Hialeah-Gulfstream Honeymoon Over


I figured the honeymoon between Gulfstream and Hialeah parks would end sooner than later. Shortly after the first Hialeah at Gulfstream meeting, I learned each track charged the other owed money.
So I wasn't surprised when John J. Brunetti, Hialeah chairman of the board, announced last week that racing would resume at his track in 2001.
Gulfstream officials were surprised. "That's news to us," said Mike Tanner, Gulfstream's deputy director of communications. "They never told us. We read it in the paper." And Tanner added: "We had no signed contract. It was a year-to-year thing."
Brunetti only gave one reason for the change: "Last year, Gulfstream's turf course was unable to handle two 60-day meets, and all of the horsemen stabled at Hialeah preferred our racing strip."

However, the man often doesn't tell the whole story. Horsemen haven't been thrilled with the purses, claiming they are being shortchanged.
Just days before last year's meeting, Hialeah officials made a deal to conduct its dates at Gulfstream in what management of both tracks said demonstrated unity among the previous rivals. And, as expected, both attendance and handle increased significantly.
There was even talk that both owners, Frank Stronach and Brunetti, planned to jointly purchase Monmouth Park. Haven't heard anything lately about that idea, have you. Stronach, a smooth operator in his own right, probably saw the light just in time.
At least Brunetti has time to refurbish rundown Hialeah, which would cost millions to do the job right. But I'm sure he will spend the lowest amount possible to open the doors while continuing to charge the largest takeout in the industry. The past speaks for itself.
In 2001, when Gulfstream ends its 63-day meeting on March 16, Hialeah will open the next day and run through May 22. It could be the historic oval's last hurrah if Calder and Gulfstream officials keep their word to lengthen their meetings with the coming of deregulation.

The squeeze could put Hialeah out of business. Brunetti has only himself to blame.

The copyright of the article Hialeah-Gulfstream Honeymoon Over in Horse Racing is owned by Greg Melikov. Permission to republish Hialeah-Gulfstream Honeymoon Over in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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