Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Lady Kafca — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 04:44:50 GMT

Wow, I could never imagine ever going to a racetrack and NOT be able to see the thoroughbreds walk by me. In fact if I place a bet it's because I walked down to the paddock to check out the horse LIVE first. I'd like them to build a baseball stadium with a view like this and see what happens!

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

les — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:39:14 GMT

when i go to Belmont with my cousin a few times a year it is basically empty during the week.that i understand because of the competition with all other forms of gambling now available. But what I dont get is the people in the NYRA not doing anything about even cleaning up the facility. The mens room in back of the the finish line has not been painted for about 50 years at least and the doors on the toilet stalls are all broken. all the fixtures are about 50 years old. But when you watch the belmont stakes on television you have no idea what a dump this place is. As a horse fan for over 50 years i would rather go to the racing casino and be treated like a human being. By the way i go to Keeneland every spring and i can tell you if you dropped your soup on the bathroom floor you can eat it off the floor. They get it not thr bluebloods in the turf and field room who never go down to see what is going on below.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Brad — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:06:36 GMT

Living in South Florida and attending Gulfstream on many occasions every year, I feel Mr. McGee's pain. But I also have found ways around many of the problems that he notes.

First of all, the outside seating is free during the week. It can be accessed through the Ten Palms dining room on the second floor. You can also view the horses in the walking ring from the second floor balcony just outside the entrance to Ten Palms. The view is excellent and only a short walk from the outside seating. The walking ring is one of the best features of the new track, though it does seem a bit confining on busy days.

On weekends they do charge $10 for a seat outside, more on BIG stakes days. There is no admission charge, and no charge for parking, both of which were in place at the old facility.

Do I miss the clubhouse boxes that offered sweeping views of the track? Yes. Do I miss the 18 finish line seats I used to own for the Florida Derby every year? Absolutely! But on every other racing day that huge grandstand was mostly empty. Even on it's best day, the old Gulfstream couldn't hold a candle to Hialeah, but times change, and not always for the bettor.

The dirt track configuration issue is a complete mystery to me, but the 180 foot wide turf course which enables more turf racing to be carded every year is a big plus.

I'll confess, when the new building first went up I hated it. Now it has grown on me considerably. The restaurants in the village offer good food, and on both occasions I have ventured over to them this year they have been well attended. The buffet in Ten Palms has largely been done away with, but the menu offerings are fairly priced, and quite good.

You can get a great hot dog at the first floor stand next to the walking ring. Right next to it there is a raw bar which is excellent. Christine Lee's has a third floor restaurant, and also offers an outside pavilion in the breezeway.

There are large bars both in the breezeway, and in Ten Palms. There are automated machines, and live tellers scattered throughout the facility on all floors.

It's not perfect, but it certainly is far superior to the Calder experience. Don't even get me started on that place!

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

BEAUTY — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 20:42:54 GMT

I WENT TO THE CASINO DELI.THE CASHIER WAS VERY HAPPY,PROFESSIONAL,AND CONSIDERATE,SHE ASKED ME DID I WANT ANYTHING,SHE MADE ME FEEL WELCOME.HER NAME IS CARLA.I WILL RETURN BACK JUST 2 EAT A CORNBEEF SANDWHICH ON RYE TOAST AGAIN.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

HorseLover — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:00:07 GMT

I am a Gulfstream fan. But I must agree with Eric. The New does not come close to the Old. I visited the Old Gulfstream with my father. It was special my " favorite place". The large grandstands with the sunshine beaming down were the best - great view , plenty of room and access to everything. Had much anticipation of what was to come during the construction of the New. Instantly when I walked into the new Park, I was sad. Where was the grandstand? It was suppose to be better but it wasn't . Not nearly. So must all the negative comments written by Eric and others are true. But for some reason I keep coming back. The sunshine is still there. I buy reserved seats ranging from $10 to $150 and once in a while sit inside and enjoy the delicious buffet. Yes it is difficult to get around on Stakes race days but not so much on other days. Can't imagine anyone thinks the New is better than the Old but I would be the last to tell anyone not to come. Still has great horses,trainers,jockeys and weather. Eric have a few extra tickets for the FOY if you want to make another trip.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

walter — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:48:33 GMT

Guess us old-timers cannot accept change. VTL's will last as long as senior's hang around. A.C. is fading and real racing is left to a few venues Saratoga, Keenland few days at Churchill and California. Even Tampa is showing its patron age as attendance drops. But they can't take away those memories. Esp. Hialeah.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Sea The Stars — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:18:43 GMT

Hialeah....Those were the days!.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Draynay — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 21:55:35 GMT

My experience was just the opposite at Gulfstream. We sat at a table on the 2nd floor outside and ate shrimp and crab cakes while sipping on fine wine. I didn't even have to leave my table. I was able to wager from my table and collect my money from the table and I had a wonderful view of the entire track.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

easygoer1322 — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:29:54 GMT

I just came back north last week from my Florida visit.

I intended to go to Gulstream several times during my visit. However, after going once on Sunshine Millions day, I found that to be enough.

The place feels claustrophobic and you have a really hard time moving around, seeing the horses, or watching the race.

Instead of going back, I went to Pompano Park a few times for harness racing.

It was fun, the racing was good, and I had a great time. Most of the people there seemed to be having a good time as well.

The track facilities could use some sprucing up, but, it felt like being at a real racetrack.

There's a simulcast center with a small grandstand next door in the casino as well.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Crusher — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:05:34 GMT

Big Brown you are off the mark. Tampa averages 4 million a day handle. The poker room does 4 million a yr. They need the poker room like we need more Stronach tracks.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Randy K. — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:00:00 GMT

As a grandstand denizen of Churchill Downs it sure sounds as though Gulfstream went overboard in trying to satisfy the younger generation. Upgrading on track otbs and facilities is fine but why not also make sure that there are good and spacious views of the paddock and track. I hadn't been to Turfway since its days as Latonia and I was disappointed there that the vast majority of fans were inside playing the OTB races instead of enjoying the sun and live racing a few steps away! Win or lose there are few things more enjoyable to me that sitting outside on a nice day with your friends, comparing your day's picks, and drinking a few cold brews while you watch the horses run.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Aluminaut — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 02:15:36 GMT

The madness that swoops down in a dream and refuses to leave.

Thanks for the rebuttal. I read the original blog and just couldn't bring myself to comment. Glad it was great for you Fran, but it's not my cup of tea.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Landaluce66 — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 01:05:35 GMT

What's sad is that it could've been a great idea - I go several times a season and some days 'bundle' my racing with shopping and a mani-pedi. For non stakes days it's fine, you can get $15 dollar seat (which is robbery for the view you get - pay $2 general admission at Hollywood Park, Santa Anita or Oaklawn and you get way much more). Any big day and it's $35 a seat and don't buy them online - talk to them on the phone to make sure you aren't sitting right behind a concrete poll. Florida Derby day last year I did not get a seat so hung out at the back of the saddling area. Absolutely nowhere to sit. I did ok but was next to a woman calling her family who obviously hadn't been there before -telling them not to come, it was horrible - and she was right. I wonder how many people go out for the big races and never return....... Calder may be run down, but at least you can see the horses and the track from just about anywhere (for free).

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

John T — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:46:38 GMT

Larry Enzor

Well said,it,s a total shame to

North American racing that such a

beautiful track as Hialeah Park with so much racing history to support it is idle to the great turf and dirt racing that used to take place there.One can only ask

what kind of madness is this.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Dr Drunkinbum — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 23:09:57 GMT

Now that's what I call a rebuttal !!! Really a tremendous piece of writing and insight. And a lot of really great comments especially ERZ213. Thanks for making my day with this dose of reality which is what we need more of to try to reverse the direction this glorious sport has been taking.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Maurice — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:08:18 GMT

This piece is spot-on. I've been to many, many tracks but never one so ill-suited to watch live racing. The facility is fine for watching on monitors inside, but the simulcast coordination is pitiful. Yesterday there were 3 TVs side by side showing AQU. Often they don't even show sister tracks SA, GG and LRL in heavily trafficed areas. As far as the assertion above that this place is a casino, it isn't even well-designed for that. If I recall correctly, the main casino area was originally meant to be a seafood restaurant, hence the massive aquarium!

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

former fan — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 15:10:06 GMT

The big tracks are making the on track experience unpleasant for fans, horse owners and trainers alike. In fact I'm convinced they'll only be happy when they can studio produce the racing product in complete privacy.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Larry Ensor — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:28:56 GMT

Across town sits one of the most beautiful race tracks in America if not the world, Hialeah. Such a shame..

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

BigBrownPost20 — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 09:26:10 GMT

Don't knock the VLT's buddy, that crutch is keeping horseracing afloat. Tampa wouldn't be there if it wasn't for it's poker room either!

You old farts need to get out of the past. Nobody watches the races anyway...the action is too far away.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Cal Gal — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 21:39:28 GMT

Oh, how sad. I won't make that trip to Gulfstream now, that I've been dreaming about, hoping to seeone or more of my favorite horses race. For me, it's about the horses, not the casinos. For the developer, it's just about the $$, clearly. THanks for the warning!

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Paseana — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 05:17:55 GMT

I've never been to Gulfstream, so I haven't experienced either the "before" or the "after", but everything I've heard about the new facility pretty much supports what's been said here.

The really bone-headed move they made though, in my opinion, is laying the new main track down with a configuration on which they can't run 8-1/2 furlong dirt races! And this is traditionally one of the biggest Triple Crown prep venues in the Country! I truly wonder who it was that had that particular brain cramp!

It's little wonder that since the new oval went in, really good Derby prospects like Bluegrass Cat, Street Sense, Any Given Saturday, War Pass, and now Uncle Mo are high-tailing it to Tampa! Bay Downs

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

John T — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:58:01 GMT

I must confess I am from the old school and I miss the days when Hialeah Park was the premier track

in Florida racing and the Flamingo

Stakes was the race that anybody with a serious Kentucky Derby horse

considered.When I close my eyes I

can still see horses like Spectecular Bid,Alydar,Seattle Slew,and Foolish Pleasure winning it.And in years before that horses

like Buckpasser,Northern Dancer,Bold Ruler,Nashua,and Citation.Rest in peace Flamingo Stakes you may be gone but you certainly done your part in American racing history.

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

bn — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 23:51:26 GMT

Hear, hear!

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

Reed Galinac — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:03:22 GMT

While I largely agree with Mr. McGee, I won't go so far as to say that a day (or even two!) spent at the new GP is a total bust. No matter what it is now, it has no equal. For better or worse, it is now the most unique "racetrack facility" in America. For that reason alone it's worth seeing and judging for yourself. And it's South Florida during my Pennsylvania winter. Nuff said. When that breeze blows through those neat open-air areas of the track, the new GP takes on an exotic air not afforded by any other track I've experienced. And the paddock, which Mr. McGee largely ignores, is absolutely gorgeous. It's the most satisfying thing they did with the track -- although they still butched it up by walling it in and making it so claustrophobic.

I do have my own hate list about the new GP. I can't stand the shopping mall (comprised largley of the white-washed windows of empty stores when I was there) which provides part of the backdrop for the paddock and the non-existent "front side." They butted the monstrosity so close up to the track that it blots out the sun! It's shadow makes the place feel "colder", and that should never be in a vacationer's paradise! You can't even see the track from the road, and the artsy "horses" out front are so ambiguous I wasn't sure the gate was a track entrance. I had been to the old GP a dozen times, and I drove right by the damned thing because they hid the track behind the mall!

If you're not prepared to park your butt in a simulcast seat all day and PAY 10 bucks for th privilege (which I can do for free here at home at Penn National), then there's really no one good "place" to be for the horseplayer. You're always in someone's way, or always being disturbed by someone. You'll find yourself walking through a line of people waiting for pizza. You compete for a spot in the paddock. You compete for a spot to watch the horses enter the track, or compete for a place on the apron to watch the race live. Then it's a rush back to whatever small piece of turf you've staked out(in the "clubhouse" turn sandbox with the tattooed tweens!?) to start the process over again. Even on Sunshine Millions Saturday (not exactly a FL Derby crowd), I could never relax -- never felt at ease. No matter where I was in the facility (you can't use the word "grandstand" because there isn't one), I always felt compelled to keep moving. Like no other track I've been to (and that's a bunch, baby), it has no "inside," other than the simulcast theatre, dining room or card/slots areas. I take that back, there is some crazy great-room I stumbled into that looked like they were holding a tapestry contest and auctioning off props from the movie Troy. There was a stage in there, too, but no Beiber tribute band or anything going on. Don't know WHAT that room was about...

Still, they had horses there, and I could get a bet off. And when I felt like it, I could get pretty close to my heroes. And that made it a pretty good day!

re: Gulfstream Park is Anything But Right and Bad for Racing

quarterhossgal — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:59:30 GMT

Having attended Gulfstream several years ago I am disheartened by what sounds like the end of great horse racing there. I, too, go to see the great athletes not to play the slots. If I can't see the horses in the paddock my betting is limited. Let's hope the rest of the nation's tracks won't make this kind of improvement!