| The Atlantic City Race Course is a thoroughbred | | | | Greenwood Racing, announced that the Atlantic City |
| horse race track located in the Mays Landing section | | | | Race Course would increase live racing dates from 4 |
| of Hamilton Township, in Atlantic County, New | | | | days per year, to up to 20 days per year. Many |
| Jersey, United States. The track is located off the | | | | people in the local community believe that between |
| Black Horse Pike (U.S. Route 322) next to the | | | | the renewed interest in ACRC and the website |
| Hamilton Mall. Despite the name, the facility is located | | | | founded by Eric Kalet in 2005, has been largely |
| 14 miles (23 km) from Atlantic City. Over 60 years | | | | responsible for Handel's decision to ramp up horse |
| ago, John B. Kelly realized a dream to establish a | | | | racing at ACRC. [ has been actively involved in |
| thoroughbred race track near the resort town of | | | | expanding racing at the Atlantic City Race Course |
| Atlantic City. With the help of celebrities such as Bob | | | | and created the movement to bring full time racing |
| Hope and Frank Sinatra, Atlantic City Race Course | | | | back to ACRC in 2005. |
| became the place to be seen at | | | | In 2008, racing took place on the following 6 dates: |
| Atlantic City has always been a resort town, and for | | | | April 23-25 and April 30-May 2. The New Jersey |
| much of its history, horse racing has been a popular | | | | Racing Commission has ordered the track to offer 20 |
| American diversion. It is only natural that the two | | | | days of racing in 2009, but whether the track will |
| should come together, and that racing early on | | | | hold the races in 2009 depends on whether it can |
| became part of the Atlantic City experience. Still, | | | | obtain revenue from a casino revenue pot shared by |
| horse racing has had a checkered history in Atlantic | | | | other New Jersey horse-racing tracks. |
| City. | | | | The signs of the eventual fate of the Atlantic City |
| In the United States, horse racing enjoyed several | | | | Race Course literally surround the facility. In every |
| periods of popularity. It was initially a favored sport | | | | direction, development looms and the days of the |
| of the Virginia and Maryland gentry in the colonial | | | | historic oval seem numbered. Atlantic City race meets |
| period, and remained widespread after the nation | | | | where the live racing is the primary focus. Pure racing |
| achieved its independence. Future president Andrew | | | | venues are becoming less typical in the era of |
| Jackson was an ardent horseman-in 1805 he bet | | | | racinos. It is highly unlikely that a horse racing only |
| $5,000, then a tremendous sum, on his own horse. In | | | | facility will be constructed in the foreseeable future. |
| a widely attended Tennessee race, Jackson's horse | | | | ACRC is as pure a race venue as they come. To see |
| won. | | | | it torn down would be a real loss to the local fans |
| Racing declined toward the end of the 19th century, | | | | who really seemed to enjoy the races and to those |
| just as Atlantic City's star was rising. The first try at | | | | who respect the history of thoroughbred racing. |
| bringing an enclosed racetrack in Atlantic County | | | | The success of the current 6 day meet with very |
| started in 1885, with the founding of the Atlantic City | | | | little publicity is evidence that live racing can draw a |
| Turf Organization. It wasn't the best time to build a | | | | crowd at ACRC. The venue is the key. When it goes, |
| new track. Throughout the country, tracks were | | | | so goes a great opportunity for a boutique meet in |
| closing in droves in the 1880s and 1890s, as | | | | the region. Let's hope that it chugs along for another |
| Americans were disgusted with the increasing | | | | season. As long as it's standing a chance remains that |
| influence of professional bookmakers, who often | | | | something constructive might be done to keep the |
| fixed races | | | | wrecking ball away. |
| On November 16, 2006 Hal Handel, CEO of | | | | |