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Slideshow: Hialeah Park

Spend a day visiting Hialeah Park.

Racing, Gaming on Florida Legislative Agenda

The Florida legislature began a two-month session Jan. 10 with a big part of its focus on a gaming bill that could lead to the first all-games casinos in the state along with other changes that would impact racing.

Gulfstream Sets Quarter Horse Race Dec. 31

Going against a request from Thoroughbred horsemen, Gulfstream Park has scheduled a Quarter Horse event to open its Dec. 31 program, the first such race in the history of the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track.

Jockeys Get Base Fee Increase at Hialeah

Jockeys riding during Hialeah's Quarter Horse meeting have new fee schedule of $65-$105, depending on the purse.

Hialeah to Include Thoroughbred Simulcasts

Hialeah Park will open its third Quarter Horse racing meet Dec. 10, and unlike its first two seasons it will include Thoroughbred simulcasts.

New Hialeah Breeders' Cup Bill Introduced

A bill introduced Nov. 3 in the Florida legislature could allow Hialeah Park to again hold annual Thoroughbred meets, provided that it becomes a site for the Breeders' Cup.

Appeals Court Upholds Hialeah Casino

Historic Hialeah Park won another court round in its effort to match casinos at Gulfstream Park and Calder Casino & Race Course.

Hialeah Hires Former Gulfstream President

Hialeah Park has hired Steve Calabro, a former Gulfstream Park president, for its new position of director of gaming, and believes the courts will uphold its plans to open a casino with slots and a poker room.

Hialeah Breeders' Cup Plan on Hold for Now

The Florida legislature will end its 2011 regular session May 6, and it appears language authorizing a special Breeders' Cup permit for Hialeah Park will have to wait a year.

Despite Suits, Hialeah Moves on Slots Parlor

Hialeah Park is moving ahead with plans to build a casino even though three other southeast Florida pari-mutuel outlets are continuing with a lawsuit that challenges its legal right to have slot machines.

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.

Ridiculous Predictions for the New Year

Here are 10 off-the-wall predictions for 2011. The way things go in horse racing, there's probably a chance one or two of them will come to fruition.

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State Grants Slots License to Hialeah Park

The Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering Dec. 21 issued a license for slot machines to Hialeah Park. Gaming could be offered in November 2011, officials said.

Quiet Opening for Hialeah Park

The South Florida track's second Quarter Horse began Dec. 3 without much fanfare.

Hialeah Opening Second Quarter Horse Meet

The South Florida track is also making plans for Thoroughbred races and a casino beginning with the 2011-12 season.

Court Upholds Hialeah Provision in 2010 Law

A state court in Tallahassee, Fla., Nov. 22 ruled in favor of Hialeah Park on one count of a lawsuit that challenges its legal right to build a casino with Las Vegas-style slot machines.

Hialeah Cuts Takeout Rate to 12% for All Bets

Hialeah Park, a racetrack traditionally known for its high pari-mutuel takeout, has greatly reduced it to 12% across the board.

Court Revives Minor's Hialeah Lawsuit

Minor lawsuit contends city of Hialeah, not Brunetti, owns Hialeah Park.

Brunetti Seeks Answers to Hialeah Questions

Hialeah owner John Brunetti said he needs answers to questions before he starts making improvements--and spending more money--at the South Florida racetrack.

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.

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.

Hialeah's QH Meet Ends With Mixed Results

Hialeah Park ended its first Quarter Horse meet Feb. 3, with track owner and chairman John Brunetti Sr. saying it will be up to Florida's politicians to determine whether the track will hold another meet.

Hialeah Park Seeks to Meet Purse Guarantee

Hialeah Park is entering the final two weeks of its first Quarter Horse meet with pari-mutuel handle owner John Brunetti calls "a disappointment," and with a need to catch up on its guarantee of $4 million in purses.

Stalled Florida Law Puts Tracks on Standby

Florida's Thoroughbred industry will enter 2010 without the expanded racing, other gaming, and tax breaks it thought it had gained during this year's session of the state legislature.

Hialeah, Gulfstream Battle Over Racing Permit

Gulfstream Park and Hialeah Park are battling over the Thoroughbred racing permit the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering took away from Hialeah in 2003.

Cronin Named to New Post at Gulfstream Park

Mike Cronin has been appointed assistant to the president for marketing at Gulfstream Park, the Florida racetrack announced Dec. 1.

Overflow Crowd Ushers in Hialeah Park Meet

Hialeah Park opened its Quarter Horse meet on Nov. 28 before an overflow crowd that track officials estimated at 26,874, based on turnstile counts at one of the entrances and the number of cars in parking lots.

Horses Arrive For Reopening of Hialeah

Quarter Horses began arriving at Hialeah Park Nov. 12 and within several days they will begin training for the track's 40-day meet that will begin Nov. 28.

Dunn Joins Gulfstream Management Team

Ken Dunn, formerly of Calder Casino & Race Course, has joined the Gulfstream Park management team, the South Florida racetrack announced Nov. 2.

Hialeah Receives Approval for Dates

The Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering Oct. 27 approved Hialeah Park's application to hold a 40-day Quarter Horse meet beginning Nov. 28.

Hialeah Still Awaiting Approval for Dates

Hialeah Park has set Nov. 14 as the date for the start of arrival of Quarter Horses for a 40-day meet it plans to run beginning Nov. 28. But as of Oct. 22, the Hialeah, Fla., track was still waiting for the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering to approve its application for racing dates.

Lies Named Hialeah Track Announcer

John Lies will be the track announcer for the upcoming Quarter Horse racing season at Hialeah Park in Florida.

Hialeah Starts Clearing the Way for Racing

Unlike a year ago at this time, you can stand at the rail at Hialeah Park and see the lake in the infield and the familiar flamingos. You also are next to the dirt track that Hialeah Park president and owner John J. Brunetti says could be ready for Quarter Horses before mid-October.

Abbey Named Hialeah Park Racing Secretary

Sam Abbey has been named racing secretary for the Quarter Horse meet that begins Nov. 28 at Hialeah Park.

Hialeah Park Files Applications for Meets

Hialeah Park has filed applications for Quarter Horse racing dates, telling the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering it plans to run a 20-day meet late this year and another 20-day meet early in 2010.

Brunetti Sees Red Ink for Hialeah Park

Hialeah Park chairman John Brunetti Sr. is not optimistic the track's first Quarter Horse meet will be a financial success.

Hialeah Plans Quarter Horse Meet for 2009-10

The Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association and Hialeah Park announced Sept. 4 that the Hialeah, Fla., track will hold its first Quarter Horse meet from Nov. 28, 2009 through Feb. 2, 2010. However, Hialeah Park had not applied for those dates or any other Quarter Horse race dates as of Sept. 4, said Alexis Lambert, a spokeswoman for the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering.

Florida Gaming Compact Signed; May Change

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe of Florida signed a gaming compact Aug. 31 that has some significant changes from a gaming law Crist and the Florida legislature approved earlier this year.

Deadline Looms for Florida Gaming

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe of Florida are nearing their Aug. 31 deadline to approve a Gaming Compact, which would trigger a new law that would provide economic benefits for the state's Thoroughbred industry and for that tribe's casinos.

Brunetti: Plans to Reopen Hialeah Progressing

Hialeah Park will be back in business "as soon as possible" with plans to eventually add Thoroughbred racing, officials of the Florida racetrack said June 8.

Deadline Approaches on Florida Gaming Issues

The Florida Legislature will end its annual regular session May 1, and as of April 28 the House and Senate had not resolved major gaming issues including whether the Seminole Tribe of Florida should be able to keep blackjack and baccarat tables at its casinos.

Owner: Legislation Key to 'New' Hialeah

Hialeah Park probably will begin Quarter Horse racing in 2010 only if the Florida Legislature makes three major changes in state racing laws, the track's owner John Brunetti said April 15.

Minor Files Suit Over Hialeah

Technology entrepreneur Halsey Minor on Feb. 9 filed a civil suit that maintains John Brunetti, by not holding racing at Hialeah Park since 2001, is in default on agreements under which he purchased the historic race track.

Brunetti Rejects Minor's Hialeah Offer

John Brunetti has rejected technology entrepreneur Halsey Minor's first official offer to buy Hialeah Park.

Minor Active in Pursuit of Hialeah Park

Prospective Hialeah Park buyer Halsey Minor has sent consultants and accountants to examine the closed racetrack, and Minor and Hialeah owner John Brunetti say they are planning more talks on a possible sale.

Hialeah's Brunetti Meets With Minor

Hialeah Park owner John Brunetti and prospective buyer Halsey Minor held their first meeting Aug. 6, with Brunetti later saying "we will have another meeting to see if our common interests are strong enough to continue going forward."

Hialeah Redux: Beyond Brunetti, Minor

Hialeah Park owner John Brunetti is looking forward to meeting with prospective buyer Halsey Minor about what he calls multiple "hurdles" to returning racing to the historic track that last held a meet in 2001.

Brunetti: Minor 'Well-Intentioned'

John Brunetti, the owner of Hialeah Park, said he has spoken "briefly" to Halsey Minor about the technology entrepreneur's dream to buy and reopen the South Florida track. But even though the two men have agreed to talk again in early August, Brunetti told Minor he "isn't really interested in selling yet" because he still hopes to resurrect Hialeah himself.

Minor's Dream: Resurrect Hialeah Park

Halsey Minor has a dream. The technology entrepreneur, multimillionaire, and Thoroughbred owner wants to purchase, renovate, and return racing to historic Hialeah Park, the Southern Florida track that has been closed since 2001.

Hialeah Close to 'Death Knell' After Ruling

Shuttered to live racing since 2001, historic Hialeah Park in South Florida could soon lose its operating permit.