Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
WHEN DID GULFSTREAM PARK INSTALL ITS FIRST TURF COURSE?
12/9/2020
Gulfstream Park epitomizes winter racing. The Florida sunshine bleaches the track regularly during the Championship winter meet. It was first opened in 1946. It has many owners over the years, but currently in it is in the hands of the Stronach Group. Its recent remodel began in 2004 as the inspiration of Frank Stronach. Many fans were disappointed that the “old” Gulfstream with spacious seating would be replaced with a modern version. Experience as shown that the New Gulfstream Park with fewer seats, a casino and a racino surrounded by a shopping center may the model for the future of racing. Unfortunately, the renovations eliminated it from hosting the Breeders’ Cup because of size. It did host the Breeders’ Cup here time before the new Gulfstream Park opened –1989, 1992 and 1999. This week’s Handicappers’ Corner race, the Fort Lauderdale Stakes (GII), was first run in 1947 as a dirt race. Gulfstream Park installed its turf course in 1959. The Fort Lauderdale Stakes has run on the turf course since except in 2010 when it was switched to the dirt because of rain.