Gulfstream Park
Encyclopedia
Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino is a racetrack and county-approved racino
in Hallandale Beach, Florida
, in the United States
. During its annual meet, which spans December through April, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing
in America.
Gulfstream Park was opened on Wednesday February 1, 1939 conducting a four-day meeting. The initial meeting had a crowd of 18,000. In 1944, the track was reopened by James Donn, Sr. for a 20-day meeting in December. The Gulfstream Park Handicap was first run in 1946 and the Florida Derby began in 1952. In that year the clubhouse was built and the Grandstand seating was expanded.
Gulfstream Park introduced turf racing for the first time in 1959.
In 1961, James Donn Jr. succeeded his father as president of Gulfstream Park. In this year the Clubhouse was enlarged and the then-world's largest totalisator board was installed in the infield. A big break for Gulfstream Park came in 1972, when the track was awarded "middle dates" for a 40-day January through April meet.
In 1982, the Grandstand was renovated with new architecture and in 1984 the renovation of the clubhouse was completed. In 1986, the renovation of the track was completed with the new Gulfdome, a domed dining terrace. In 1989 Gulfstream Park hosted the Breeders Cup for the first time (which it did again in 1992 and 1999).
In 1990, the track was purchased by Bertram R. Firestone. In 1994, a half interest in the track was sold to Nigashi Nihon. The track was purchased by Magna Entertainment Corporation
, in 1999 for $95 million. In 2010, the ownership of the track was taken over by Magna parent MI Developments Inc. (MID).
The track began a $130 million renovation of the grandstand and clubhouse in 2004 and slot machines were approved for the track in 2004. It shares the races of the Sunshine Millions with Santa Anita Park
.
The renovation, first effective for the 2006 spring meeting, was heavily criticized by racegoers and commentators, who felt that the new racino
laid its emphasis entirely on the casino part, destroying the racetrack's atmosphere. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/16/AR2006011600966.html
The track originally had a one mile dirt oval and a 7 furlong turf oval prior to the 2005 renovation.
Gulfstream Park has, in recent years, been a venue for concerts, with performances taking place on the grounds outside the grandstand. Reserved seats to the concerts are sold in advance, and others paying normal admission to the track may watch the concert in standing room. Various singers and groups who were popular in earlier times perform at Gulfstream as part of their tours. The track was also host to the Miami Pop Festival
on December 29, 1968 featuring The Grateful Dead and others.
Grade 1:
Grade 2:
Grade 3:
Non-graded: (partial list)
Racino
A racino is a combined race track and casino. In some cases, the gambling is limited to slot machines, but many locations are beginning to include table games such as blackjack, poker, and roulette....
in Hallandale Beach, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. During its annual meet, which spans December through April, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
in America.
Gulfstream Park introduced turf racing for the first time in 1959.
In 1961, James Donn Jr. succeeded his father as president of Gulfstream Park. In this year the Clubhouse was enlarged and the then-world's largest totalisator board was installed in the infield. A big break for Gulfstream Park came in 1972, when the track was awarded "middle dates" for a 40-day January through April meet.
In 1982, the Grandstand was renovated with new architecture and in 1984 the renovation of the clubhouse was completed. In 1986, the renovation of the track was completed with the new Gulfdome, a domed dining terrace. In 1989 Gulfstream Park hosted the Breeders Cup for the first time (which it did again in 1992 and 1999).
In 1990, the track was purchased by Bertram R. Firestone. In 1994, a half interest in the track was sold to Nigashi Nihon. The track was purchased by Magna Entertainment Corporation
Magna Entertainment Corporation
MI Developments Inc. , formerly known as Magna Entertainment Corp., is a gambling and horse racing company in North America with several holdings in Europe and Australia, and is North America's largest thoroughbred racing company, based on revenue and holdings...
, in 1999 for $95 million. In 2010, the ownership of the track was taken over by Magna parent MI Developments Inc. (MID).
The track began a $130 million renovation of the grandstand and clubhouse in 2004 and slot machines were approved for the track in 2004. It shares the races of the Sunshine Millions with Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
.
The renovation, first effective for the 2006 spring meeting, was heavily criticized by racegoers and commentators, who felt that the new racino
Racino
A racino is a combined race track and casino. In some cases, the gambling is limited to slot machines, but many locations are beginning to include table games such as blackjack, poker, and roulette....
laid its emphasis entirely on the casino part, destroying the racetrack's atmosphere. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/16/AR2006011600966.html
Track attributes
The current dirt course is one and one-eighth miles in circumference, with a one-mile backstretch chute. The turf course is one mile in circumference; depending on the race day, the portable rail can be moved to the inside or outside of the course, thereby changing the circumference. The track can seat 16,627 people.The track originally had a one mile dirt oval and a 7 furlong turf oval prior to the 2005 renovation.
Entertainment
Miami Pop Festival
The Miami Pop Festival was the name of two different music festivals that took place in 1968 at Gulfstream Park, a horse racing track in Hallandale, Florida , just north of Miami....
on December 29, 1968 featuring The Grateful Dead and others.
TV Personalites
- Gary Seibel (1991–1993)
- Caton Bredar (1994–1999, 2010)
- Jennifer Burke (1999–2002)
- Joanne Jones (2003–2006)
- Ron Nicolleti (2007–2009, 2011-present)
- Rolly Hoyt (2007–2009)
- Larry CollmusLarry CollmusLarry Collmus is a Thoroughbred horse racing announcer. A native of Baltimore, Collmus has called at numerous racetracks around the country. He is currently the announcer at Gulfstream Park and Monmouth Park, and has sometimes called at Suffolk Downs.Collmus got his start by calling his first race...
(2007–present) - Travis Stone (2010)
- Alyssa Ali (2010)
- Jessica Pacheco (2011-present)
Stakes Races
Gulfstream Park is home to the following graded stakes: (listed by grade and year inaugurated)Grade 1:
- Donn HandicapDonn HandicapThe Donn Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late January/early February at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.The race is named after the Donn family, who for many years owned and operated the racetrack....
(1959) - Florida DerbyFlorida DerbyThe Florida Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida on the Saturday closest to the end of March or the first of April. Added to the racing schedule in 1952, the Grade 1 race is run at 1⅛ miles on the dirt...
(1952) - Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (1986)
Grade 2:
- Gulfstream Park OaksBonnie Miss StakesThe Gulfstream Park Oaks is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The Grade II race is open to three-year-old fillies, willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt....
(1971) - Davona Dale StakesDavona Dale StakesThe Davona Dale Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. It is open to fillies, age three, willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt...
(1988) - Forward Gal StakesForward Gal StakesThe Forward Gal Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually near the end of January at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida...
(1981) - Fountain of Youth StakesFountain of Youth StakesThe Fountain of Youth Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida at the beginning of March. A Grade II event open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt, it offers a purse of $400,000...
(1945) - Gulfstream Park HandicapGulfstream Park HandicapThe Gulfstream Park Handicap is a race for thoroughbred horses run at Gulfstream Park each year. The race is open to horses age four and up, willing to race one mile on the dirt...
(1946) - Hutcheson StakesHutcheson StakesThe Hutcheson Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. A Grade II event raced on dirt, it is open to three-year-old horses. Run over a distance of seven and a half furlongs, it currently offers a purse of $150,000.Inaugurated on...
(1955) - Inside Information Stakes (1976)
- Mac Diarmida HandicapMac Diarmida HandicapThe Mac Diarmida Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. A Grade II event since 2007, it is open to horses age four and older and is contested on turf over a distance of one-and-three-eighth miles...
(1995) - Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship (1972)
- Swale StakesSwale StakesThe Swale Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early February at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. A Grade II sprint race for three-year-olds, it is run on dirt over a distance of 7 furlongs...
(1985)
Grade 3:
- Appleton HandicapAppleton HandicapThe Appleton Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually near the end of March at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida...
(1952) - Canadian Turf HandicapCanadian Turf HandicapThe Canadian Turf Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in February at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The Grade III race is open to horses four-year-old and up and is run at a distance of 11/16 miles on turf....
(1967) - Deputy Minister HandicapDeputy Minister HandicapThe Deputy Minister Handicap was a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in early February at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The race was open to horses age four and older and contested on dirt over a distance of six and one-half furlongs.The race was named in honor...
(1990) - Ft. Lauderdale StakesFt. Lauderdale StakesThe Ft. Lauderdale Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.Assigned Grade III status beginning in 2010. Due to weather, however, the race was run off the turf in 2010. It was run a mile on dirt and was automatically downgraded,...
- Hal's Hope Stakes (1990)
- Herecomesthebride StakesHerecomesthebride StakesThe Herecomesthebride Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. It is currently a Grade III race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on turf....
(1984) - Honey Fox Handicap (1985)
- Holy Bull StakesHoly Bull StakesThe Holy Bull Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Run in mid April, it is open to three-year-olds over a distance of one mile and three sixteenths...
(1972) - Hurricane Bertie Handicap (2001)
- Marshua's River Stakes
- Mr. Prospector Handicap (1946)
- Old Hat StakesOld Hat StakesThe Old Hat Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. It is currently a Grade III race run over a distance of 6 furlongs on dirt. It became a graded race for the first time in 2005.The race was named...
(1976) - Orchid HandicapOrchid HandicapThe Orchid Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The Grade III turf race is open to fillies and mares, aged four and up...
(1954) - Palm Beach StakesPalm Beach StakesThe Palm Beach Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. A Grade III event open to three-year-old horses, it is contested on turf over a distance of nine furlongs...
(1987) - Pan American HandicapPan American HandicapThe Pan American Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the end of March at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida...
(1962) - Rampart Stakes (1976)
- Sabin StakesSabin StakesThe Sabin Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for older fillies and mares and is run at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. A Grade III stakes race, it's set at a distance of 1 mile on the dirt, and offers a purse of $100,000.The Sabin is named for the multiple Grade I stakes...
(1991) - Skip Away HandicapSkip Away HandicapThe Skip Away Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. A Grade III event open to horses age four and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of 1³/16 miles ....
(1987) - Sugar Swirl Handicap (19)
- Suwannee River HandicapSuwannee River HandicapThe Suwannee River Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run at Gulfstream Park located in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Open to fillies and mares four-year-olds and up, the Grade III event is set at a distance of 9 furlongs or one and one eighth mile on the turf...
(1947) - Very One Handicap (1987)
Non-graded: (partial list)
- Aventura StakesAventura StakesThe Aventura Stakes is a race for Thoroughbred horses raced at Gulfstream Park at the start of the year. The Aventura is open to three year olds willing to race one mile on the dirt and carries a purse of $125,000....
- Coconut Grove Stakes
- Spectacular Bid StakesSpectacular Bid StakesThe Spectacular Bid Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the beginning of January at Gulfstream Park race track in Hallandale Beach, Florida...
(1986)