The project began immediately after the last racing day of the 2004 meet. Both racing surfaces will be rebuilt from scratch, converting the original 1 mile main track and 7 furlong turf course configuration into a new 1 1/8 mile main track and one mile turf course setup.
Since it first opened on February 1, 1939 in Hallandale, Florida, Gulfstream has seen some of the greatest thoroughbreds in the world compete before huge crowds. Among these include Cigar, Skip Away, Holy Bull, Spectacular Bid, Kelso, Forego, Bold Ruler, Nashua, and Swaps. In 1952, the first Florida Derby was run, coinciding with the opening of the new clubhouse that was added as an extension to the grandstand, and it quickly gained prominence as one of the key preps for the Triple Crown. A few years later, the Donn Handicap and the Gulfstream Park Handicap were introduced, attracting the best of the older horse division to compete at Gulfstream over the winter. In 1959, the turf course was installed inside the main dirt oval.
Moving forward to 1989, Gulfstream hosted the first of its three Breeders' Cups, the others being in 1992 and 1999. Because Gulfstream does not normally race in the fall, a time traditionally occupied by Calder Race Course, each of those years a special 3-day racing meet was conducted.
Unfortunately, citing the new realities of racing and competition from casinos and other forms of entertainment in South Florida, the new ownership has decided to destroy a piece of racing history. It took just over an hour for the Cleveland Wrecking Company to cut the 21 beams supporting the grandstand and then bring in a backhoe to shove the structure over. Site superintendent Randy Cook said, "Doing it this way was a lot safer than imploding it, and a lot cheaper, too. Now, the fun part starts."
Already gone are the original racing surfaces, half of the barns, and the walking ring. All that remains are the tote board, the jockey's room, and the administration building. A new 300,000 square foot, four-story grandstand is scheduled for completion in time for the start of the 2006 racing season, as part of a multi-use development dubbed "The Village at Gulfstream Park", which includes not only the track but also retail, entertainment, and residential areas.
The 2005 meet will be conducted over the newly completed racing surfaces, but with fans and officials using tents, bleachers, trailers, and other temporary structures, while the stewards, placing judges, and track announcer will view the races from scaffolding near the finish line. Track president Scott Savin announced that admission would be free in 2005, adding, "Everyone will be a little inconvenienced next year, but I think they'll really like what's to come after that."
