CNet founder wants to buy, resurrect Hialeah Park

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Am correct in that he doesnt even actually own the land, he just holds a 99 year lease or something like that?

I don't know.

What would the difference be?

Originally Posted by SentToStud

I don't know.

What would the difference be?

The owner could let him out of his lease if the land
was worth bundles with buyers waiting.

So in essence, there is very little difference.
Right now.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

I don't know.

What would the difference be?

The difference is that if he doesnt actually own the land, and the City of Hialeah does it may make things easier or more complicated. I really dont know.

[Cannon Shell]

And arent the racing days in FL deregulated so if Hialeah was brought back they could run against either GP or Calder, not that that would be a great idea.

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

And arent the racing days in FL deregulated so if Hialeah was brought back they could run against either GP or Calder, not that that would be a great idea.

I believe they are deregulated, yes. By the way, this is a real good article from 2001, when they were facing ruin:

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2001-03...st-pony-show/1

[sumitas]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

And arent the racing days in FL deregulated so if Hialeah was brought back they could run against either GP or Calder, not that that would be a great idea.

I think Hialeah could knock out GP. GP is just not happening.

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by sumitas

I think Hialeah could knock out GP. GP is just not happening.

The only way any Hialeah comeback happens is if Stronach buys all or part of it.

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by SlewsMyHero

If Mr. Minor can do it right and is able to secure the prime Winter dates of January and February, Hialeah could be one of those short boutique meetings that becomes a destination for vacationers. I realize it's not in a good area, but sometimes it just takes a prime attraction to revitalize an area. Something like what Oriole Park at Camden Yards did for downtown Baltimore. A casino and a state-of-the-art racebook for simulcasting customers could keep the dollars coming in during the off season.

I also like the idea that Steve Byk put forth about adding Hialeah to the Breeders' Cup rotation.

The bottom of that article says Minor doesn't like the racetrack/casino model. Not to say that it'd never happen but I bet he'd try to avoid it if at all possible. He seems like a guy that knows what works and goes all pit bull to get it. He's also a horse racing lover. Might be just the ticket. Looking at his family and work history among other things, this ain't no lightweight. You can see why they're taking him pretty seriously.

I also like the BC rotation thing. I say Hialeah and Pimlico should be two tracks with BC ambitions. Two historic venues that deserve better than they've gotten.

[Danzig]

i wonder why pimlico has never gotten a look for the bc now that you mention it.

[sumitas]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

And arent the racing days in FL deregulated so if Hialeah was brought back they could run against either GP or Calder, not that that would be a great idea.

Horse racing needs an off season. December, January, February would be a good break country wide.

[letswastemoney]

Originally Posted by sumitas

Horse racing needs an off season. December, January, February would be a good break country wide.

that would be unfair to those who don't make millions of dollars a year. not every trainer and owner is rich. they need to run their horses sometimes.

[sumitas]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

that would be unfair to those who don't make millions of dollars a year. not every trainer and owner is rich. they need to run their horses sometimes.

It looks like Congress will have to mandate an off season if there is to be one. Horse racing will just continue to race their horses year round without that.

[SniperSB23]

F*ck, just when I was hoping someone would answer my post the threadkiller shows up

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by sumitas

Horse racing needs an off season. December, January, February would be a good break country wide.

and in the REAL world....

[SniperSB23]

ok, so what if Hialeah came back and someone was willing to make the investment to offer Aqueduct+ sized purses in the southern Florida climate for the winter? Doesn't anyone think that would work? Obviously the upfront investment would be huge but wouldn't you draw horsemen like Pletcher, Mott, and Zito over from Gulfstream in a second and get the old regulars like Jerkens and Shug to come down from Aqueduct? Is there anyone during the winter that is actually happy being at Aqueduct or Gulfstream?

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

The difference is that if he doesnt actually own the land, and the City of Hialeah does it may make things easier or more complicated. I really dont know.

I guess that is true. They and the feds can make it complicated anyway since the track is a designated national landmark.