History
The site at 10 Mile and Dequindre roads was first built for auto racing, but it became a horse track instead, starting Thoroughbred meets in 1949 and harness racing in 1953. From 1985 to 2014 only harness racing was run there; Thoroughbreds returned briefly from 2014.
With casino competition squeezing Michigan racing, the owners announced the closure on April 5, 2018, just before the season. The property went to Ashley Capital, demolition followed later in 2018, and an Amazon warehouse opened there in 2021.
Why it matters: For nearly 70 years it was one of the Detroit area's principal racetracks.
Timeline
- August 17, 1949First Thoroughbred meet[1]
The first Thoroughbred meeting began.
- 1953
The first harness meet drew about 15,000 people.
- June 1987Barn fire[1]
A fire in the harness stable killed 15 horses.
- April 5, 2018Closure announced[2]
The track announced it was closing, citing financial problems.
- 2021Amazon facility opens[1]
An Amazon distribution center opened on the site.
The site today
| Physical status | Site redeveloped[1] |
|---|---|
| Current use | Amazon distribution center (opened 2021)[1] |
| Mapped location | Former venue site |
Street View near the former site · Satellite view (external, current imagery)
Venue facts
| Location | Southwest corner of 10 Mile Road and Dequindre Road, Hazel Park, Michigan[1] |
|---|---|
| Venue type | Racetrack |
| Sports | Horse racing |
| Level | Thoroughbred, Harness |
| Opened | August 17, 1949[1] |
| Last used for sports | April 2018[1,2] |
| Demolished | 2018[1] |
| Physical status | Site redeveloped |
| Final capacity | 3,500[1] |
| Owner / operator | Hartman & Tyner; sold to Ashley Capital in 2018 |
| Closure | Financial losses tied to changes in the gaming industry; the property was sold for industrial redevelopment. |
Sources
- Hazel Park Raceway, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: address, capacity, closed, coordinates, current land use, demolished, events, opened
- Hazel Park Raceway closes after nearly 70 years of horse racing, Detroit Metro Times. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: closed, events
Research confidence
Some facts on this page rely on a single source or are still being corroborated. Treat specific dates and figures with care. Last reviewed 2026-10-19.
Where sources disagree (1)
- Metro Times describes the 1953 harness meet as the track's inaugural race, while Wikipedia dates the first Thoroughbred meet to August 1949.
See something wrong or missing? Suggest a correction or submit a source.