BALMORAL PARK

26435 S. Dixie Highway
Crete, IL 60417
(708) 672-1414
http://www.balmoralpark.com

Balmoral Park Racing Dates
January 1 - December 31

Racetrack Information
Main track (dirt): 1 mile oval
Length of stretch from last turn to finish line: 1,360 feet
Width of stretch: 80 feet
Composition: Kentucky bluegrass

Track History and Fun Facts: In 1925, Col. Matt J. Winn, manager of Churchill Downs, came to Chicago to look over the Illinois racing situation. Winn returned to Kentucky where he talked to business associates at the Kentucky Jockey Club. They agreed to buy 1,050 acres just south of Crete and built the new track named "Lincoln Fields". The large oval was surrounded by Kentucky bluegrass which Winn imported from Kentucky. Spring-fed lakes were built in the infield. This was strictly a thoroughbred racetrack until 1942 when the venue was shut down because of World War II restrictions. Races continued as meetings were rescheduled to Hawthorne Park from 1943 to 1947 and in 1954 Lincoln Fields was brought to life again and the races commenced. In 1955, Benjamin Lindheimer, who was the President of the Washington Racetrack since 1935, put together a Jockey Club called the Balmoral Jockey Club. The club purchased Lincoln Fields and renamed it Balmoral Park. By 1967 the track was converted to a half-mile track that mostly ran harness races. 1991 celebrated the year that Balmoral Park had exclusively created a full harness racing facility.