April 1, 2019 – Courtesy of BloodHorse
Portland Meadows plans to close according to the Oregon Racing Commission executive director, Jack McGrail, meaning the meet that wrapped up in early February will be the last for the track that opened 74 years ago.
The track’s closing was first reported by Portland Monthly March 29. The publication noted that a permit application has been filed for initial development of the nearly 64-acre property in Portland, Ore.
Portland Meadows is owned by The Stronach Group. At its most recent meet—37 race days from Sept. 30-Feb. 5—the track offered average daily purses of $52,971.
“Bottom line is, we fully expect the property to be sold at some point and it looks like it is going forward from what they’ve told us,” McGrail said, adding the closure has been on the horizon since August. McGrail did not have additional details on the sale. Officials from the track and The Stronach Group could not be reached.
Construction on Portland Meadows began Nov. 20, 1945 under the direction of William P. Kyne, who is also the founder of the former Bay Meadows Racecourse. Portland Meadows opened Sept. 14, 1946 with more than 10,000 people attending. According to the Portland Meadows media guide, the track was the first Thoroughbred track to offer night racing.
In 2001, Magna Entertainment, which would evolve into The Stronach Group, purchased the Portland Meadows racing license.
Some of the Portland Meadows dates will be picked up by Grants Pass. On March 27 the Oregon Racing Commission approved a license application from TMB Racing in click to continue reading.
Interested in the Portland Meadows Historical Timeline? Click to read.