The starting gate will never open again at Hazel Park Raceway.
The last thoroughbred horse racing track in Michigan is closing down.
Dwindling interest in horse racing, and the opening of gambling casino’s, has killed horse racing in Michigan and in other states.
Hazel Park Raceway stopped allowing horses onto the track yesterday, and employees are being dismissed today.
Hazel Park raceway opened in 1949.
The track property has been used for storage of new vehicles in recent years. And a new manufacturing facility has been built on what used to be the sprawling parking lot.
Northville Downs is now the only horse racing track in Michigan.