This is how it ends at Calder
 

They should take the Calder surface and ship it GP and close Calder

So CRC, "Calder Race Course" also will not have simulcasting? People view the 40 race days they have from tents?? Wow.

Wonder what will happen to Bobby Newman? I like his race calls. Maybe he can come and finish Ellis Park's meet...

"The track will now operate only 40 days a year and patrons will view the races from large tents rather than from the existing grandstand"

Amazing!

Sad news. I have great memories from Calder dating back to the early 80's. I loved their Manhattan Clam Chowder and view from the top floor outside seating. I spent some memorably Saturdays with my father and Grandfather there.

Love a food reference!

:tro:

The top floor outside balcony was the absolute best place to watch a race. Fond memories from there ( Lost in the Fog, Madcap Escapade, Caller One, Cajun Beat, etc. )

I have to mention Phil Saltzman "They're Not Going To Get Him/Her TODAY! He was a staple there for 21 years.

When Delaware Park was '' Saratoga South '' in the early 80's the track announcer used the same line. I'm not positive but somehow I got the impression he was the track handicapper as well. My feeble memory thinks his first name was Joe.For all I know it's the same guy. I'm sure someone here knows.

I cut my wagering teeth at Calder in the late 80s and early 90's. Some of my favorite Calder regulars:

Gun Deck 134 36 21 21
Spirit of Fighter 72 33 6 10
Judy's Red Shoes 83 25 13 12
Ponche 47 16 9 6
Swedaus 74 12 14 18

They danced every dance and ran their guts out every time.

That looks like quite a Pretty Horsey list to me.:tro:

why even bother erecting tents. just shove all the horseplayers back in the barn area. now thats what management would really like to do.

Yep, it was a great place, especially in the fall meet.

One of my earliest in-person race memories up there was Creme Fraiche over Cryptoclearance in 1988.

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3877372.html

I lived in Fort Lauderdale from 2000-2005 and enjoyed going there once in a while. Its a shame what its become. Any talk about Hialeah ever having a regular thoroughbred meet besides the quarters?

Yes. Extensive.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...ed-opportunity

The answer is that the agreement between Gulfstream Park and Calder Casino & Race Course does not have an immediate spot for Hialeah Park, which has not had live Thoroughbred racing since 2001.

But Hialeah Park owner John Brunetti remains determined to bring Thoroughbreds back to his famous racetrack, where the main attractions are now a casino that opened last August and live Quarter Horse racing. Brunetti is hoping to stage a comeback through a deal with his one-time nemesis Gulfstream. The agreement with Calder has in effect given Gulfstream control over South Florida racing dates.

Thanks for the answer. I remember the owner had to run a year or two of the quarters before he was allowed to get the casino license. It is refreshing to see a casino owner actually welcoming thoroughbred racing. It seems like he is in the minority these days.

He utilized the card room/gaming avenue to get the ball rolling on Hialeah's revitalization, but John Brunetti is first, foremost and always a horseman.

Funny how people cross path's and don't even know it until later years.
I was working on the gate there at the same time.

Old Man Rose had him and I think his name was Sweet Bobby V