[1] It was the first horse track to open in West Virginia, following the legalization of parimutuel wagering earlier in the year.

[4] The facility, located on the former grounds of the Charles Town Horse Show,[5] was constructed in two months at a cost of $160,000[2] (a huge sum during the height of the Great Depression).

The developers believed that it would draw large crowds due to it being the only northern track to hold races during the winter season, and they were right.

Train service from Baltimore boosted attendance, and the track continued to thrive through World War II.

[6] The facility attracted many notable guests, including J. Edgar Hoover, who was a regular visitor, and John F. Kennedy during his campaign for Presidency.

[11] In 1983, Rapid-American sold the Charles Town track to a group of local businesspersons for approximately $12 million.

[17] West Virginia legislators in 2007 authorized table games at the state's race tracks, subject to a local referendum in each county.

Charles Town thrived for years as the closest gambling option for residents of the Washington/Baltimore metropolitan area, until Maryland legalized casinos.

[25] Starting in 2012, competition from casinos in the Baltimore area took a heavy toll on Charles Town's business.

In 2013, the purse was increased to $1,500,000 with the winner receiving $1,000,000, making the Grade 3 Charles Town Classic one of the richest Thoroughbred race contested in U.S. surpassed only by the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup World Championships.