By PATRICK O’CONNOR
Contributor, Forgotten New York
In 2021, Kevin posted an article on National Street in Corona and mentioned some facts about the National Race Course that once existed in Corona. During my recent visit to the Queens Public Library in Jamaica, searching for information regarding the Flushing track, I found some interesting things pertaining to the National Race Course.
A zoomable version of this map is available here
Constructed in 1854, National Race Course was a one-mile oval and its main attraction was harness racing, though thoroughbred racing also occurred. Written descriptions generally locate the track near National Street, between what is now the Long Island Railroad Port Washington Branch and 37th Avenue and west of what is now Corona Plaza. However, the map seems to indicate it being north and west of 37th Avenue and 103rd Street. The zoom in circles locating the track and National Street (then known as Grand Avenue).
In 1856, the track was renamed Fashion Race Course in honor of a thoroughbred race mare (a female older than four years) named Fashion. Fashion competed in high profile events at Union Course in Woodhaven and on May 10, 1842, set a record of 7:32:50 for four miles. The famed horse Dexter, namesake of the former Dexter Park in Woodhaven was a favorite on this track, setting the one-mile record for a trotter.
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper captured some of the scenes and excitement at the track by sketches and written descriptions. This day’s race featured thoroughbreds.
Here is the opening paragraph retyped from the article “Starting for the Three Mile Race” date of article was July 5, 1856.
“Saturday, June 21 was the last day of the Spring Meeting of the Fashion Jockey Club. Our artist has furnished us a correct and life-like transcript of the gay scene as it appeared at the moment of the starting. The commodious and highly picturesque buildings comprising the Jockey Club, Quarter Stretch and Grand Stands were densely crowded with visitors, attracted as much by the fact of its being the last meeting day, as by the special attractions of the programme.”
The article went on to summarize each heat. The race consisted of three heats of three miles each, with four horses named: Berry, Floride (a mare), Princeton and Sam Letcher. Here is the description of the race retyped:
“First Heat—At the tap of the drum, they all started, Berry First, Floride second, Sam Fletcher [sic.] third and Princeton fourth. It was soon evident that Floride did not intend to run this heat as she gradually fell in the rear, giving place to Sam Letcher and Princeton. They came by the stand on the first mile in this way, Berry leading thirty or forty yards and running as if he intended to take the heat himself. The second mile was about similar to the preceding one. On the third mile, a general change of position took place. Princeton taking the lead, which he maintained to the score. Time 5:50.”
“Second Heat—They went off rapidly. Floride first, Sam Letcher second, Princeton third and Berry last. As they reached the half mile pole, they increased their speed when Princeton passed Sam Letcher and attempted to take the lead from Floride. This he could not accomplish; he tried it time and again, but failed in every instance, the mare continuing her run until she reached home a winner of the heat in 5:49. Berry was drawn after this heat, the pace proving too severe for him.”
Note, they did not say why Sam Letcher did not participate in the third heat.
“Third Heat-This being the test heat between Floride and Princeton, it was run from the score and a better contested race was seldom seen, it being a struggle from beginning to end. The mare took the lead at the start and notwithstanding most strenuous exertions were made to run her down, it was impossible to get past her. As fast as Princeton reached her girth, she would break away from him until at length she widened the gap to such an extent that he could not overtake her, and came home a winner of the race and money in 5:49 1/2 -as good time, everything considered, as was ever run.”
Summer of 1858 at Fashion featured a three game baseball series between the best players that could be found by New York and Brooklyn. One game was played per month for July, August and September. Admission was charged for the first time at a baseball game. New York won the series two games to one with the winning team scoring more than 20 runs in each game. Full recap and sketches of the game can be found here.
History indicates that other racetracks like Sheepshead Bay and Fordham and an increased focus on thoroughbreds rather than trotters led to the closure of Fashion Course. Sources differ on the date of closure of the track, anywhere from 1866-1872.
Another article and photos from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper described a ladies’ race occurring on October 21, 1871, shown above. As mentioned in the FNY article on National Street, West Flushing was renamed Corona in 1870 and was built around the village that stood near today’s Corona Plaza.
Patrick O’Connor is a lifelong resident of Queens, retired with 40 years of service for City of New York Department of Environmental Protection, a licensed sightseeing guide in New York City.
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7/3/26