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Portland Meadows

Portland Meadows
PortlandMeadowsLogo.png
Location 1001 N Schmeer Rd,
Portland, Oregon
Coordinates 45°35′29″N 122°40′22″W / 45.59139°N 122.67278°W / 45.59139; -122.67278Coordinates: 45°35′29″N 122°40′22″W / 45.59139°N 122.67278°W / 45.59139; -122.67278
Owned by The Stronach Group
Date opened 1946
Course type Dirt
Notable races Portland Mile
Official website

Portland Meadows is an American horse racing venue in Portland, Oregon, owned by The Stronach Group since July 3, 2011 and previously owned by MI Developments Inc. (MID) 2001. Built by William P. Kyne, who also built Bay Meadows Racetrack in San Mateo, California, the facility opened on September 14, 1946.

Beginning July 15, 2012, Portland Meadows will run the first ever Summer Meet at the track, racing Wednesday and Friday nights, and Sunday afternoons.

The track hosts both American Quarter Horse racing and Thoroughbred horse races. Over the years, Portland Meadows has been the site of numerous outdoor music concerts and other forms of entertainment. The national high school cross country running championship, the Nike Cross Nationals, have been held at Portland Meadows since 2004.

The grounds are in Hayden Meadows near the Columbia River and are 16 feet (4.9 m) above sea-level.

In 1945, construction began of Portland Meadows on November 20, under the direction of William P. Kyne. Kyne is also known as the founder of Bay Meadows Racecourse and he was largely responsible for the passage of the 1933 law which legalized pari-mutuel wagering in California. On September 14, 1946, Portland Meadows opened with over 10,000 people in attendance. Portland Meadows made history as the first thoroughbred track in the nation to offer night-time racing. This was made possible by use of a lighting system designed by General Electric which has been said has enough power "to light a four-lane superhighway from Portland to Salem, a distance of 40 miles."

In 1948, the track was closed due to the Vanport Flood. This flood destroyed the town of Vanport City, Oregon, and resulted in roughly $250,000 worth of damage to the track.


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Wikipedia

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