SUMMER AT GULFSTREAM 'EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS'
Gulfstream Park exceeds expectations in its first summer racing season
Gulfstream Park's first summer of Thoroughbred racing in its 75 year history drew new fans to the state-of-the-art facility and field size increased over previous summer race programs in South Florida.
"Our summer racing program exceeded all our expectations," said Gulfstream Park President Tim Ritvo. "Our goal was to drive new customers to see Thoroughbred racing and it worked. Win, place and show wagering nationwide averages around 31 percent. Our summer win, place and show wagering was right around 48 percent. That shows us that a lot of new people, and many of them younger with families, came to our facility. In fact, all our business units were up from the same time last year.
"Our new drainage system handled South Florida's summer storms without any problem and our grass course is in excellent condition because of the way it was managed. It's in great shape as we prepare to start our Champions Meet Saturday.
"We're excited about the future of Thoroughbred racing at Gulfstream. With the addition of the Florida Sire Stakes to our program next summer, we look forward to building on our great relationships with our guests and horsemen."
Gulfstream's summer of racing, which averaged approximately $2.4 million in daily handle, was highlighted by the inaugural Sunshine Millions Preview Day and the multiple stakes winning performances of Black Diamond Cat, Sr. Quisqueyano, Parranda and My Pal Chrisy.
Gulfstream's Champions Meet begins Saturday, Nov. 30 with the $100,000 Pulpit Stakes and $100,000 Wait a While. Both will be run over the turf.
This wouldnt be the worst of things to have happen but I seriously doubt or that Gulfstream wants a full year Meet. They need to come to an agreement on Dates like Apr-July for Calder and maybe a 45 day repeat in the Fall.
There was a day when Calder on Christmas Day actually had a crowd. Where races like the Tropical Park Derby (which dates back to the old Tropical Park Track in S Miami) around New Years gave a Derby feel and some good older horses always tried the LaPrevoyante and McKnight and what is now the 7F Ponche(?). With the Casino obviously Gulfstream needs more dates and utilization of the plant. There was a day when Calder GM Ken Dunn muscled Simulcasting into the Legislatures lap when Dogs, Jai-Lai and Casino Boats all fought it. Now it looks like Frank S is gonna muscle Calder out of the game at this rate.....
Silver,
Calder(CDI) would love to get out of the live horse racing business in Florida and elsewhere(not everywhere).They just want to keep their poker/slot room license and still run a simo business with simo signal reselling to Florida buyers(dog tracks,jai lai) The law as written in Florida is idiotic as it requires you to run only ONE live race day to qualify for a poker/slot/resell license.Understand authorities looking at it.
In the meantime Stronach Group putting full court press on Calder to knock them out of live racing business.Florida racing a mess!
Mike
Just Florida?
CDI\'s Twin Spires brand untouchable, all other racing venues on the table imo.Many laws written so that to get a license to conduct poker/slots/simo signal reselling, you must run a live race meet.
CDI financials seem to show profits much better from non racing holdings(Churchill Downs may be exception)Evil empire most profit driven of all racing outfits being a public company.
Imagine if NYRA was privately held last the 15 years,they\'d be condo\'s and shopping malls in South Ozone Park and Hempstead by now
The Rooney Family of Pittsburgh Steelers fame owns the Dog track in Palm Beach County. When the Full Card simulcasting legislation was approved they bought the Jai-Lai track on 45th Street and promptly closed it to have the only Pari-Mutual Wagering License and control in the County. So when Frank built Palm Meadows in Palm Beach Cty guess who had a BLOCK on him getting a license to move any type of Live Racing there at some point in time.
Right now there is a lot of postering to increase the amount of Casino Gambling in the State. A recent PE Deal (Silver Lake?) for the Jai-Lai Fonton in Ft Pierce went for a rumored $100M. Big Lobbyists and Consulting Grps are pushing hard with studies etc. How far they get in the more conservative districts who have an equal vote remains to be seen. That $100M buy came with a Gambling Legislation caveat.
On another note rumor has it that Old Man Rooney made his money doing Book on the Clubhouse turn at Old Hialeah Park. He put up his $25K to start the Pittsburgh Steelers in the old AFL and the rest is history. The Rooney scion Sons are super good guys, are politicans and know the wagering business. They control what Frank wants.
Miff you could be right. Calder has a bigger plan too. Stay tuned!!
Ever since Calder opened that faux casino they have let the rest of the plant go to hell. I was never a big fan of the place, now I can\'t stand it.
It used to be ok. Decent saddling area, reasonable concessions, the 4th floor was pretty comfy in the summer and fall. The last time I went will likely be the last time I ever go.
Even though it takes me 20 minutes longer to get to Gulfstream, I see no reason at all to go back to Calder.
If only Hialeah could generate enough revenue to but up a solid fight to win back some winter dates.
This isnt going away any time soon. If the Palm Meadows location were ever to get a License then the surrounding area is built for a Hollywood Hard Rock Casino type facility. I mean there is nothing there. Gulfstream will never close because Hallandale has already told him there will be no other zoning granted.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-01-03/news/os-florida-gambling-laws-20140103_1_destination-resorts-central-florida-gambling
The whole Disney vs. Casinos battle is total BS. There is no reason why Disney should be able to control or limit casinos over 150 miles away to protect their interests, which went virtually unchallenged for decades.
South Florida should have full casinos. Should have had them years ago.
As for Palm Meadows, the location is decent with easy access. Can\'t see a full resort there but there certainly is room for one. Can\'t imagine the Rooneys would allow that without a fight though.