Gulfstream Park, scheduled to open Jan. 4.
South Florida's Thoroughbred tracks Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park have entered into an agreement to exchange simulcast signals of their live horse races as well as interstate racing signals. The agreement will allow simulcast wagering to take place at both racetracks on a year-round basis. According to Friday's announcement by Calder president Ken Dunn, Gulfstream president and general manager Scott Savin, and Sam Gordon, president of the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the exchange of the simulcasts will begin on Jan. 4, 2006, the first day of Gulfstream's 2006 live meet.The agreement also moves card room operations from Calder to Gulfstream as a continuous annual location. "The accord is a result of both parties' desires to increase state tax revenue, track revenue, and purses, and to promote customer loyalty," the announcement said of the card room decision. "We believe that year-round simulcasting of Thoroughbred racing at each of our facilities will help increase business," said Dunn. "This is a first for both Calder and Gulfstream. We are looking forward to promoting live Thoroughbred racing throughout the year." Calder will offer simulcasting on Gulfstream's live races and the tracks it simulcasts, according to Gulfstream's schedule, and vice versa when Calder begins its 2006 season on April 26. "This agreement demonstrates that Florida horsemen, Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park can work together toward a common goal," said Savin. "The agreement makes good business sense and signals the start of a new cooperative era in Florida racing." Nearing the completion of a $171 million renovation, Gulfstream plans to announce later this month when the card room will open. Calder first opened the card room in May 2004, offering games of Texas Hold 'Em, Seven Card Stud and Omaha High/Low on live racing days.
