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for parimutuel horse racing. On May 28, the
Massachusetts Racing Commission granted the Agawam Racers and Breeders Association a racing license. James J. Curry was the track's first president, but business pressures forced him to resign before construction even began. He was succeeded by Thomas Wells
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The track's second meet opened on May 27, 1936. 8,000 people attended the first day of races, which again was plagued by low betting. On August 17, 1936, the track was put up for auction by the Agawam town collector due to unpaid taxes, however, no one bid on the property. On March 29, 1937, Judge
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approved a reorganization of the Agawam Racers and
Breeders Association that saw Anderson T. Herd purchase 15,000 shares in the track for $ 150,000. After Herd took control, James C. Thornton replaced Lou Smith as the track's general manager and Ed Brennan took over as racing secretary.
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On
November 8, 1938, Hampden County voters rejected a referendum permitting parimutuel betting on horse racing 22,586 votes to 17,487, forcing the closure of Agawam Park.
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Welch, Eddie (October 1, 1935). "Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing
Invades Western Part of State on Major Scale as Agawam Opens Today".
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The track opened on
October 1, 1935. 15,000 spectators attended the day's races but betting was light. On October 16,
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Sweeney gave the Agawam Racers and
Breeders Association approval to hold races that summer. That August,
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Welch, Eddie (October 2, 1935). "Ladfield
Captures Opener at Agawam Before 15,000".
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The track was deeply in debt after its first year and on March 23, 1936, Judge
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Durant. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 22, 1935.
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On May 17, 1935, a special town meeting approved rezoning
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203:"Agawam Ground Broken for Horse Racing Plant".
395:Sports venues in Hampden County, Massachusetts
308:"No Bidders at Auction Sale of Agawam Track".
278:"Agawam Signs Brennan as its Race Secretary".
173:"Agawam Votes Zoning Change to Allow Track".
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385:Defunct horse racing venues in Massachusetts
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390:Harness racing venues in the United States
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338:"Meeting at Agawam to Draw Fast Field".
95:, that was open from 1935 to 1938, when
380:1938 disestablishments in Massachusetts
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323:"Agawam to Reopen Again This Summer".
293:"Only $ 92,000 Bet at Agawam Opener".
128:won the $ 2,500 Springfield Handicap.
91:was an American horse racing track in
263:"Herd Comes to Aid of Agawam Track".
188:"Race Permit Given Track at Agawam".
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375:1935 establishments in Massachusetts
248:"Seabiscuit Wins 'Cap at Agawam".
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97:Hampden County, Massachusetts
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353:"Vote Against Betting".
138:George Clinton Sweeney
153:meet at Agawam Park.
113:Bowles Agawam Airport
93:Agawam, Massachusetts
55:42.05306°N 72.66194°W
26:Agawam, Massachusetts
357:. November 9, 1939.
252:. October 17, 1935.
60:42.05306; -72.66194
51: /
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355:The New York Times
312:. August 18, 1936.
101:parimutuel betting
327:. March 30, 1937.
297:. April 29, 1936.
282:. April 29, 1936.
267:. March 24, 1936.
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342:. July 17, 1937.
340:The Boston Globe
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207:. July 23, 1935.
205:The Boston Globe
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99:, voted against
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151:Grand Circuit
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147:Paul Bowser
89:Agawam Park
79:Date closed
71:Date opened
58: /
33:Coordinates
17:Agawam Park
369:Categories
160:References
126:Seabiscuit
107:Beginnings
46:72°39′43″W
43:42°03′11″N
132:Struggles
22:Location
120:Opening
82:1938
74:1935
371::
103:.
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