Once proud Gulfstream Park

[Jasonm921]

Now barely outdrawing Aqueduct. Sad decline for what was once a spectacular and popular meet.

[Zman179]

Went there for the first time three days ago.

It is a wonderful place if you are a simulcast bettor, want to sit at a carrel and bet to your heart's content; their simulcast room is very Vegas-like.

It is a horrible place to watch the live races happening outdoors; by far the most fan-unfriendly grandstand I have ever seen...and I've been to numerous tracks. I mean, they barely made any provisions for the live racing fan!

[castaway01]

Now barely outdrawing Aqueduct. Sad decline for what was once a spectacular and popular meet.

You should check out Gulfstream's handle this meet and see how bad they're "struggling".

[OTM Al]

Now barely outdrawing Aqueduct. Sad decline for what was once a spectacular and popular meet.

I miss the hookers that used to show up before the last race, don't you?

[Grits]

Really.

One can go here to read Eric Mitchell's opinion of Gulfstream:
The story begins three paragraphs down.
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/wgoh/archive/2011/01/25/live-streaming.aspx

And, one can go here to read a rebuttal of Mitchell's opinion of Gulfstream:
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/racinghub/archive/2011/02/10/gulfstream-park-is-anything-but-right-and-bad-for-racing.aspx?&utm_source=DailyNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20110211

Both are interesting, and comments follow each opinion.

Having offered these, I add--I just returned from ten days in South Florida. In Hallandale. Having gone specifically for racing, I went to GP each day including Donn Handicap Day.

Like Mitchell, I enjoyed Gulfstream a lot. I did not experience all of the negativity that Mr.McGee writes in his lengthy screed, much of which he spends his time telling how much he's traveled here and there to various racing venues and events. All of which has absolutely nothing to do with Gulfstream Park. Not a thing.

Mr.McGee complains, vehemently, about all of his inconveniences experienced at GP and his lack of a suitable area to watch the racing, live. I didn't have any of these problems. Not a one. I found his remarks sullen, and dated. The sport cannot serve waiting on "the old way" to move us forward. It ain't happening.

Mr.McGee also states that one has to pay $35.00 a day to sit in one of the grandstand seats.

I felt his pain. I tried to show him where the track still was, although from the 2nd floor you cannot access the few remaining outdoor seats unless you (1) go back downstairs, find a place called 'Silks" inside the casino/simulcast parlor,(2) buy a $35 ticket, (3) return back upstairs,(4) cross the entire width of the dining room, and(5) find an open door to your seats (somehow). Dr. Livingston, I presume? Even then, there are only a few hundred of these precious viewpoints allowed to us. The rest of the fans who turn out for a big day like the Donn? Does the phrase 'second class citizen:" strike a chord?

He is mistaken (his statement needs correcting), the daily charge for the grandstand seat is $10.00 per day. The reason I know this, I paid for my seat. On Donn Day, the same seat was $35.00. At Keeneland, having bought grandstand seats for several years, they are the same price, $8-$10 per day. They also skyrocket in price on top racing dates like BlueGrass Stakes Day.

Employees were extremely helpful, I had no problem finding my way to the elevator, to the 2nd floor, to the Ten Palms Restaurant which overlooks the racetrack, much like the upstairs Lexington and Kentucky dining rooms do at Keeneland. It is through the Ten Palm's doors that one finds access to their purchased grandstand seats. In these seats, one can watch races all afternoon, and have the convenience of a mutuel clerk taking their wagers. One doesn't have to leave their seat. I didn't.

I do not know why Mr.McGee or anyone else would have a problem viewing the live racing, few of these seats were occupied. They were very comfortable, and the clerk quite efficient.

The apron was crowded with racing fans, still they all seemed content, pleased to be watching races at GP. One could move from the paddock to the apron without problem.

The Ten Palms and the Christine Lee, one on the 2nd floor, the other on the 3rd floor, both overlook the track and have plenty of clerks. And the food is exceptional. There are also bars in both restaurants, one doesn't have to be seated for dining.

Throughout the plant, on a first come, first serve, "find your spot for the afternoon" basis there were tables for two or four that overlook the paddock, along with seating on both sides of the paddock with large TV screens on each side. There are window clerks at these seats and another mutuel clerk who, like the grandstand seats overlooking the track, moved among those seated in the area. This seating is at no charge. General Admission to the track is at no charge. (General Admission to Keeneland for the privilege of wagering one's money is $5.00 per day.) Parking at the track is no charge. Unless one is valet parking, which does have a fee.

South Florida is NOT Central Kentucky, it is NOT Saratoga. Neither one of these regions have the competition for gambling dollars that South Florida has. I've never been to either a Dog Track or Jai Alai in the nearby areas, still I would imagine any gaming of any kind has to be competitive. Gulfstream has become competitive. The history of the Old Gulfstream, sure, I miss it, still, it would not have been able to remain viable, standing alone as it was. South Florida, is, as I stated, recently, a world all its own when it comes to gambling for entertainment.

I didn't see a slot machine in the entire ten days on the property, but I sure enjoyed the racing, the atmosphere, and ate some outstanding meals in their fine restaurants.

Some will agree, some will not. I didn't like it until I went. I like it now, A LOT.

[alhattab]

The place is a little more cramped than we would all like it to be. But I was there yesterday and spent most of the day up at Christine Lee's and had a great time. I was with non-racing people who also really enjoyed it. The grandstand seating area does need to be 2x bigger but nothing more than that for those of us that still like to use binocs. Place was very lively (part of the benefit of smaller space) and the crowd up at Christine Lee's was on the younger side. Racing is outstanding. I didn't try this but there are a few bars and restaurants that aren't part of the track but are literally right on the other side of the walking ring. You could easily see the horses from these spots and betting (next to the walking ring) was a short walk away for people at these places. It's a pretty neat little set up. I'd love to spend multiple days there. I think they've got a winner.

[Beachbabe]

Really.

One can go here to read Eric Mitchell's opinion of Gulfstream:
The story begins three paragraphs down.
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/wgoh/archive/2011/01/25/live-streaming.aspx

And, one can go here to read a rebuttal of Mitchell's opinion of Gulfstream:
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/racinghub/archive/2011/02/10/gulfstream-park-is-anything-but-right-and-bad-for-racing.aspx?&utm_source=DailyNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20110211

Both are interesting, and comments follow each opinion.

Having offered these, I add--I just returned from ten days in South Florida. In Hallandale. Having gone specifically for racing, I went to GP each day including Donn Handicap Day.

Like Mitchell, I enjoyed Gulfstream a lot. I did not experience all of the negativity that Mr.McGee writes in his lengthy screed, much of which he spends his time telling how much he's traveled here and there to various racing venues and events. All of which has absolutely nothing to do with Gulfstream Park. Not a thing.

Mr.McGee complains, vehemently, about all of his inconveniences experienced at GP and his lack of a suitable area to watch the racing, live. I didn't have any of these problems. Not a one. I found his remarks sullen, and dated. The sport cannot serve waiting on "the old way" to move us forward. It ain't happening.

Mr.McGee also states that one has to pay $35.00 a day to sit in one of the grandstand seats.

[/color]

He is mistaken (his statement needs correcting), the daily charge for the grandstand seat is $10.00 per day. The reason I know this, I paid for my seat. On Donn Day, the same seat was $35.00. At Keeneland, having bought grandstand seats for several years, they are the same price, $8-$10 per day. They also skyrocket in price on top racing dates like BlueGrass Stakes Day.

Employees were extremely helpful, I had no problem finding my way to the elevator, to the 2nd floor, to the Ten Palms Restaurant which overlooks the racetrack, much like the upstairs Lexington and Kentucky dining rooms do at Keeneland. It is through the Ten Palm's doors that one finds access to their purchased grandstand seats. In these seats, one can watch races all afternoon, and have the convenience of a mutuel clerk taking their wagers. One doesn't have to leave their seat. I didn't.

I do not know why Mr.McGee or anyone else would have a problem viewing the live racing, few of these seats were occupied. They were very comfortable, and the clerk quite efficient.

The apron was crowded with racing fans, still they all seemed content, pleased to be watching races at GP. One could move from the paddock to the apron without problem.

The Ten Palms and the Christine Lee, one on the 2nd floor, the other on the 3rd floor, both overlook the track and have plenty of clerks. And the food is exceptional. There are also bars in both restaurants, one doesn't have to be seated for dining.

Throughout the plant, on a first come, first serve, "find your spot for the afternoon" basis there were tables for two or four that overlook the paddock, along with seating on both sides of the paddock with large TV screens on each side. There are window clerks at these seats and another mutuel clerk who, like the grandstand seats overlooking the track, moved among those seated in the area. This seating is at no charge. General Admission to the track is at no charge. (General Admission to Keeneland for the privilege of wagering one's money is $5.00 per day.) Parking at the track is no charge. Unless one is valet parking, which does have a fee.

South Florida is NOT Central Kentucky, it is NOT Saratoga. Neither one of these regions have the competition for gambling dollars that South Florida has. I've never been to either a Dog Track or Jai Alai in the nearby areas, still I would imagine any gaming of any kind has to be competitive. Gulfstream has become competitive. The history of the Old Gulfstream, sure, I miss it, still, it would not have been able to remain viable, standing alone as it was. South Florida, is, as I stated, recently, a world all its own when it comes to gambling for entertainment.

I didn't see a slot machine in the entire ten days on the property, but I sure enjoyed the racing, the atmosphere, and ate some outstanding meals in their fine restaurants.

Some will agree, some will not. I didn't like it until I went. I like it now, A LOT.

Grits,
Some people try something new with a preconceived mind-set. Sometimes they have an agenda. Sometimes they just want to have contrarian opinion.
This all takes place before they walk in the door. If you want to look for negatives, you can find them anywhere, anyplace. If this individual were to put his or her experiences on paper, they will point out only those things which will be construed as negative. They'll use hyperbole, or a little "stretching of the truth" to back up their opinion. Even if the positives far outweigh the negatives, they expound upon the negatives in order to give an all-around bleak picture.
Gulfstream isn't a perfect racing venue. I wish they had left most of the grandstand seating intact also...............but as you pointed out--there's a lot to like.
Thanks for posting an unbiased ("I didn't like it till I went.") point of view. :ThmbUp:

[Zman179]

Well I went with an open mind this past Thursday (this was my first ever visit to Gulfstream) and left with the feeling that I was missing something. I didn't see any signs showing that there was regular reserved seating on the second and third floors, otherwise I would have purchased them. I went to the Ten Palms and the only impression I had received was that it was a restaurant and not an area where I could simply sit down outside.

If they confused a regular horseplayer like me, I can only wonder how many novices they have confused.

[GatetoWire]

This argument is a tough one because anyone who used to go to the old Gulfstream has a tough time with the new Grandstand....yes the new Grandstand works, it's clean and there are available seats if you want to pay etc. Plus I really like the new walking ring.

It's just sad because the old Grandstand was probably the best place to watch a race in America....it was spacious, clean, had great sightlines and charm.

I still think the old GP was perfect and no matter how much fun I have at the new GP....I will always miss the old place.

[gm10]

Graham Motion doing an interview on AtTheRaces. In his opinion, the turf course is better at Tampa than at Gulfstream, and the dirt surface at Gulfstream is pretty 'aggressive' because of the bad kickback.

[Southieboy]

They can have t-breds at Hialeah again, can't they?

[Grits]

Graham Motion doing an interview on AtTheRaces. In his opinion, the turf course is better at Tampa than at Gulfstream, and the dirt surface at Gulfstream is pretty 'aggressive' because of the bad kickback.

Doesn't keep him from entering his horses at Gulfstream though, does it, bud?

[ManeMediaMogul]

Some people try something new with a preconceived mind-set. Sometimes they have an agenda. Sometimes they just want to have contrarian opinion.


I loved the old Gulfstream.

Then I hated the new Gulfstream.

Now, I love the new Gulfstream.

It is the one place the "Stronach Vision" works.

The walking ring seats are free and you get to see the horses up close and personal. Then you get up and make your bet and walk out to the apron to watch the race. Fantastic.

The tropical bar at the eighth pole is huge and fun with plenty of places to sit and sun and bet.

Ten Palms is great if you wanna have a big fancy meal while enjoying an afternoon of sport.

If you are a degenerate, simulcasting goes on into the night.

The mall has plenty of cool shops and eateries if you want to take a race or two off and go for a walk.

There is more to life than pace lines and speed figures. Gulfstream offers a glimpse of that to those willing to expand their horizons.

[gm10]

Doesn't keep him from entering his horses at Gulfstream though, does it, bud?

He's not the owner, is he, bud?