Opened
|
July 18, 1942
|
Last Race Date
|
May 3, 2001
|
Racing Type
|
Thoroughbred
|
Abbreviation
|
GS
|
Purse Value Index
|
9
|
Signature Race
|
Jersey Derby (G III)
|
- 07/18/1942 Thoroughbred racing returns to New Jersey after forty year absence.
- 08/08/1963 A father and daughter are killed in freak escalator accident.
- 05/05/1964 Twin double wagering is introduced at Garden State Park.
- 05/30/1967 A Jersey Derby crowd of 51,077 set the all time attendance record.
- 05/30/1967 Heavily favored Dr. Fager impedes horses is placed last in Jersey Derby.
- 05/13/1969 Five horses die in barn fire.
- 10/22/1970 Another barn fire at Garden State claims the life of thirty five horses.
- 04/14/1977 Fire breaks out during races, facility burns to ground, three perish.
- 04/01/1985 Dubbed the "Taj Mahal" the New Garden State Park opens under the lights.
- 09/01/1985 Harness racing is held for the first time at Garden State.
- 12/06/1986 Harness racing is suspended after 1986 season.
- 05/26/1986 Fans bet $4,754,673 to establish record handle.
- 05/25/1998 Last Jersey Derby is run at Garden State Park.
- 05/03/2001 Only 2,000 on hand to see Peg Rushton, Nick Santagata up, take final photo.
- 03/09/2004 Robert Brennan's great "Phoenix" is reduced to rubble.
- 09/17/2012 Ironically a row of condos on the Garden State site burn down.