Historic Hialeah Park reopens with a packed house

Miami Herald ^ | Nov 29, 2009 | MICHAEL VASQUEZ

[ml/nj]

It was, in a word, electric.

Hialeah Park, after an eight-year slumber, roared back to life Saturday afternoon -- attracting a crowd of 26,874 eager to watch horses once again gallop down one of the world's most famous racetracks.

The packed house cheered at the 1:05 start time, followed by another boisterous shout when, once the fourth race had ended, the track's signature pink flamingos flew overhead en masse.

[ml/nj]

Hialeah was at one time perhaps the most beautiful man-made place I have ever been to. It's fall into decline and then disuse has been profoundly sad for me. So amidst all the bad news surrounding us, the reopening yesterday was especially glorious. Only Quarter Horses to be sure, and the reasonable plan will require several years before there's a chance of high class racing again. But now there's hope.

ML/NJ

[clintonh8r]

I was there too. It was fantastic. I hope the original elegance can be restored.

[OldDeckHand]

I saw my first horse race there in 1964 or 65 with my Grandfather and Great Grandfather, quite a memory. I had recently read that it had fallen into a state of extreme disrepear, and that they had torn down the stables. I'm surprised that they're able to race there again. They must have some other paddock arrangements.

It's also surprising that with all the gentrification of the Miami are in the late 80s and 90s, Hialeah somehow fell through the cracks. I wonder if it had anything to do with the proximity of Gulfstream Park.

[ml/nj]

Hialeah somehow fell through the cracks. I wonder if it had anything to do with the proximity of Gulfstream Park.

The official story is that it is not close enough! They say Hialeah is in a bad neighborhood and people don't want to go there. I view this as complete BS. I never cared what the neighborhood looked like once I was inside those hedges. (And really the neighborhood wasn't all that bad, at least the last time I was there maybe 20 years ago now.)

The real story is that the Hialeah folks lost political battles to their Gulfstream competitors which forced them to lose their traditional high season racing dates and basically run their races after the elite stables had already returned north with their stock.

ML/NJ

[ml/nj]

ping

[ilovesarah2012]

I grew up in Hialeah. My high school was Hialeah High Thoroughbreds and our band wore red and blue riding outfits. I am so glad to see Hialeah back!

[Vinnie]

I didn’t realize it had closed. Been gone from S. Fla for 25 yrs.

I used to just drive through the grounds to see the beautiful landscaping when I was working in the area.

To watch the flock of flamingos in flight, necks extended was a wonderful sight.

[Vinnie]

At this website there is a short video of the flamingos in flight.

http://www.hialeahparkracing.com/

[stylecouncilor]

ping

[vharlow]

And you are there? I’m so jealous.... but we are discovering technology...just skyped my grandkids in California. Are they likely to get racing dates again any time soon?

[onedoug]

[ml/nj]

And you are there?

No not there. I won't be down in Fla until after they close on Feb 2. Otherwise I might have gone for a look. They're probably several years away from real racing. But Gulfstream is so bad that there's hope.

ML/NJ

[stylecouncilor]

M.T. Graves I presume??