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A big step toward making racing more inviting would be to upgrade our racetracks.

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THS: LeComte Stakes

Jason, Tom, and Rich Nielson of twinspires.com preview the LeComte S. (gr. III) and an important Gulfstream Park allowance race.

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And They're Off: Eclipse Awards Edition

Lenny and Steve discuss the Eclipse Awards, Kentucky Derby prep races, Gulfstream Park, Life At Ten and Larry Jones.

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Jessica Is Back Tops Sugar Swirl Stakes

Jessica Is Back, winner of the Princess Rooney (gr. I) at Calder last summer, heads a well-balanced field of 10 fillies and mares entered in the $100,000 Sugar Swirl Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 15 at Gulfstream Park.

Slideshow: Week In Photos: January 9, 2011

View the events from an exciting weekend of racing!

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Gulfstream: Total Handle Up 17.2% Thus Far

Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino reported strong gains in business for the first five days of its 2011 meet, which began Jan. 5. Handle thus far is up 17.2% in total.

Calder Says It Will Race Year-Round

Calder Casino & Race Course has gone on the offensive in southeast Florida's battle over racing dates by telling state regulators it intends to start racing year-round.

Black N Beauty Sharp in Gulfstream Victory

Zayat Stables' Black N Beauty probably earned himself a ticket to the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) with a solid victory in a $51,500 allowance test for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park Jan. 7.

$5.7M Wagered on Opening Day at Gulfstream

Gulfstream Park, which opened its 2011 season under sunny skies and a temperate 78 degrees Jan. 5, handled wagers totaling $5.7 million for its nine-race program.

Gulfstream Willing to Negotiate Over Dates

Gulfstream Park would be willing to consider a partial change in southeast Florida's racing calendar, a top official of Gulfstream's parent MI Developments.

Bloodbath Looming on Florida Racing Dates?

The biggest issue at Calder Casino & Race Course Jan. 4, closing day of its 2010-11 meet, was a fast-brewing and potentially bitter dispute with Gulfstream Park over southeast Florida's attractive December racing dates.

Plenty of Changes for Gulfstream Meet

Gulfstream Park will open its 2011 racing meet Jan. 5 with a new Sunday date for the Florida Derby (gr. I), other changes in its stakes schedule, and new multi-race bets highlighted by a 10-cent only Pick 6.

Gulfstream Plans Later Start on Some Fridays

Gulfstream Park is considering a 3 p.m. first post time for the last six Fridays of its 2011 racing season, according to the track's president and general manager.

Report: Stronach to Give Up MID Real Estate

The Reuters News Service is reporting that owner-breeder Frank Stronach is working out a deal in which he would relinquish control of his real estate company in exchange for some of its racetrack assets.

Gulfstream Making Betting More Affordable

Gulfstream Park on Dec. 16 announced its 2011 wagering menu that will include its first Pick 5, with a 50-cent minimum bet, and a major reduction of its Pick 6 minimum bet from $2 to 10 cents.

Nicoletti, Pacheco Named Gulfstream TV Hosts

Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino announced Nov. 18 that Ron Nicoletti and Jessica Pacheco will serve as hosts and analysts for the 2011 meet beginning Jan. 5.

Minor Makes Cash Offer on All MID Assets

Halsey Minor has made an offer to buy all MI Developments assets for $300 million to $320 million.

Stronach Offers to Buy All MID Stock

An entity controlled by the family of Frank Stronach has offered to purchase any or all of the outstanding stock it doesn't already own in racetrack operating company MI Developments.

Split Verdict in Magna Simulcast Fees Case

A federal bankruptcy judge has ruled that simulcast providers owed money from tracks operated by bankrupt Magna Entertainment are entitled to funds they paid bettors but not reimbursement for fees and commissions.

Gulfstream Night Racing Finding Some Support

Gulfstream Park could have some important political support in its goal to change a state law that prohibits Thoroughbred racing after 7 p.m. if there are benefits for other pari-mutuel sports.

Bonuses Tied to Black-Eyed Susan Stakes

MI Developments announced Sept. 7 the Black-Eyed Susan 2.2, a bonus program similar to its Preakness 5.5 bonus unveiled in last August.

Higher Purses, Lights on Tap at Gulfstream

Gulfstream Park will have more money coming from slot machines and poker for purses, more betting stations, and a larger betting menu for the 2011 meet that will also feature the installation of lights.

Florida Derby Back up to $1 Million

Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino announced Sept. 2 its richest stakes schedule ever for 3-year-olds, highlighted by the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I).

More Staffing Changes at Gulfstream Park

In the latest management change at Gulfstream Park, media relations executive Caton Bredar and marketing executive Mike Cronin are no longer at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track effective June 10.

Dunn Leaves Gulfstream Post; to be Advisor

MI Developments on May 27 told employees of Gulfstream Park that effective May 28 Ken Dunn will no longer be president and general manager of the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track.

Magna Reorganization Plan Implemented

The bankruptcy reorganization plan for Magna Entertainment that includes the transfer of Santa Anita, Gulfstream, and Golden Gate to MID Developments has been implemented, effective at 5:01 p.m. (EDT) April 30.

MEC Reorganization Plan Approved by Judge

A Delaware Bankruptcy Court judge April 26 confirmed a reorganization plan submitted by Magna Entertainment Corp., parent company MI Developments, and a committee of unsecured MEC creditors.

Gulfstream Park Handle Grew 4.2%

The South Florida racetrack bucked the national trend of declining handle. Bad weather in the northeast and heavy rains in the West helped make the Gulfstream signal more attractive.

A 'Done Deal' to Help Florida Tracks

The Florida Legislature passed a bill with long-sought benefits for Thoroughbred racetracks, including tax breaks, more slot machines, and extended poker room hours. The governor is expected to sign the bill into law.

Stakes Added to Gulfstream's Closing Day Card

Gulfstream Park has added a series of six state-bred stakes races to its closing day card on April 24.

Crist, Seminoles Agree to Compact

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida said April 6 that they have agreed to a Gaming Compact for the Seminoles' seven casinos in the state.

Keeneland Again Tops HANA Racetrack Rankings

Keeneland in Kentucky has again finished number one in the Horseplayers Association of North America track ratings released April 1.

Calder Has Agreements on Purses, Calendar

Calder Casino & Race Course is preparing to open its eight-month racing season on April 25 with its purse contract and all other racing contracts and calendars in place.

Familiar Rivals Hook Up Again in Skip Away

Jay Em Ess Stable's 7-year-old gelding Arson Squad and Circle E Racing and partners' 6-year-old Timber Reserve will meet for the third time in the $125,000 Skip Away Stakes (gr. III), the April 3 feature at Gulfstream Park.

Bearpath, 19-1, Scores Pan American

Lothenbach Stables' Bearpath stalked pacesetter Brother Nick for 11 furlongs, took over inside the eighth-pole, then held off favorite Never On Sunday to win the Pan American Stakes (gr. IIIT) March 27 at Gulfstream Park .

Mott, Swettenham Eye Orchid Stakes Repeat

Trainer Bill Mott sent out Swettenham Stud's Dress Rehearsal to capture the $150,000 Orchid Stakes at Gulfstream Park last year and will have the likely favorite in 2010 with another runner, Changing Skies, for the same owner

Winchester, Brass Hat Highlight Pan American

Winchester will be the favorite in the $150,000 Pan American Stakes (gr. IIIT) March 27 at Gulfstream Park, a race that also will mark the season debut of Fred Bradley's remarkable 9-year-old gelding Brass Hat.

Calder Barn Quarantine Lifted

The Florida Department of Agriculture on March 23 lifted a quarantine on a Calder Race Course barn that had been the stable for a horse that died March 22.

Calder Lifting Ban on Horses

Calder Casino & Race Course said it is lifting a ban on horses shipping into and out of its property, effective 12:00 a.m. the morning of March 23.

Calder Horse Dies; Barn Under Quarantine

A horse that was suffering from an apparent neurological illness died on the morning of March 22 at Calder Casino & Race Course, Calder officials said.

Sick Calder Horse Affects Gulfstream Card

Management at Gulfstream Park canceled the first and sixth races March 22 due to a temporary quarantine of horses stabled at Calder Race Course.

D' Funnybone Rolls to Swale Victory

If there was any doubt about D' Funnybone being the top 3-year-old sprinter in the nation, those questions were answered emphatically on March 20.

Unrivaled Belle Has No Match in Rampart

Unrivaled Belle, benefitting from a poor break by Venezuelan shipper Bambera, took advantage of an uncontested lead and sailed home to a 1 3/4-length victory in the $150,000 Rampart Stakes (gr. III) March 20 at Gulfstream

Devil May Care Rebounds in Bonnie Miss

Overlooked at odds of 7-1, Glencrest Farm's Devil May Care took over at the top of the stretch and bounded away to a 2 3/4-length victory in the $200,000 Bonnie Miss Stakes (gr. II) March 20 at Gulfstream Park.

Barbaro's Brother a Step Away from Derby

Barbaro's full brother could be one strong run away from the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Bambera Adds International Flavor to Rampart

Venezuelan star Bambera, who is expected to take on undefeated Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom Invitational next month, adds intrigue to the field of eight selected for the $150,000 Rampart Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park.

D' Funnybone Looks Strong in Swale

Paul Pompa Jr.'s D' Funnybone handled a field of 3-year-olds at the same distance and over the same Gulfstream Park strip last month in his season debut, and now the colt is favored to do the same in the $150,000 Swale Stakes

Christine Daae Gets Tested in Bonnie Miss

Christine Daae will try to prove she is worthy of the lofty expectations when she faces a solid field of runners that includes graded stakes winners Amen Hallelujah and Devil May Care in the $200,000 Bonnie Miss Stakes

Mr. Fantasy Ready For Action

Mr. Fantasy, winner of last year's Withers Stakes (gr. III), makes his comeback after a nearly 11-month layoff March 18 in an optional claimer at Gulfstream Park.

HRTV To Be On-Site at Florida Derby

HRTV hosts to provide extensive pre-race coverage of the Florida Derby. HRTV's "Pursuit of the Crown" program will also be aired from Gulfstream the following day.