racing alive in Ontario so they issued gaming licenses to the race tracks. The installation of VLT's at Assiniboia Downs, Mountaineer Park in Delaware and Prairie Meadows has kept those tracks alive by adding slot machines.
Fort Erie Racetracks centerpiece is filled with flowers and scenic lakes which hold numerous memorable moments, including an unexpected event of 1961. In front of a crowd of 14,106 racing fans, Puss n Boots decided to make a detour while leading at the top of the stretch. Puss n Boots veered inward towards the centerpiece making his way to the infield and jumped into the lake sending his Jockey Ronnie Behrens flying. Every year the track holds the Puss n Boots Stakes to honor his swim. In 1996, Achilles Dust was well on his way to victory, with only 100-yards to go, he veered inwards and decided to take a bite out of Rhemus's Result causing him to lose the race.
Fort Erie Race Track held its Ground Breaking Ceremonies on November 21, 1896, when John Hood was President of the Fort Erie Jockey Club. The first race at the "Fort" was held on Wednesday, June 16, 1897.
E. P. Taylor was the founder of the Ontario Jockey Club. In 1956, he built the $14 million Woodbine Race Track in Ontario, developed the Canadian Triple Crown of Racing in 1959, founded the Windfields Farms in Maryland and Oshawa, Ontario. He was responsible for .. 48 champions and a world-record 351 stakes winners. E. P. Taylor passed away in 1989.
Northern Dancer, Mr. Taylor's pride and joy was the undisputed "King of Canadian racing." As a two- year old, Northern Dancer won seven of his nine starts for total earnings of over $90,000 in 1963. In 1964 he beat Hill Rose at Church Hill Downs, setting a Kentucky Derby record becoming the first Canadian-bred horse to win the "Run for the Roses." He won the Preakness, but finished third in his effort to win the Triple Crown. He suffered a bowed tendon, ending his race career.
In 1991, Dance Smartly, a two-year-old filly won the Prince of Wales Stakes. She became the first filly to win the Queen's Plate, Prince of Wales and the Breeder's Stakes which earned her the "Canadian Triple Crown." During her 17 race career, Dance Smartly posted earnings of $3,263,836 from 12 victories in her two and a half years of racing.
Track records set:
Track records: Main track: 2 miles 70 yards was set by Regal Admiral on August 25, 1974, in 3:35.1 minutes. Captain Charisma set the 1 13/16 mile record on August 12, 1984, in 3:09.2 minutes. Brave Zappa the 1 3/4 mile record on July 9, 1984, in 2:59.0 minutes. On the Turf Course: 1 7/8 miles was won by Medlaw on September 30, 1985, in 3:16.1 minutes with 123 pounds of weights. Ahead of the Best set the 1 3/4 mile record on Sept. 10, 1991, in 2:56.9 minutes.
Fort Erie History:
1896 - October 2, Fort Erie Jockey Club Limited incorporated; 1897 - June 16, Fort Erie opened summer meet of 34 days, no Sunday racing. Sept. 6, 16 day Autumn meet began for a total of 50 racing days; 1898 - June 24, Fort Erie Jockey Club turned the operation over to the Fort Erie Racing Association; 1903 - Fort Erie Racing Association surrended its charter; 1906 - Track acquired by the Fort Erie Jockey Club. 1908 - Niagara Racing Association received charter and assumed control; 1946 - Received government approval to race 25 days; 1952 - June 27, Ontario Jockey Club purchased the track; 1953 - $3.5 million spent to refurbish the track, build a clubhouse, infield lakes, new horse barns, expand parking lots; 1959 - First Prince of Wales Stakes race; 1965 - Grandstand expanded 14,000 square feet increasing seating to 7,250; 1968 -- July 27, Racing on Sunday legalized; 1979 - Computerized wagering system installed; 1982 - Sept. 11, Inter-track wagering from Woodbine (Toronto) began; 1983 - One day betting record set, $1,914,722.00; 1991 - Fort Erie Horsepeoples Association formed to save the track; 1994 - Live Racing Enhancement Program began; 1995 - Oct. 28, Wagers at the track and Teletheatres set a new record of $1,934,407 for the 101 day season; total wagers at the track set a new record of $103,101,179.
Additional Racetrack Slots:
Hiawatha, 1730 London Rd., Sarnia, ON (519) 542-0134 -- Mohawk, 9430 Guelph Line, Campbellville, ON (905) 854-0453 -- Rideau Carleton, 4837 Albion Rd., Gloucester, ON (613) 822-8668 -- Sudbury, 400 Bonin Rd., Chelmsford, ON (705) 855-7164 -- Western Fair, 900 King St., London, ON (519) 672-5394 --Windsor, 5555 Ojibway Pkwy., Windsor, ON (519) 250-3600.
