This Sunday marks the end of an era as the Agua Caliente track in Tijuana hosts its final greyhound race, closing its doors for good.
Established within the horse racing circuit in 1947, Agua Caliente once enjoyed immense popularity, boasting a peak strength of 1,000 dogs just a decade ago. However, its fortunes have dwindled rapidly, with the number of racing dogs now reduced to 150, all of whom will need new homes following the track's closure.
With the end of Agua Caliente, North America will be left with only two active greyhound tracks, both located in West Virginia—Wheeling and Mardi Gras. In Canada, greyhound racing exists solely at an amateur level, with no betting permitted. Although some U.S. states still legally allow greyhound racing, it is not actively practised.
The closure of Agua Caliente continues a trend seen since the early 2000s, during which 48 U.S. tracks have shut down. This includes the closure of 10 tracks in Florida in 2020, Southland in Arkansas in 2022, and Dubuque in Iowa, a uniquely situated track on Chaplain Schmitt Island in the Mississippi River.
As greyhound racing continues to fade in North America, the closure of historic tracks like Agua Caliente signals a significant shift in the sport's landscape.