Hialeah Park Reopens
November 19, 2009
Legendary Hialeah Park will reopen its doors November 28, 2009.
The doors of legendary Hialeah Park Race Track are preparing to once again swing open to welcome horsemen and patrons for the first time in eight years. The inaugural American Quarter Horse meet at the track near Miami, Florida, begins November 28.
Hialeah Park, hailed as one of the most beautiful racetracks in the world and home to a legendary flock of flamingos, opened in 1925 and hosted some of the greatest horses in Thoroughbred racing history, such as Seabiscuit, Citation, Seattle Slew and Spectacular Bid. It was also the backdrop for a number of movies, such as the 1989 Richard Dreyfuss comedy “Let It Ride,” and has a cameo in the television show “Miami Vice’s” opening credits.
The track, owned by John Brunetti, was shuttered in 2001 and has since lain dormant. Since the meet was approved, workers have been pulling double shifts to get the track ready for next week’s opening, and things look promising. The 40-day meet, which runs through February 2, will feature eight American Quarter Horse races a day, with average purses of $100,000 per day.
Not only is it a boon to the sport of racing America’s fastest horse, but the return of racing to Hialeah will also boost the area’s economy. According to a city of Hialeah study, the track will directly and indirectly create 11,000 jobs.
“I asked an extended stay hotel owner in Hialeah what Quarter Horse racing meant to her,” said Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association President Dr. Stephen Fisch. “She said it means the difference in breaking even over the 13 weeks we will race and $39,000 added to the bottom line.”
Dwayne Didericksen is serving as the horsemen’s representative. Didericksen has served at other tracks as an owner, trainer, steward, racing secretary and general manager, and currently serves as a member and chairman of the AQHA Racing Committee and Racing Council.
“The racetrack surface itself is in excellent, excellent condition,” said Didericksen. “They tell me that in the Thoroughbred world, this is the most kind racetrack (to the horses’ legs) not only in Florida, but any place they go.”
The horses will live in portable barns under tents with good air flow.
“It’s a huge property, with beautiful trees everywhere,” he said. “They’re working like heck on the grandstand. The paddock looks nice.”
Racing secretary Sam Abbey reported that of the 864 stalls they have, there are currently 820 stalls allotted.
“I think the facility itself is going to be an excellent showcase,” Didericksen said. “If all the horses show up that applied, the race meet should be fine.”
Quarter Horsemen from around the country are heading to southern Florida for the meet from states as far flung as New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida and Michigan.
Seven-consecutive-time champion trainer Paul Jones will be bringing a string of horses to the Sunshine State. The leading trainer has conditioned the earners of more than $53 million, including world champions Whosleavingwho and Wave Carver. Other trainers attending include Donnie Strickland, Brad Bolen and Judd Kearl.
Opening weekend features the $25,000-added Bienvenido De Nuevo Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 300 yards, the $20,000-added Mockingbird Stakes for 2-year-olds at 220 yards and the $30,000-added Orange Blossom Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 550 yards.
Among the 34 nominations to the Bienvenido is Grade 1 winner Gallant Ways, a homebred that races for Clara Lucille Webb of Diamond, Missouri. The Make It Anywhere gelding has earned $184,905 and in his most recent start rallied for a second-place finish in the Two Rivers Stakes (G3) at Prairie Meadows.
There are 37 early nominations to the $100,000-added Hialeah Laddie Stakes and 36 to the $100,000-added Hialeah Lassie Stakes. Nominations in the Laddie include Swingin Daddyo, Debra Gotovac’s Agouti gelding who has already run out more than $140,000 while racing in the Grade 1 Ruidoso, All American and Dash For Cash futurities, and setting a track record at Lone Star Park. The finals for both races are scheduled for December 26.
“I was the racing secretary here from 1991 to 2001 with the Thoroughbreds,” said Abbey. “This is my favorite place on earth. The Brunettis have put a lot of money into this deal, and Hialeah looks like the old Hialeah. It’s gorgeous. Just absolutely gorgeous.”
Gates open at 11 a.m. on November 28 with free admission and free parking. First post is at 1:05 p.m. The track will also host a live concert featuring Willy Chirino and Los Primeros. For more, visit Hialeah Park’s Web site.
Comments
Add a Comment