History
William P. Kyne, builder of Bay Meadows, began construction in November 1945, and the track opened on September 14, 1946, as the first U.S. Thoroughbred track with night racing. It was damaged by the 1948 Vanport Flood, and its grandstand burned in April 1970 before being rebuilt.
Closure was announced in March 2019 after the 2018-19 season, simulcasting ended in December 2019, and demolition began in February 2020. An Amazon delivery station opened in the former parking lot in 2021.
Why it matters: It was Oregon's major Thoroughbred track for more than seven decades.
Timeline
- November 20, 1945Construction begins[1]
Construction began under William P. Kyne, who also built Bay Meadows.
- September 14, 1946Track opens[1]
The track opened with more than 10,000 people attending.
- 1948Vanport Flood[1]
The track closed after the Vanport Flood caused about $250,000 in damage.
- April 25, 1970Grandstand fire[1]
A fire destroyed the grandstand; the track was rebuilt and reopened in 1971.
- March 2019Closure announced[1]
Closure was announced after the 2018-19 racing season.
- December 7, 2019Last simulcast day[1]
The last simulcast wagering day was December 7, 2019; the poker room closed December 15.
- February 2020Demolition[1]
Demolition began and the main building was torn down in February 2020.
The site today
| Physical status | Demolished[1] |
|---|---|
| Current use | Slated for redevelopment; an Amazon delivery station opened in the former parking lot in 2021[1] |
| Mapped location | Former venue site |
Street View near the former site · Satellite view (external, current imagery)
Venue facts
| Location | 8102 NE Killingsworth St., Portland, Portland, Oregon[1] |
|---|---|
| Venue type | Racetrack |
| Sports | Horse racing |
| Level | Thoroughbred |
| Opened | September 14, 1946[1] |
| Last used for sports | 2019[1] |
| Demolished | February 2020[1] |
| Physical status | Demolished |
| Owner / operator | Built by William P. Kyne; Magna Entertainment held the racing license from 2001; The Stronach Group from 2011 |
| Closure | Owner announced closure in March 2019; the property was slated for redevelopment. |
Documented details
Sources
- Portland Meadows, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: address, closed, coordinates, current land use, demolished, events, opened
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)
- Ownership: the Wikipedia infobox lists Artemis Entertainment LLC, while the text says The Stronach Group has owned the track since 2011.
See something wrong or missing? Suggest a correction or submit a source.