HURON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Thoroughbred horse racing is on its way back to Metro Detroit.

A groundbreaking was held on Friday for a new $72 million racing facility near Metro Airport in Huron Township.

The Pinnacle Race Course will be built on land that is part of the Pinnacle Aerotropolis Park.

Its opening will mark the return of thoroughbred racing that ended with the closing of Ladbroke DRC 10 years ago.

The track is expected to be open by midsummer.

The race track will be the centerpiece that will feature a hotel, restaurants, and shops on 240 acres near Interstate 275.

"The first phase is to be racing July 19th, which means we have to have the super track in," said Jerry Campbell, Pinnacle Race Course developer. "We've got to have the barns in. We've got to have the corporate pavilion grandstand in. All the improvements, parking, roads, and so forth, and I'm told we're going to make it."

There will be temporary facilities at the beginning that will expand to a permanent grandstand and other amenities later on.

Pinnacle Race Course is expected to provide jobs to 1,200 people.