Introduction
Dog racing has a long history in San Antonio, Texas. The first greyhound racing track opened in the city in 1947. Known as Brackenridge Park, it drew large crowds eager to watch and wager on the fast-paced sport. Brackenridge remained popular for over three decades before closing in 1984.
In 1986, the city saw the opening of Gulf Greyhound Park. Located in La Vernia, Gulf Greyhound became one of the largest dog racing facilities in Texas, hosting races and betting on thoroughbred, quarter horse, and greyhound races. At its peak, Gulf Greyhound employed over 400 people and generated significant tax revenue for the state. However, like many other dog tracks across the country, Gulf Greyhound started experiencing declining attendance and revenue in the 1990s and 2000s.
Today, Gulf Greyhound Park remains one of the only major dog racing tracks still operating in Texas. However, due to changing public attitudes and new competition from casinos and other forms of gambling, the future of commercial dog racing in San Antonio appears uncertain. While races still run at Gulf Greyhound, it operates on a much smaller scale than during its heyday.
Major Dog Racing Facilities
At one time, San Antonio was home to several major dog racing facilities. The most prominent were:
Gulf Greyhound Park – Opened in 1988 and located in La Marque, near Galveston. It was one of the largest dog racing facilities in Texas, featuring a 5,000 seat grandstand. Gulf Greyhound held over 200 live racing performances annually, with races every weekend. The track closed permanently in 2020 after years of financial losses. (Source)
Valley Race Park – Located in Harlingen, this track operated from 1983 to 2017 before closing due to low attendance and competition from other gambling venues. It featured 550 slot machines and a 5/8th mile racetrack. (Source)
Gulf Coast Racing – Opened in Galveston in 1990 with a 5/16th mile track. It closed in 1997 due to financial issues. In its heyday, Gulf Coast held matinee and evening racing programs and offered full service dining. (Source)
Breeds and Racing Styles
The most common breeds raced in San Antonio are greyhounds, whippets, and Italian greyhounds. Greyhounds are the largest and fastest of the racing breeds, capable of reaching speeds up to 45 mph. They excel at sprint distances from 250-550 yards (Source).
Whippets are medium-sized sighthounds that originated as hunting dogs but are now commonly raced at mid-distances from 350-700 yards. Their top speeds can reach up to 35 mph (Source).
The petite Italian greyhound is a miniature greyhound standing less than 15 inches tall. They are bred for racing short sprint distances up to 250 yards, with top speeds around 25 mph (Source).
Common racing distances are broken into sprints (up to 550 yards), mid-distances (350-700 yards), and marathons (over 700 yards). Sprint races test a dog’s explosive acceleration while mid-distance and marathon races evaluate endurance and strategy (Source).
Major Races and Events
The largest annual dog racing event in San Antonio is Dachtoberfest, held every October in Helotes, TX. Dachtoberfest features wiener dog races and is hosted by Diamond Dog Resort. The event began in 2015 and has grown to attract over 5,000 attendees each year. Prizes are given to the top three finishers in each heat. Many participants dress their dogs up in creative costumes for the races. In 2022, Dachtoberfest marked the return of live races after being canceled in 2020 and held virtually in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another popular annual event is the wiener dog races held at Retama Park Race Track in Selma, TX. This yearly tradition began in 2007 and draws crowds of around 2,500. Costume and betting contests take place along with the races. Proceeds benefit local animal shelters, with over $350,000 donated since the event’s inception. The fastest dogs can reach speeds up to 30 mph on Retama’s 220-yard custom-built track.
Top Dog Training Center in Helotes hosts multiple Fast CAT tests each year sanctioned by the American Kennel Club. Dogs run 100 yards down a straight track chasing a lure. The Fast CAT (Coursing Ability Test) is open to all breeds and measures each dog’s time. Titles are earned based on point totals calculated from a dog’s fastest runs.
Industry Controversies
Dog racing has faced significant criticism and controversy regarding animal welfare. Many animal rights groups argue that the training and racing of greyhounds amounts to animal cruelty. Concerns include dogs being confined for long periods, physical stresses from racing, and potential injuries. According to the ASPCA, over 20,000 greyhound puppies and dogs are killed each year in the industry because they aren’t fast enough for racing. Additionally, PETA claims that dogs are kept in small cages for up to 23 hours per day.
In response to welfare concerns, animal rights groups like GREY2K USA Worldwide have campaigned extensively to ban dog racing. Their efforts have led to the closure of over 200 dog racing tracks since 1991. As of 2020, only 3 active dog racing facilities remain in the United States, down from over 50 in 2001 (https://www.sporcle.com/blog/2018/07/why-do-we-tell-sled-dogs-to-mush/). Thanks to activist pressure and declining interest in the sport, dog racing has been declining for decades. However, groups like GREY2K continue to advocate for a complete ban on dog racing in the remaining states where it still operates.
Economic Impact
Dog racing has had a significant economic impact in San Antonio and the surrounding area. The industry generates revenue and creates jobs at the racing facilities, kennels, and related businesses. In its heyday, dog racing employed hundreds of people in San Antonio. While the number of races and facilities has declined over the years, dog racing still provides an economic boost to the city.
In addition to direct employment, dog racing generates tax revenue. The state collects taxes on admissions, concessions, and most significantly, on betting and wagers placed on races. This tax revenue helps fund a variety of public services. According to one analysis of Florida’s racing industry, taxes on dog racing once provided $3 million annually for the state’s General Revenue Fund. While the overall economic impact has diminished as interest in greyhound racing declined, it still serves as a source of jobs, business activity, and tax funds in San Antonio.
Prominent Figures
San Antonio has seen some influential owners, trainers, and breeders involved in the local dog racing scene over the years. Some of the top names include:
Annie Aguirre – A longtime owner and breeder based in San Antonio, Aguirre has raised multiple champion racing greyhounds at her kennel. She has owned dogs that raced and won at both Gulf Greyhound Park and Valley Race Park (https://scottydogreports.com/).
James “Jimmy” Richards – Richards has been training racing dogs in the San Antonio area for over 20 years. He frequently ranks among the top five trainers at Gulf Greyhound Park for wins and earnings, training greyhounds that have won major stakes races (https://www.mysanantonio.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/Gulf-Greyhound-Park-one-of-the-largest-dog-15377486.php).
The Prominent Figures involved in San Antonio’s dog racing scene have helped shape the local racing landscape and community over the years through their ownership, training, and breeding efforts.
The Fan Experience
Attending a live dog race is an exciting and entertaining experience for fans in the San Antonio area. The main venue where fans can catch the action is Retama Park in Selma, which holds regular greyhound racing. According to the San Antonio Greyhound Park website, the park opened in 1994 and features a 5/16 mile racetrack, climate-controlled grandstands, parking for over 1,500 cars, simulcast racing, and various dining options such as the Winner’s Circle restaurant.
Fans can view the races from the grandstand or book a table in the restaurant area. There is an outdoor picnic area for patrons who want to bring their own food. Major racing events like the All American Futurity attract large crowds eager to see top dogs like Flyin West and Runnin Rich compete. The atmosphere is lively and energetic. In between races, there are opportunities to place bets, visit concessions, play games, listen to live music, and participate in contests and giveaways.
In addition to greyhound racing, Retama Park also hosts special novelty racing events like the popular Dachtoberfest wiener dog races. These low-key community events allow fans to see adorable dachshunds dressed up in creative costumes as they scamper down the track. There is usually live music, food trucks, contests, and family-friendly entertainment. For fans who want an amusing, light-hearted racing experience, these novelty races are a highlight.
Though the greyhound racing industry has faced challenges in recent years, fans still enjoy the tradition, excitement, and entertainment of attending the races in San Antonio. With amenities like dining, betting, contests, and special events, a day at the track remains a popular local pastime.
The Future of Dog Racing
Dog racing has been on a steady decline in popularity and profitability for decades. As public perception shifted on the treatment of racing greyhounds, many tracks around the country have closed. Major dog racing states like Florida have voted to ban commercial greyhound racing entirely by 2020 [1]. West Virginia remains one of the few states where commercial dog racing still operates, but even here the industry faces an uncertain future.
The Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack in Wheeling, West Virginia is currently the state’s only greyhound racetrack after the closure of the Tri-State Greyhound Park in Cross Lanes in 2019 [2]. While state officials aim to keep the struggling industry afloat for now, major challenges remain. Declining gambling revenue, a lack of interest from younger generations, and ongoing ethical concerns around racing dog welfare all pose threats to the viability of greyhound racing in West Virginia long-term.
However, opportunities exist for reform and adaptation. Transitioning operations to focus more on greyhound adoption and care could allow facilities to remain open while moving away from commercial racing. Promoting higher welfare standards for racing dogs may also help improve public perception. As the future of the sport remains uncertain, a willingness to evolve will likely determine if dog racing remains a part of West Virginia’s gaming industry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dog racing has had a long but controversial history in San Antonio. While major facilities like Pan American Park and Valley Race Park once drew big crowds, dog racing has declined over the past few decades due to ethical concerns. However, it still maintains a small but dedicated following in the area.
Key points covered in this article include the major dog racing facilities that operated in San Antonio, the economic impact of the sport, industry controversies around animal welfare, and the experiences of fans who still enjoy watching greyhound races. While the future of dog racing remains uncertain, it’s clear this activity has left its mark on San Antonio’s culture and pastimes.
Though dog racing is not as popular as it once was, there are still opportunities for fans to watch races at venues like Gulf Greyhound Park. However, the long-term viability and ethics of greyhound racing continue to be debated. Overall, dog racing has seen its heyday come and go in San Antonio, but still clings to a small dedicated following seeking to preserve this historical pastime.