Steve's Hialeah Idea.

Originally Posted by SlewsMyHero

On today's ATRAB show, JJ and Steve had on Alex Fuentes of savehialeahpark.com. They were discussing Hialeah's future. I love the idea that Steve Byk proposed for Hialeah Park. If you didn't catch the show, Steve suggested that Hialeah be used as a Breeders' Cup venue every 3 years. The plant obviously needs renovation, but what a great place to host a BC. Gulfstream can't host a BC any more since they turned the place into a casino, and they no longer have the seating capacity. Santa Anita and Hollywood are going synthetic, and I think the BC will stay away from the synthetic surfaces for the time being. That eliminates 3 venues that have been used multiple times in the past. Hialeah would make sense for a lot of reasons. It's big enough to handle the crowds, great fall weather, and, according to most horseman, an outstanding main track and turf course. I have never been to Hialeah Park, but I know of its history and its place among the great tracks of America. I am hopeful that such a beautiful facility can be resurrected and saved from the wrecking ball. I hope you're on to something Steve.

Welcome to the forum here. I love your name! He's my hero, too. Did you know that Slew's seven furlong record still stands at Hialeah.

[MisterB]

Just another track to loose money

I never had a problem in Hialeah.... I walked around the neighborhood at will... my chropractor was on the opposite side of the front entrance and my favority restaurant is across the street from the stable entrance... my car would go to the shop a few blocks away and I would walk back to the track. Calder is not in a very good neighborhood either... just ask about the head they found around the corner... even Gulfstream's neighborhood has problems... I live a few blocks away (3 blocks really) and have heard gunshots at night...

traffic is a pain in the butt everywhere... getting much worse around GP.
I would not want a BC at Calder... it's way too sterile!

Hialeah was soooo beautiful... I rode my pony up and down the tree lined bridle path thinking of all the great horses that walked the same path.. the paddock enclosures are covered in Ivy.. the turf course was one of the best in the country.... With the right people envolved Hialeah could easily return to its grandness! but the major problem is Brunnetti... he wants it his way or no way.... very sad!

and the entire drive in (about 2 blocks in length) is lined with gardinea bushes! just beautiful and extremely fragrant... oh and the huge cypress at the end of the drive.... the building has releifs of jocks helmets and whips, jock boots and horse heads all over! and you saw the staircase!!

[ELA]

I think some people are missing the point to Steve' idea. I don't think this is an issue as to whether or not you liked Hialeah, the neighborhood or the hotdogs on the 2nd floor of the grandstand. In my opinion, Steve's idea is about leveraging the potential that exists if, and only if, the industry works together. This is merely an opportunity to think outside the box, perhaps in a nontraditional way, which could potentially benefit the industry in a way that other ideas have never done before.

The "big picture" here might offer opportunities to the industry and sport, communitites, owners, trainers, and much more -- as opposed to this track being turned into condo's, office space, retail, etc. and having Brunetti do some sophisticated estate planning (which is without question a factor here). An idea like this creates potential synergies that do not exist when thinking myopically.

I think one needs to experience a paradigm shift in -- what might be considered -- traditional thinking.

Eric

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by ELA

I think some people are missing the point to Steve' idea. I don't think this is an issue as to whether or not you liked Hialeah, the neighborhood or the hotdogs on the 2nd floor of the grandstand. In my opinion, Steve's idea is about leveraging the potential that exists if, and only if, the industry works together. This is merely an opportunity to think outside the box, perhaps in a nontraditional way, which could potentially benefit the industry in a way that other ideas have never done before.

The "big picture" here might offer opportunities to the industry and sport, communitites, owners, trainers, and much more -- as opposed to this track being turned into condo's, office space, retail, etc. and having Brunetti do some sophisticated estate planning (which is without question a factor here). An idea like this creates potential synergies that do not exist when thinking myopically.

I think one needs to experience a paradigm shift in -- what might be considered -- traditional thinking.

Eric

Well said Eric.
But the prospect of Stronach, Churchill, Brunetti, politicians, and the Breeders Cup/NTRA people working together is a longshot. Word is that Brunetti never paid Magna for the lease when Hialeah ran the meet at Gulfstream a few years back.
Personally I loved training at Hialeah despite the dismal job that Brunetti did running the place. The takeout was a joke, the barns were falling down around the horses, etc. Supposedly there are issues with asbestos in the grandstand that have to be dealt with if there is any renovations to be done there.
At the end of last meet after a horse would get a check we would pull the $$$ out of the account asap because of worries that they would be no good.
If Brunetti wasn't part of the equation I would think that this idea may have a punchers chance of success. But I would not blame anyone for not wanting to deal with him.

Originally Posted by ELA

I think some people are missing the point to Steve' idea. I don't think this is an issue as to whether or not you liked Hialeah, the neighborhood or the hotdogs on the 2nd floor of the grandstand. In my opinion, Steve's idea is about leveraging the potential that exists if, and only if, the industry works together. This is merely an opportunity to think outside the box, perhaps in a nontraditional way, which could potentially benefit the industry in a way that other ideas have never done before.

The "big picture" here might offer opportunities to the industry and sport, communitites, owners, trainers, and much more -- as opposed to this track being turned into condo's, office space, retail, etc. and having Brunetti do some sophisticated estate planning (which is without question a factor here). An idea like this creates potential synergies that do not exist when thinking myopically.

I think one needs to experience a paradigm shift in -- what might be considered -- traditional thinking.

Eric

I've experienced enough of a paradigm shift at Gulfsteam to last me a lifetime, thank you very much. While i realize the workers quarters, stables, track surface and palm meadows are great for all those involved. Sadly the customer has been taken out of the game. We all see things thru our own eyes, but this past weekend really ticked me and my racing buddy /owner of 50 years off big time. See , my weekend at Gulfstream thread.

[satan's twin]

I realize the whole idea is a pipe dream. With John Brunetti running the place, and the amount of dollars it would take to bring it back to its former glory, it's a huge longshot. Nothing wrong with dreaming though. I first came to know Hialeah Park after watching Seattle Slew win the Flamingo Stakes on TV in 1977. I was just a kid, but the place just looked magical. I rooted for Seattle Slew from then on, and watched the Flamingo Stakes every year after. Alydar won the 1978 renewal. Time for a Change defeated the 1/5 Devil's Bag in 1984. It was a major race with major players. Tracks have come and gone over the years, but this one was truly special.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by The Bid

Sounds like you and Gramps had some great times together

Me and Grandma and Aunt had great times together at Hialeah Every time I think of it, I think of her. What a wonderful place.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by SlewsMyHero

I realize the whole idea is a pipe dream. With John Brunetti running the place, and the amount of dollars it would take to bring it back to its former glory, it's a huge longshot. Nothing wrong with dreaming though. I first came to know Hialeah Park after watching Seattle Slew win the Flamingo Stakes on TV in 1977. I was just a kid, but the place just looked magical. I rooted for Seattle Slew from then on, and watched the Flamingo Stakes every year after. Alydar won the 1978 renewal. Time for a Change defeated the 1/5 Devil's Bag in 1984. It was a major race with major players. Tracks have come and gone over the years, but this one was truly special.

One of the last times I ever had with my grandma. I still have the program somewhere I think ("The Devil's at Hialeah").

[Storm Cadet]

Didn't they film "Let It Ride" at Hialeah in the 70's?

[ELA]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Well said Eric.
But the prospect of Stronach, Churchill, Brunetti, politicians, and the Breeders Cup/NTRA people working together is a longshot. Word is that Brunetti never paid Magna for the lease when Hialeah ran the meet at Gulfstream a few years back.
Personally I loved training at Hialeah despite the dismal job that Brunetti did running the place. The takeout was a joke, the barns were falling down around the horses, etc. Supposedly there are issues with asbestos in the grandstand that have to be dealt with if there is any renovations to be done there.
At the end of last meet after a horse would get a check we would pull the $$$ out of the account asap because of worries that they would be no good.
If Brunetti wasn't part of the equation I would think that this idea may have a punchers chance of success. But I would not blame anyone for not wanting to deal with him.

Absolutely Chuck. Without question. It's a monster longshot. I think it's worth a shot having Brunetti out of the equation, if that's what it takes in fact. But, I agree with you.

Eric

[SentToStud]

I loved Hialeah. But I can't see it coming back, especially with slots defeated in Dade County. Maybe the owners were holding back from selling or developing the property hoping for slots to pass which didn't happen.

Also, the trend of fewer T-bred tracks seems pretty clear. One of the NoCal tracks is shaky as far as continuing as well as Hollywood Park. Aksarben, DRC, Birmingham, Sportsman's, Hialeah, Garden State, Atlantic City Washington Park have all closed in the last 15-20 years, many within the past 10. Probably a couple I missed.

I find it amazing a couple new harness slots tracks have opened up. But the racing is just an excuse for slot machines. There are tons of harness tracks in Ontario and a friend of mine runs horses there. But there are many nights when the purses exceed the pools which are laughably low. I don't think they can last very long that way.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by sumitas

Go for it. Hialejah is like Saratoga. Beautiful and historic.

Anyone know if the Citation statue is still in place?



I was a regular at Hialeah Park in the late 1970's.

Just a random memory was a guy I saw on more than one occasion on the backside of the grandstand.

After apparently losing his $$ for the day, he would hold out his hat and sing a rendition of "The Impossible Dream."

In true Broadway "belter" style. He could be heard from over a hundred feet away. And he was pretty good. I gave him a $2 contribution on at least one occasion.