Track Facts, Specifications & Map
Northlands Park is a dual-breed racetrack in Edmonton, Alberta — owned and operated by Northlands — a non-profit, community service organization. It was founded in 1879, before the official incorporation of the city of Edmonton, or the province of Alberta.
The first races in Edmonton were run in 1882 on a beaten track that, were it still around, would be sitting in the downtown core. In 1900, the track was moved from its home in the storied Rossdale Flats to its present site where racing continues today.
Northlands’ predescessor — the Edmonton Exhibition Association — took managerial control of the track’s racing activities in 1957. With the completion of a new grandstand and racing surface in 1951, and construction of a new racetrack in Winnipeg, the jewel of Western Canada racing, The Canadian Derby, was relocated to Edmonton. The track surface was extended 17 years later to 5/8 of a mile — and The Derby’s home was permanantly solidified.
The 2012 renewal of The Canadian Derby was the 83rd running — and was won by Toccetive (main cover photo) — owned by Lyle and Phylis Farkash, trained by Joan Petrowski and ridden to victory by Jorge Carreno.
Some other facts about the Northlands Park track:
- 5/8 mile race track, composed of sand and clay
- Stretch length is 527 feet
- Most common distances are: 6 furlong, 6.5 furlong, 1 mile, 11/16 mile
- Overnight money: $95,000 per day
- Jockey mount: $60
- Lasix administration: $47
- Hitching fee of $120 paid to each horse finishing 6th or worse in all races.
