Located in the city of Hialeah, Florida, lies the historic Hialeah Park Race Track, often known as the Hialeah Race Track or simply as “Hialeah Park.” On the east side of Hialeah, the 40-square-block property spans the stretch of East 22nd Street from the south all the way up to the north end of the city’s East 32nd Street.
On March 5, 1979, it was listed to the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior. It was given even another entry in 1988. Palm Avenue and East 21st Street are the Hialeah Metrorail Station’s location for access to the Hialeah Park Race Track, which is located near the track.
What Is The History Of The Hialeah Park Race Track In Miami Dade
Hialeah Park Race Track is one of southern Florida’s oldest recreational attractions. Glenn Curtiss and his partner, Missouri cattleman James H. Bright, constructed Hialeah Park greyhound racing track in Hialeah in 1922 as part of their development of the town. The Miami Kennel Club administered Hialeah Park.
On January 25, 1925, the Miami Jockey Club opened Hialeah’s thoroughbred racing track. Joseph E. Widener, a wealthy Philadelphia horseman, purchased the property in 1930 following the devastation wrought by the 1926 hurricane.
Kentucky thoroughbred racehorse breeder Col. Edward R. Bradley as an investor, Widener commissioned architect Lester W. Geisler to construct a new grandstand and Renaissance Revival clubhouse, as well as native-flora and fauna-themed gardens and a flamingo-stocked lake in the infield.
On January 14, 1932, Hialeah Park was inaugurated as one of the world’s most magnificent racetracks and the Audubon Society even recognised the park as a sanctuary for the American Flamingo after it became a popular spot for these majestic birds.
Winston Churchill, himself a fan of horse racing, appeared at Hialeah Park in 1946 not long after the end of the second world war during a tour of the United States and in 1979, the National Register of Historic Places recognised Hialeah Park Racetrack.
The Secretary of the Interior determined on January 12th, 1988, that the Hialeah Park race track was eligible for designation as a National Historic Landmark.
Why Did Hialeah Race Track Close
Due to increased competition from Gulfstream Park and Calder Race Course as well as a change in state law, Hialeah Park was forced to discontinue holding racing events in 2001. As a result, Hialeah Park’s owner, John Brunetti, decided to shut it down to the public. On May 22, 2001, the filly Cheeky Miss won the final Hialeah thoroughbred race.
For 3-year-old horses, the Flamingo Stakes was a crucial step toward the Kentucky Derby, and the previously prestigious Widener Handicap was the East Coast equivalent of the Santa Anita Handicap in California, which was run at the track.
Hialeah’s thoroughbred authorization was cancelled in 2004 by the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering because the city had not held races in the preceding two years.
Florida Marlins Ballpark could have been built on the site of an old abandoned park in Hialeah, Florida, in 2006.
Racetrack owner John Brunetti was granted a racing authorization in March 2009. There will be a new casino built as part of the refurbishment and expansion planned by EwingCole, a design firm. Midway through 2009, work on a $40–90 million repair project got under way.
Slot machines and Quarter Horse races at Hialeah Park were approved by the Florida legislature on May 7, 2009 as part of an agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. On November 28, 2009, the historic racetrack reopened for quarter horse racing exclusively.
As part of an agreement that allowed for two calendar seasons of racing, the park installed slot machines in January 2010 and until the 2nd of February, 2010, the races were still going on. Only a small fraction of the park has been restored and an additional $30 million is required to complete this initial phase of the project.
As part of the $1 billion rehabilitation proposal, which also featured a hotel, restaurants, casinos, retail outlets, and a movie theatre, the immediate vicinity was completely redeveloped.
How Many Acres Is Hialeah Race Track
Hialeah Park Racing And Casino in South Florida, stands within approximately 200 acres of lush landscape and old historic architecture and efforts to preserve Hialeah Park’s historic status were raised in June 2010 because of the planned construction on the site, which compromised the park’s eligibility as a National Historic Landmark.
A new Brunetti casino opened on August 14th, 2013, at Hialeah Park, where the winter Quarter Horse racing meets will continue to be held.