Delaware Park (race track)

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Delaware Park (also known as DelPark) is a horse racing track, casino, and golf course in Wilmington, Delaware, United States which opened in 1936.

DelPark is the only thoroughbred horse racing track in Delaware. Races are run from April to November.

Race purses have increased in recent years owing to increasing casino revenues. With the United States national average horse racing purse of $20,762^[1]^[2] in 2005, the average 2005 purse for DelPark of $30,650 has helped to attract more talented contenders and more first-time competitors to the venue for the 2005 and 2006 racing seasons. The 2005 average purse for DelPark placed Delaware fifth among states of the United States; the first rank for average purse was held by New York at $41,229 per race.

Although many famous faces grace the grounds of Delaware Park on a daily basis, undoubtedly the most famous belongs to the man known simply as "Hot Dog.” Hot Dog is the dean of Delaware Park and oversees the operation of the track on a daily basis, although he is not employed by the institution and serves the track on a voluntary basis. Under Hot Dog’s watchful eye, the Delaware Park physical plant has undergone a total transformation and has significantly improved its facilities, which previously had been dilapidated.

Although rumors spread that he had passed away and been cremated, Chester Pete, a.k.a. Pete the Greek, is very much alive and roams the floors daily as he distributes the upcoming race day entries -overnights- to all in the facility. A lanky, comical figure in appearance, Chester Pete is the clown prince of the racetrack and knows all regulars on a first-name basis. Chester Pete serves at the request of track management.

[edit] See also

Racino

[edit] Notes

^ Dollar ($) amounts in this article are in United States dollars.
^ The national average purse for 2005 is according to The Jockey Club.

[edit] References

Tresolini, Kevin. "Big purses, better horses turn DelPark into galloping success", The News Journal, May 5, 2006, pp. A1, A9. — News Journal article identifier: wil24658247