Rillito Race Track- Tucson Arizona- Localwiki Https://localwiki.org/tucson/rillito Racetrack
Rillito Race Track is located at 4502 North First Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85718 and sits on 90 acres. The Rillito Race Track was built on Rukin Jelk's Stud Farm, one of the founders of modern Quarter Horse Racing. The Rillito Park Foundation manages many aspects of the racetrack including the Jelks Stud Farm house which in and of itself is a historic site, eleven full-size soccer fields and facilities near the track that are used for a year round farmers' market. The foundation is dedicated to preserving and future development of the racetrack. In January of 2017 the Pima County Board of Supervisors approved a four-year extension of racing through June 2021.
Rillito Park - Credit: Robert Bourland 
Rillito Race Track - Credit: Robert Bourland 
Rillito Race Track bleachers - Credit: Robert Bourland
History
J. Rukin Jelks from Woodruff County Arkansas came to study at the University of Arizona to earn his degree in animal husbandry in 1922. He married Della Leona Jeffries and made their home here in Arizona. In the late thirties he purchased land along the Rillito River with his new wife Francis Barry and along with is friend Fred Knipe, designed J. Rukin Jelks Stud Farm on five acres.
1940 - Construction of Rillito Race Track at the J. Rukin Jelks Stud Farm
American Quarter Horse Historical Marker - Credit: Robert Bourland 1943 - Opened and called the Rillito Race Track and considered the birthplace of modern, formalized Quarter Horse racing and the photo finish. Along with his friend Melvin H. Haskell, they created a track in his backyard for him to race his personal horses.
1953 - Jelks sold the Rillito Race Track to John and Mary Shoemaker
2012 - Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
2017 - Many donors stepped up for the 2017 winter session held between February and March. Thoroughbred racing and Quarter Horse racing were both held.
2018 - The Rillito Race Track will be celebrating 75 years.
Rillito Race Track Views
Original race track included a 'chute' straightaway and later with a five-eighth-mile oval added in 1953, Thoroughbred racing was brought to the track.
Rillito Race Track Art
Rillito Race Track Memorial
Rillito Race Track Memorial Garden - Credit: Robert Bourland
Rillito Race Track 2018
Rillito will race Saturdays and Sundays, along with two Friday programs, winter 2018 starting in February through March.
Gates open at 10 a.m. and close after the last Simulcast race.
General Admission is $5 and Clubhouse Admission is $10.
No outside food or beverages are allowed in. Please no pets.
Jockeys, Valets and Officials only - Credit: Robert Bourland
Contact Information
Mailing Address: Physical Address: (520) RILLITO (745-5486)
P.O. Box 64145
Tucson, AZ 85718
4502 North First Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85718
[email protected]
References
Rillito Park Foundation - http://rillitoparkfoundation.org/history/
Rillito Race Track - http://rillitoracetrack.com/
Rillito Race Track Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rillitoracetrack/
Go Historic Article - http://gohistoric.com/265434-rillito-race-track-j-rukin-jelks-stud-farm-historic-site/timeline
Jelks Stud Farm - http://www.jelksstudfarm.org/
Daily Racing Forum Article - http://www.drf.com/news/rillito-park-given-new-lease-life-opens-14-day-meet
Tucson Weekly article by Rebecca Noble - April 07 2016 - https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/day-at-the-track/Content?oid=6091632
Rillito Race Track- Tucson Arizona- Localwiki Https://localwiki.org/tucson/rillito Racetrack
Source: https://localwiki.org/tucson/Rillito_Race_Track
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