Derby Lane Dog Track
Derby Lane Dog Track was established in 1925 and is said to be one of the world's premier greyhound dog tracks today.
Derby Lane Dog Track offers both live and simulcast greyhound racing action. Coffee shops, lounges, and concession stands throughout the facility for the comfort and convenience of greyhound racing fans.
Track Records
- 5/16 mile: Cayman Went - 30.02 seconds (02/04)
- 3/8 mile: Awesome Memory - 37.08 seconds (02/95)
Getting to Derby Lane Dog Track
Derby Lane Dog Track is located at 10490 Gandy Blvd N, St Petersburg, Florida, USA.
History of Derby Lane Dog Track
Derby Lane Dog Track started when T. L. Weaver, a lumber entrepreneur, expanded his timberland assets and lumber operations to St. Petersburg, Florida during the land boom of the 1920s. He sold one pine tract to a group of local businessmen who constructed a dog track.
Unable to pay their outstanding balance, the businessmen gave the track back to Weaver's lumber company. Since then, Derby Lane Dog Track has been with the Weaver family.
The season was short in the first years of dog racing, so Weaver booked other entertainment events including stock car races and even an exhibition football game with the legendary Jim Thorpe.
Since then golf stars, tennis celebrities and baseball hall-of-famers such as Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth and Walter Hagan have watched dog luminaries including Racing Ramp, Lucky Pilot and Keefer race at Derby Lane Dog Track.
Derby Lane Dog Track's concrete and steel grandstand replaced the original wooden structure in 1949, and 16 years later, fine dining was introduced in a six-story enclosed clubhouse. In 1977 a veranda clubhouse gave way to an additional enclosed grandstand.
A kennel compound was built in 1990 and is surrounded by native plants and ponds. These wetlands are a preserve for many varieties of birds. The track also houses dog adoption kennels.
