Derby Lane Greyhound Track
Encyclopedia
Derby Lane Greyhound Track is a racino
located in St. Petersburg, Florida
. The track opened in 1925, after it was purchased from the Weaver family, constructed, and returned to the Wiever family, where ownership has been maintained since. The track offers dogs to run on 5/16 mile, and 3/8 mile runs (550 and 660 yards). The tracks surface contains regulated and maintained white sand, along with other products like rubber grains and dirt are contained, mostly for the safety of the greyhound
s. A fountain and small manmade lake can be found in the middle of the infield. A small island of 5 palm trees on sand is in the middle of the lake, connected by a narrow bridge the short distance back to the mainly grassy infield. There is a path which weaves through the middle of the infield, but it is not used very often, most often it is the photoshoot location for winners of major stakes races. Behind that winners circle there is a small warehouse type of building used for toteboard, lure, and gate electronic operations.
The lure is a standard inside rail lure called 'Hareson Hare'. The announcer
positions on the track are held by 2 people, however only 1 will work the day's races. Evening performances are on every day but Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and doubleheader (afternoon and evening performances) races are held on Wednesday and Saturday. TV monitors display tote information, weights and post positions, races, results, replays, and photos. The winner's circle is only used for major and stakes races, and weights and post positions are announced and filmed on track. The padock is only used for dressing and weighing the dogs.
The track consists of three levels. All 3 offer concessions
, the top 2 offering dine-in options, and 1 containing a poker
room. The padock is right of the track and can be viewed by a short walk from the finish line. Serviced and self serviced totes are available on every level. The most notable of tote areas being the one on track level, where the words DERBY LANE are spelled out in neon
partnered with a greyhounds stride across the sign. The track has a liquor license
.
The track is the oldest greyhound racing
track in the country, and (according to the SP Times and track relations officials) is one of the few still making money in Florida
. Due to competition around the area which includes casino boats, casino
s, and horse tracks, Derby Lane has lost some qualities gradually such as a gift shop
(lost 2009) a bar (lost 2008) and several other cost cutting mesures have been taken around the track. Turnout, though declining, was boosted by the closing of the second nearest dog track: Tampa Bay Greyhound Track. Derby Lane's closest competitor greyhound track still operating is the Sarasota Kennel Club.
Alternate gaming options: The track offers simulcast
and pari-mutuel wagering on major dog and horse racing, when the participating tracks/ events live performance schedule is applicable. Derby Lane also is home to the Derby Lane Poker Room, where several standard card game
s are offered. The track is classified as a racino, but no slots, or Vegas Style games have been approved for the location.
Racino
A racino is a combined race track and casino. In some cases, the gambling is limited to slot machines, but many locations are beginning to include table games such as blackjack, poker, and roulette....
located in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
. The track opened in 1925, after it was purchased from the Weaver family, constructed, and returned to the Wiever family, where ownership has been maintained since. The track offers dogs to run on 5/16 mile, and 3/8 mile runs (550 and 660 yards). The tracks surface contains regulated and maintained white sand, along with other products like rubber grains and dirt are contained, mostly for the safety of the greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
s. A fountain and small manmade lake can be found in the middle of the infield. A small island of 5 palm trees on sand is in the middle of the lake, connected by a narrow bridge the short distance back to the mainly grassy infield. There is a path which weaves through the middle of the infield, but it is not used very often, most often it is the photoshoot location for winners of major stakes races. Behind that winners circle there is a small warehouse type of building used for toteboard, lure, and gate electronic operations.
The lure is a standard inside rail lure called 'Hareson Hare'. The announcer
Announcer
An announcer is a presenter who makes "announcements" in an audio medium or a physical location.-Television and other media:Some announcers work in television production , radio or filmmaking, usually providing narrations, news updates, station identification, or an introduction of a product in...
positions on the track are held by 2 people, however only 1 will work the day's races. Evening performances are on every day but Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and doubleheader (afternoon and evening performances) races are held on Wednesday and Saturday. TV monitors display tote information, weights and post positions, races, results, replays, and photos. The winner's circle is only used for major and stakes races, and weights and post positions are announced and filmed on track. The padock is only used for dressing and weighing the dogs.
The track consists of three levels. All 3 offer concessions
Concession stand
A concession stand , snack kiosk or snack bar is the term used to refer to a place where patrons can purchase snacks or food at a cinema, fair, stadium, or other entertainment venue. Some events or venues contract out the right to sell food to third parties...
, the top 2 offering dine-in options, and 1 containing a poker
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
room. The padock is right of the track and can be viewed by a short walk from the finish line. Serviced and self serviced totes are available on every level. The most notable of tote areas being the one on track level, where the words DERBY LANE are spelled out in neon
Neon
Neon is the chemical element that has the symbol Ne and an atomic number of 10. Although a very common element in the universe, it is rare on Earth. A colorless, inert noble gas under standard conditions, neon gives a distinct reddish-orange glow when used in either low-voltage neon glow lamps or...
partnered with a greyhounds stride across the sign. The track has a liquor license
Liquor license
-Alberta:In Alberta, liquor licences are issued by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.-United Kingdom:Throughout the United Kingdom, the sale of alcohol is restricted—pubs, restaurants, shops and other premises must be licensed by the local authority. The individual responsible for the...
.
The track is the oldest greyhound racing
Greyhound racing
Greyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
track in the country, and (according to the SP Times and track relations officials) is one of the few still making money in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Due to competition around the area which includes casino boats, casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
s, and horse tracks, Derby Lane has lost some qualities gradually such as a gift shop
Gift shop
A gift shop is a store primarily selling souvenirs relating to a particular topic or theme. The items sold often include coffee mugs, stuffed animals, t-shirts, postcards, handmade collections and other souvenirs....
(lost 2009) a bar (lost 2008) and several other cost cutting mesures have been taken around the track. Turnout, though declining, was boosted by the closing of the second nearest dog track: Tampa Bay Greyhound Track. Derby Lane's closest competitor greyhound track still operating is the Sarasota Kennel Club.
Alternate gaming options: The track offers simulcast
Simulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
and pari-mutuel wagering on major dog and horse racing, when the participating tracks/ events live performance schedule is applicable. Derby Lane also is home to the Derby Lane Poker Room, where several standard card game
Card game
A card game is any game using playing cards as the primary device with which the game is played, be they traditional or game-specific. Countless card games exist, including families of related games...
s are offered. The track is classified as a racino, but no slots, or Vegas Style games have been approved for the location.