Wednesday, August 19 2009

Revenues Rising at Gulfstream Park

While a sputtering economic climate has left nearby competitors floundering, both the casino and simulcast-racing businesses at Gulfstream Park are registering significant increases over last year’s numbers.

Gulfstream Park’s casinos rang up a second-quarter slot-win gain of 8.3%, with coin-in growing 3.5%.

Thursday, August 13 2009

Zenyatta Gets a Free Ride to the Donn, Too

Gulfstream Park added the name of the great western-based racemare Zenyatta to the list of superstar nominees whose fees have been waived to the 2010 Donn Handicap.

Zenyatta joins the 3-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra as well as classic winners Mine That Bird and Summer Bird and Florida Derby winner/Saratoga record-holder Quality Road as horses whose Donn candidacy has been paid for by Gulfstream Park.

Tuesday, August 11 2009

Another 13 Tenants Announced for The Village at Gulfstream Park; 45 in All, and Counting

Forest City Enterprises announced the names of another 13 restaurants and stores – ranging from steak houses to a surf shop – that will take up residence at The Village at Gulfstream.

The Village is expected to have its grand opening Feb. 11, the Thursday after Super Bowl XLIV, which will be played in nearby Dolphin Stadium, about nine miles due west of Gulfstream Park.

Racing’s Big 4 Get Free Ride to 2010 Donn Handicap

Gulfstream Park took the rare step Wednesday of waiving nomination fees for Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra, Summer Bird and Quality Road to next year’s Donn Handicap.

“Regardless of whether or not these four superstars meet in the Travers, we want them to have the opportunity of meeting in the biggest race for older horses this winter,” said Racing Operations Manager Bernie Hettel.

Saturday, August 01 2009

Reigning Florida Derby Winner on Monday’s Spa Card

"Tick tock.

While racing gets into stride at Saratoga, it won’t be long before the leaves on the trees in upstate New York turn and cooler climes are at hand.

This coming Wednesday, opening day at Gulfstream Park is 150 days away.

Friday, July 03 2009

Fund Established to Help Grandchildren of Gulfstream Clerk of Scales

A fund has been established to help the two teenage children of Lisa Kotula, the daughter of Gulfstream Clerk of Scales Victor Sanchez.

Ms. Kortula passed away Thursday after suffering from a long illness. She was a week away from turning 43.

Thursday, June 18 2009

Gulfstream Park Participating in Share Our Strength’s Stop-Hunger Project

Gulfstream Park will be one of the participating vendors in Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation (Greater Fort Lauderdale-South Palm Beach) event, to be held at the Broward County Convention Center Thursday, June 25.

The region’s finest chefs, including Gulfstream Park’s Kas Willis (left), will be participating in the benefit event. Proceeds, in their entirety, bring food to South Florida’s more-than 350,000 hungry children, to where they live, learn and play.

Just 200 Days Until the Next Live Meet Opens at Gulfstream Park

Wednesday, June 17, is the 200-day mark leading up to the Jan. 3 opening of Gulfstream Park’s 2010 live race meeting.

The race meeting will conclude Friday, April 23. Racing will be conducted on a Wednesday through Sunday basis.

Next winter will be a busy winter in Broward and Dade counties. Gulfstream Park is formulating plans to compliment the Feb. 7 Super Bowl, which for the 10th time will be held in Dade County. The 2010 venue will be Dolphin Stadium (aka, until the big game, “LandShark Stadium”) in Miami Gardens.

Friday, June 05 2009

Gulfstream Park Pledges $20,000 to Charities Helping Victims of Paralysis

Gulfstream Park announced today its pledge to donate $10,000 to both the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Charities – Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.

The Jockeys Fund was established by Magna Entertainment Corp., owner of Gulfstream Park, the NTRA and other racing organizations to help all former jockeys who have been permanently paralyzed due to a race-riding accident.

Friday, April 24 2009

Significant Across-the-Board Gains at Gulfstream Park

From the racetrack to the casino to the dining room, Gulfstream Park recorded across-the-board revenue increases in all facets of its operations at the 2009 meeting.

Its 67th meeting concluded Thursday.

“Our thanks go to the horsemen and the jockeys, and mostly to our guests and our employees for a sensational meeting,” said Gulfstream Park President and General Manager Bill Murphy. “We were lucky with the weather, no doubt about that, but you have the strong sense that our longtime guests have regained their familiarity and comfort level with the property.”

Thursday, April 23 2009

Alternate State Steward Basil Bardakjy Passes Away

Basil Bardakjy, alternate state steward at Gulfstream Park, passed away after a long illness Wednesday evening. He was 80.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, from 4-7 p.m., at the Vista Funeral Home, 14200 NW 57th Ave., in Miami Lakes.

Survivors are his daughter, Suzanne Hicks, and his son, Michael Bardakjy; four grandchildren, Ian, Dean, Collin and Sydney; and two great grandchildren, Blane and Elle. He was predeceased by his wife, Beverly.

Wednesday, April 22 2009

Barn Notes 4-22-2009

Pletcher & Lezcano Seal 2009 Gulfstream Meet Titles

Trainer Todd Pletcher will win a sixth straight Gulfstream Park meet championship after sending out one winner on Sunday to take the lead by one in the standings over Ken McPeek with two days to go before closing on Thursday.

McPeek led the standings for much of the season until recent weeks while Pletcher’s powerful stable picked up momentum. The number of starters were decidedly in Pletcher’s favor in the final days and he went into Wednesday’s card leading 34-33.