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#1
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#2
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![]() i was very saddened when the decision was made to shut that track. it's always been beautiful, and historic.
would love to see it returned to it's former glory, complete with racing dates. perhaps a petition should be started to have the bc held there asap!! |
#3
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![]() I went while I was at Gulfstream Park. It's true what they say... you drive through some pretty rough neighborhoods, then turn on a street and enter a pure paradise of trees, architecture and racing. I can only imagine what it was like there when thriving... but even just a taste during a QH meet was enough for me.
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#4
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![]() Exquisite work by Barbara as always. Loved the one of the fox with the corn. The track is so beautiful, and I hope we get to see it as it once was, Thoroughbreds and all.
It's a shame the neighborhoods around Hialeah are so rough. I had heard that. Is there no way developers could do something to the point that things would be more appealing for travel to the track? Surely rough neighborhoods don't also have high property values. What's to stop them from buying up some of that land in a way that encourages growth in the area? |
#5
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![]() Actually, the neighborhoods around Hialeah are not "rough" (not by local standards, anyway) --they are working class neighborhoods, with most of the signs in Spanish, which is enough to freak out the average all-American doughball. It is basically the same neighborhood as around CD, just in Espanol.
Most of Hialeah is working class, and it and neighboring Medley (to the south) are packed with light industrial businesses and warehouses, with a lot of import/export businesses. It is not really an area ripe for redevelopment and gentrification. When Hialeah gets its casino, there could be some improvement in the very immediate area but, unlike the old days, it's crowd will be largely from the central and western parts of Miami-Dade County, most especially when gaming is established toward the beach. People from Boca, Broward, Aventura and Miami Beach who have no problem going to GP are NOT going to Hialeah. Period. So there is a very definite limit to the market--it will be largely Latin, and almost all from central and western Miami-Dade. There is no way to reinvent the old days from that. Brunetti can make a lot of money as a casino on that model, but horse racing can never be more than a sideshow. I've tried to explain this here before, having lived here for most of 50 years, but everybody else seems to think they know better. OK, whatever. |
#6
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![]() Quote:
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#7
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![]() Talk about tunnel vision.
__________________
Tom Cooley photo |
#8
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![]() They should try to make it the Saratoga of the south. So classy and beautifully majestic. There is no such thing as a rough neighborhood. When was the last time anyone was nervous about going to the track ? Inside most tracks is the roughest neighborhood most of you guys will ever be in.
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#9
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![]() Bought back pleasant memories. Beautiful facility. Was there in 1985 to see Dr. Carter lose their big older handicap race the Widener Handicap, I believe.
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#10
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![]() And this is based on what--something pulled out of your ass? It can't be your head, it's still up there.
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#11
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![]() Quote:
The idea of something in Hialeah in any way resembling Saratoga is laughable. Have you ever tried to stay in or anywhere near Hialeah? People here have no idea what the hell they are talking about. Hialeah is like a beautiful woman who has a psychotic ex-husband, 3 kids and 2 or 3 STDs. The more you know, the more you just want to run away, if you have any sense. |
#12
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#13
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![]() Quote:
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#14
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![]() Barbara
Thank you so much for allowing all of us to again see one of the planet's most wonderful places. It was my honor and privledge to be the voice of Hialeah from 1989 through 1994. I'l never forget the day that Bob Savage called and asked if I'd like to call the races. I was working my first weekend at a small track in Washington called Yakima Meadows. There was no way I could possibly say no to coming to South Florida. After three days at Yakima it was off to paradise. 3712 miles later I pulled into the parking lot at Hialeah. I can remember to this day the awe I felt when I began to look around. No one was there. I couldn't believe I was being given the opportunity to call races like The Flamingo and the Widener and so many others. Actually at the time I didn't know that I wouldn't "exactly" be calling "those" particular Stakes. You see the first year I worked there was 1989. That's the year that Mr. Brunetti attempted to compete and run simultaneously against Calder. The plan was to run 189 days. We made it 22. Before I ever stepped into the booth it was made clear to me that I would be calling the beginning and end of the meet. However, during the prime "Winter Dates" with all the great Graded Stakes Tom Durkin would return from New York to man the booth. I couldn't have cared less. I just wanted to part of Hialeah. After any day of racing I wouldn't want to leave. I'd sit in my booth, put my feet on the desk, pop open a cold one and let the warm Miami winter air waif in. When I'd walk out in the twilight I would almost always stop and see something new and magnificent each and every day. As it turned out Tom would never return and after a seemingly endless time of closure, I returned in 1991 as the permanent voice. I can't remember too many of the greats that I was honored to call but two come to mind. Forever Whirl and Pistols and Roses. The worst professional decision I ever made was to leave Hialeah in 1994 and take the job at Golden Gate Fields. I never imagined I'd miss the Grand Dame as much as I did. I treasure every day I spent at Hialeah. I thank the Brunetti family for putting me on the race calling map. Great job Barbara. Thank you so very much. VJS |
#15
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![]() Barbara never disappoints. Hialeah is a gem.
Thanks Vic for sharing your thoughts. |