Hialeah talk

[point given]

New article up now says that its possible for both racing and slots to come to Hialeah. Track owner Brunetti knocked down the barns last year, but his developement plan was nixed. SO, that leaves the door open for them to apply for racing dates and for slots. I went there in 2001 when I knew it was about to close and the architecture and grounds and track configuration were terrifc. It was really showing its age back then, but it had the feel of the 50's/60's which I really loved. Then there were the flamingos flying around the lake after the 7th ? race while Sinatra singing Summer Wind ? played on the PA. Will never forget it and hope that things can be worked out to bring it back.

" The House of Representatives this week formed a committee to consider allowing 10 parimutuel facilities in the state to have Class II slot machines, currently used in Indian casinos in the state.
The Hialeah track, which stopped conducting races in 2001, would join Flagler Dog Track, Miami Jai-alai and Calder Race Track as Miami-Dade County sites authorized for slots. Track officials would need to apply for a new license from the state's Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, which revoked the track's racing permits in 2003.
A spokesman for the division said Tuesday that Hialeah Park Race Track has not applied for a new license "

http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/070503/story1.shtml

[Kelso]

New article up now says that its possible for both racing and slots to come to Hialeah.

<snip>

(from the article)
"The House of Representatives this week formed a committee to consider allowing 10 parimutuel facilities in the state to have Class II slot machines, currently used in Indian casinos in the state."


It's almost as if I scripted this .....

Yesterday (May 2) I attended the annual shareholders meeting of Trump Entertainment Resorts with my son (a small-but-enthusiastic shareholder). There was a brief discussion regarding the company's failed attempt to get in on the Pennsylvania slots action.

The turnout was small, so after the meeting I jumped on the chance to suggest to The Don that Hialeah might offer the company a twin-win opportunity ... scoring with a slots operation and, contrasted with the reactions I've read here to how Mr. Stronach has mishandled Gulfstream, a chance for him to play industry hero with a determined-yet-inexpensive effort to make the place VERY PLAYER FRIENDLY.

He expressed mild interest, and mentioned probable opposition from Indian interests, but said he would give it some thought. If lightening strikes and something does come of it, I'll lobby the company to name a bar (if not the paddock) after Kelso ..... and maybe a sandwich after me!!

[point given]

Small world - ironic timing:
Yesterday (May 2) I attended the annual shareholders meeting of Trump Entertainment Resorts with my son (he's the shareholder). There was a brief discussion of the company's failed attempt to secure some of the Pennsylvania slot action.

After the meeting, I took the opportunity to mention to The Donald that Hialeah might present a double-win situation for the company ... scoring slot profits and, contrasted with the reaction I've read here to Stronach, coming out a hero by making a determined-yet-inexpensive effort to make the track PLAYER FRIENDLY.

Please no Trump ! The guy turns my stomach. I can't stand him. I turn off the TV if his face or voice appears. Do you really thing that Brunetti would ever let Hialeah go after all this ? I don't think so. He has been waiting for this day. IMHO, the slots/racing place that is going to do the best is the one in Pompano Beach, Fl.

[Kelso]

Do you really thing that Brunetti would ever let Hialeah go after all this ? I don't think so. He has been waiting for this day. IMHO, the slots/racing place that is going to do the best is the one in Pompano Beach, Fl.



I don't know anything about the situation on the ground in Florida, other than that a beautiful/historic track is going unused and might soon be irretrievable ... and that slots might save it. Any port in a storm sort of situation.

[GaryG]

This is wonderful news. I was last there in 1993 and it still looked great. I wonder if this makes the powers that be at GP nervous. Hialeah once had all the prime winter dates and, as I remember, GP had late March and April. Bring back the Flamingo as the big derby prep! :jump: :jump: :jump:

[levinmpa]

There was a discussion about Hialeah a couple of months ago on the At the Races and Beyond radio show and on derbytrail.com. They had Alex Fuentes of savehialeahpark.com (www.myspace.com/savehialeahpark) as a guest. Co-host Steve Byk suggested that if Hialeah Park could somehow be brought back to life, it would be a great place to host the Breeders' Cup on a rotational basis. He got a lot of positive feedback on the idea. I hope it happens.

[GaryG]

If it does come back I will spend the winter there.

[cnollfan]

I had that same thought -- that Hialeah could be a frequent BC site. I was there in 2001, its last year of live racing, and despite being in disrepair it was still beautiful. And unlike Gulfstream, where Stronach tore down the stands and didn't see a need to replace them, at least Hialeah still has a place to sit and watch the races, should there ever be any.

The racing at that time was pretty bad, though. The first race had a maiden in 65 starts. That's not the worst part -- I bet on him! (fourth at 22-1)