Archive photos: Horse racing at Rillito Park
- Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
- Updated
Rillito Race Track opened in 1943 on Rukin Jelksβ stud farm. It is considered the birthplace of modern, formalized Quarter Horse racing. Features like the "photo finish" and straightway chute system were introduced at Rillito Park.
Thoroughbred racing began at the track in 1953. The track has been on the chopping block on and off since the 1980s, but the fans keep coming back. The old stables were demolished to make way for soccer fields. But the track, infield and grand stands come back to life each January.
Horse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedJ. Rukin Jelks
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
UpdatedHorse racing at Rillito Park
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Rick Wiley
Photo editor
As featured on
Richard Gamez, 67, had raced at the track since 1976.
Richard Gamez, 66, had retired from the sport, but returned to racing at the Tucson track after the death of his wife.
The Rillito Park Foundation decided Thursday to form a panel made up of experts in and outside of the racing industry to take a serious look at what Rillito can do to make it better.
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