Sarasota Kennel Club - History of the Tracks

Sarasota Kennel Club has been open since 1929. The Collins family has been operating the tracks since 1944.

Jerry Collins was an amazing man who had lived a full and adventurous life. He was not only a successful dog track owner; he’s spent time as a policeman, a state legislature, and a motorcycle stunt man. He’s owned several circus’, saved lives, sold cars, and was successful in all business ventures.

Greyhound racing, began with Owen Patrick Smith’s invention of a mechanical lure around 1912; this made racing around a track possible.

The first circular track opened in 1919 in Emeryville, CA. This was just the beginning of what is now the 5^th most popular spectator sport.