Hialeah Park
Hialeah Park just closed it's most successful quarter horse meet on February 19, 2012. I would have thought the most important thing would have been to get working on finishing construction on the slot machine part of the Hialeah Park. This is not a small job. The pictures of what the place will be is going to take some time. This is not going to be a steel building(at least I hope not).
Instead I hear that the most beautiful race track in the world is applying for dates to run thoroughbreds that would conflict with Calder. Deja Vu all over again. This might make some sense if there were enough horses to run races at both venues. I doubt there are enough horses to fill races at either track given the state of racing these days.
Calder, Hialeah, and Gulfstream need to work together. The parimutuel industry can provide a form of entertainment and jobs beyond a blank stare that slot machines produce. The parties involved in the gaming industry don't trust each other as it is and I'm sure this will not help the situation.
I know the staff that works at Hialeah would like to work more days. They did a good job during the last meet and allowing simulcasting at Hialeah was to the good. I'm sure that Gulfstream has not lost a dime from extending the reach of their signal to Hialeah Park and the dog track. The State of Florida also benefited from increased tax collections. Whether this small bit of cooperation was reached voluntarily or through state pressure is unclear but the overall positive result cannot be denied.
Beyond the Triple Crown races in the spring and the Breeder's Cup in the fall on track attendance is at best flat. The NFL has benefited from cooperation and the horse racing industry would benefit from cooperation that would rebuild the sport.
Instead I hear that the most beautiful race track in the world is applying for dates to run thoroughbreds that would conflict with Calder. Deja Vu all over again. This might make some sense if there were enough horses to run races at both venues. I doubt there are enough horses to fill races at either track given the state of racing these days.
Calder, Hialeah, and Gulfstream need to work together. The parimutuel industry can provide a form of entertainment and jobs beyond a blank stare that slot machines produce. The parties involved in the gaming industry don't trust each other as it is and I'm sure this will not help the situation.
I know the staff that works at Hialeah would like to work more days. They did a good job during the last meet and allowing simulcasting at Hialeah was to the good. I'm sure that Gulfstream has not lost a dime from extending the reach of their signal to Hialeah Park and the dog track. The State of Florida also benefited from increased tax collections. Whether this small bit of cooperation was reached voluntarily or through state pressure is unclear but the overall positive result cannot be denied.
Beyond the Triple Crown races in the spring and the Breeder's Cup in the fall on track attendance is at best flat. The NFL has benefited from cooperation and the horse racing industry would benefit from cooperation that would rebuild the sport.
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