The last day of races at the Bowie Race Course, July 13, 1985

A track employee makes his rounds for the last time
after Bowie writes the final chapter in its history.

July 13, 1985: According to the Baltimore Sun, more than 12,000 fans gathered at the Bowie Race Course for the final day of horse racing - seventy-one years after the track first opened.  The last race ended, and General Manager Al Karwacki passed out trophies in the winners' circle.  Some of the race track employees were recognized, and "Thanks for the Memories" played over the public address system.  A Guy Lombardo version of "Auld Lang Syne" played next, and the infield board began flashing the message, "Bowie:  1914-1985,  Thanks.".  The emotion was too much for Karwacki and his wife Lorraine, and they both began to cry.  Racing at the Bowie Race Course was no more.

Baltimore Sun photographer Gene Sweeney, Jr. snapped this picture of a race track employee in the grandstands after all the fans had left.