Melissa Donovan
There are potentially few more scenic locations to watch horse racing action in person than in the beautiful state of Florida.
The sport has an esteemed history in the region, with many believing it to be the home of some of the legendary champions that have later gone on to achieve memorable victories in races such as the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic.
For those fortunate to live in the state, or whether you’re traveling Florida, there are three excellent locations to either watch TwinSpires handicapping contests or take a step back in time to learn more about what transcended the sport when it was first unearthed in the region.
Gulfstream Park
There’s little doubt that the most popular horse racing locations in Florida can be found at Hallandale Beach and Gulfstream Park. It is a rare track that is open 365 days every year, and it is owned by The Stronach Group.
Each year, three main meets make up the racing calendar. The Royal Palm runs between April and September, the Flaming Festival is between October and November before the big graded races are run at the Championship Meet between December and March.
Gulfstream Park has constantly evolved throughout history, with the latest developments being made in September 2013 when a signature bronze statue of a Pegasus slaying dragon was erected.
It was previously the second largest statue in the United States after the Statue of Liberty. Gulfstream Park has something for every racing fan, with action taking place on the turf, dirt, and all-weather surfaces.
Notable Races
There are over 20 stakes races run at Gulfstream annually, with the most important coming in the forms of three Grade 1s. The most significant of these is the Florida Derby, which has been contested since 1952.
The race for horses aged three has been a key trial for the Kentucky Derby throughout history, with 21 previous winners of the race later landing a win in one of the Triple Crown races.
However, the Pegasus World Cup is the most-attended race day on the schedule, with the Pegasus World Cup and Pegasus World Cup Turf being staged. Both races are among the first two high-level events on the stakes calendar at the start of a new season.
Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Downs is also an incredibly popular location for watching horse racing in the Florida region. Racing fans have been welcomed to the track since 1926 when it was opened as Tampa Downs.
Throughout history, it has changed names on a number of occasions, previously being known as Sunshine Park and Florida Downs and Turf Club before settling on its current name. Racing on track runs between November and the start of May, with Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays being the most popular days to attend.
The turf course is seven furlongs, and it is regarded as one of the finest in the United States. It is also the only track on the west coast of Florida to boast a horse racing track. Tampa Bay Downs has also played a prominent role in history, as it was used as a training base for the United States Army in 1943.
It was later labeled the ‘Santa Anita of the South’ in the 1950s when famous sportswriters such as Red Smith and Fred Russell would regularly attend race days.
Notable Races
Unlike Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs doesn’t stake any Grade One races during the season. However, the most popular race days for visitors center around the two Grade Twos.
The Tampa Bay Derby is a key trial for the Kentucky Derby, with the field covering a distance of 1 1/16 miles. It has produced many key Derby contenders throughout history, including the 2007 winner of the Triple Crown race, Street Sense. Meanwhile, the Hillsborough Stakes is the feature for fillies and mares on the turf, with famous winners including Tepin and Zagora.
Hialeah Park Casino
One of the most famous tracks in the region remains Hialeah Park. The course was one of the first racing venues in Florida when it was opened in 1922, and it was as popular for seeing wild flamingos, as it was for seeing the pinnacles of equine excellence.
It was the first location in the world to install a photo-finish camera, which revolutionized the accuracy of results in the sport. Hialeah also features in the film ‘Let It Ride’, which remains a cult classic among racing fans.
However, it was ultimately closed as a thoroughbred track in 2001 due to competition with Gulfstream Park. It was re-opened to the public in 2013. The track was home to many prestigious races, including the aptly named Flamingo Stakes. The race was a key trial for the Kentucky Derby.
Hialeah also hosted competitive handicaps such as the Widener Handicap and Black Helen Handicap.
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