Gulfstream Park: Racing Against Time


A changing Gulfstream Park is racing against time to open the 2005 meeting with as little inconvenience as possible to fans.

While the massive renovation won't be completed until late next year, surfaces for the enlarged 1 1/8 mile-main track and the expanded turf course are expected to be ready for racing on opening day Jan. 3.

However, clubhouse and grandstand facilities will only be temporary structures during the 86-day meeting. When the project is completed, the air-conditioned clubhouse will exceed 300,000 square feet.

The South Florida track will offer 47 stakes, including 30 graded events, worth $8,435,000. One big change: the $1 million Florida Derby will be staged three weeks later than usual. The Grade 1 race at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds on the Triple Crown trail is April 2.

"Saturday Spectacular" cards will be presented each month during the season. Sixteen graded stakes will be divided among the first four Saturdays of the month through April.

"Everyone loves big event days, and by packaging some of our most prominent events in this manner, we will produce some amazing race cars," said David F. Bailey, director of racing.

In addition, the third annual Sunshine Millions, which pits Florida-breds against their California counterparts in a one-day series of races at Gulfstream and sister track Santa Anita Park, is scheduled Jan. 29.

Gulfstream will host the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic, the $500,000 Filly and Mare Turf, the $300,000 Filly and Mare Sprint and the $250,000 Dash.

On Jan. 8, the first Saturday of 2005, will feature three stakes worth $325,000, including the $125,000 Aventura at 7 ½ furlongs for 3-year-olds.

Six stakes worth $1.15 million is scheduled for Feb. 5, including the $500,000 (Grade 1) Donn Handicap 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds and up.

On March 5, five stakes worth $1.05 million will include a pair of Grade 2 races worth $300,000 each: the Fountain of Youth Stakes at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds and the Gulfstream Park Handicap at 1 3/16 miles for 3-year-olds and up.

Five stakes, including the Florida Derby, worth $1.5 million are scheduled for April 2.

The Aventura and Fountain of Youth, previously 1 1/16 miles each, will be contested at 1 1/8 miles to accommodate the reconfiguration of the main track.

"I think the 3-year-old series provides a great opportunity for horsemen with Triple Crown hopefuls to test their runners on a gradual basis, with both competition and distance increasing as the season advances," said Scott Savin, track president and general manager.
The copyright of the article Gulfstream Park: Racing Against Time in Horse Racing is owned by Greg Melikov. Permission to republish Gulfstream Park: Racing Against Time in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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