Racing first took place on the Southern Illinois course of Fairmount Park on 26th September 1925 at Collinsville and remained there until 1947 when thoroughbred racing ceased and the course seemed destined to lose its thoroughbred racing. It was replaced for a short while by harness racing until the management group made the inspired decision to begin night racing. This had overnight appeal and the course went from strength to strength. The 8 furlong oval dirt track has separate 6 furlong and 10 furlong chutes, sharing a 342 metre home straight. The principal race in the 1960's was the Fairmount Futurity for 2 year olds which was first run at the course in 1962. A tragedy occurred on 27th April 1974 when the main grandstand was gutted by a fire. By 1999 the organisers had decided to end their harness racing programme. Later the track hosted the St Louis Derby for the first time in 2006 when won by Lawyer Ron. The race was previously called the Fairmount Derby when introduced in 1926 and was won by the appropriately named Haste. In 2007 an application was made to build a new 20000 seater amenity. There was concern that the number of racing days had decreased considerably, currently standing at 90 per year.

St Louis Derby/ Fairmount Derby winners since its inception in 1926
1926 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Haste
1927 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Buddy Bauer
1928 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Misstep
1929 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Karl Eitel
1930 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Gallant Knight
1931-66 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was not held
1967 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by English Muffin
1968 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Blarney Kiss
1969 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Barely Once
1970 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Robins Bug
1971-80 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was not held
1981 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Pocket Zipper
1982 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Northern Majesty
1983 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Hail to Rome
1984 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Big Pistol
1985 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Smile
1986 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Goshen Store
1987 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Parochial
1988 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Primal
1989 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Andover Man
1990 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was not held
1991 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Discover
1992 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Count the Time
1993 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Adhocracy
1994 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Silver Goblin
1995 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Strawberry Wine
1996-2005 The Fairmount Derby over 8 ½ furlong was not held
2006 The St Louis Derby over 8 ½ furlong was won by Lawyer Ron

ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3

652 pages

774 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0

352 pages

400 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7

180 pages

140 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4

264 pages

235 former courses