1976 Event New Jersey Meadowlands racetrack opens 1973 Event Otto Kerner, former governor of Illinois, convicted for his role in an illegal racetrack scheme 1969 Event Diane Crump becomes 1st woman jockey at a major U.S. racetrack (Hialeah) 1955 Event 2 killed, many dazed when lightning strikes Ascott racetrack, England 1932 Event 1st totalisator (to record racetrack bets) in U.S. installed, Hialeah 1894 Event Aqueduct racetrack opens in NY 1887 Event Racetrack betting becomes legal in New York state 1863 Event Saratoga Racetrack, New York, opens
