Hialeah Grand Opening

MISTERGEE · #1 11-23-2009, 03:15 PM

Unfortunately quarter horses only. Starts this Saturday. No simulcasting. Might be fun to see the old track anyway.

Round Pen · #2 11-23-2009, 04:56 PM

I am Going to Make a trip Down From Ocala After the 1st of the Year just to see the Grand Old Place back in Action.

MISTERGEE · #3 11-23-2009, 05:39 PM

I think it will be worth seeing whether or not you want to bet the quarters

Antitrust32 · #4 11-24-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Round Pen

I am Going to Make a trip Down From Ocala After the 1st of the Year just to see the Grand Old Place back in Action.

Me too.. well I hope to.

GoIrish · #5 11-25-2009, 02:02 PM

I'm hoping to make a trip down to see it and Gulfstream sometime in Jan or Feb. I really hope they can get a thoroughbred meet back.

westcoastinvader · #6 11-25-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MISTERGEE

Unfortunately quarter horses only. Starts this Saturday. No simulcasting. Might be fun to see the old track anyway.

I thought there were stories out there a few years that the place had fallen into such a state of disrepair it was almost beyond bringing back without enormous sums of money.

What did they do, just bring back parts of it initially?

Or were those initial stories embellished a bit?

chucklestheclown · #7 11-25-2009, 11:34 PM

I think they just knocked down the grandstand; it's like a big open-air polo meet.

westcoastinvader · #8 11-26-2009, 12:33 AM

Maybe it's been posted before, but for anyone who cares, here's a link to the track's website with a few photos and a bit on all the local contractors who have taken part in the renovation.

http://www.hialeahparkracing.com/

SlewsMyHero · #9 11-26-2009, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucklestheclown

I think they just knocked down the grandstand; it's like a big open-air polo meet.

No, No, No. They will never bring down that grandstand. That structure is a work of art. They are working on things a little bit at a time. If they get the casino deal they are hoping for, and thoroughbred dates, it will be fully restored.

Hialeah Park video from local CBS affiliate.

westcoastinvader · #10 11-26-2009, 10:01 AM

Thank you for the video news story. That answers nicely about the renovations.

Good to have a fresh view. I loved that park when I lived in Miami.

Danzig · #11 11-26-2009, 12:04 PM

here's hoping this is the start of a rebirth of hialeah. can a renewal of the flamingo stakes be far off? i hope not!!

altho, one has to wonder about racings general state of health. i read earlier today that the big cap is having a purse reduction to 750k....or is that just a hint about cali racing?

SlewsMyHero · #12 11-26-2009, 06:09 PM

I would love to see a 6 week boutique type meeting in early Winter. Make it a meeting worth waiting for, like Saratoga, Del Mar, and Keeneland. Short and sweet. And, as Steve Byk has suggested, make Hialeah Park part of the regular Breeders' Cup rotation. A restored Hialeah Park is the only track in So. Florida that would be able to handle a Breeders' Cup crowd.

MISTERGEE · #13 11-26-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

I thought there were stories out there a few years that the place had fallen into such a state of disrepair it was almost beyond bringing back without enormous sums of money.

What did they do, just bring back parts of it initially?

Or were those initial stories embellished a bit?

only the former clubhouse will be open, not the grandstand area