Ten Things to Know About Gulfstream Park

Photo of the 2013 Florida Derby crowd by Eclipse Sportswire.
One of the best tracks to catch some winter racing under sunny skies is Gulfstream Park. Never been? Not to worry! Here are ten things you need to know about Gulfstream Park:
1. Gulfstream Park is located in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Hallandale Beach is centrally located between Miami (which is 17 miles to the south) and Fort Lauderdale (which is 13 miles to the north).

2. While Del Mar is truly “where the turf meets the surf,” if you are in need of a little sun prior to the races, Gulfstream will definitely be one of your favorite racetrack destinations. The venue is located just a short mile inland from the Atlantic Ocean, and beachside high-rise condominiums are the racetrack’s backdrop as you gaze at the day’s races.
FUN IN THE SUN

Photo by Penelope P. Miller/ America's Best Racing
3. Can’t get enough pari-mutuel action? Hit the late double and not ready to head home quite yet? Gulfstream may be the track for you, as the doubleheader options of evening Greyhound races at Hollywood Dog Track (just two miles north) or evening jai alai games at Dania Jai Alai (just six miles north) are always available. 

4. Gulfstream Park opened in 1939 and celebrated its 75th anniversary last season. This year will mark the 64th running of the Florida Derby. Back in 1953, the Florida Derby became the state of Florida’s first “Hundred-Grander” by offering a purse of $100,000.
Hendrix

5. In 1968, Gulfstream hosted the Miami Pop Festival, which was created and promoted by the same group who would create and promote Woodstock only a year later.  The festival was headlined by Jimi Hendrix and saw an attendance of over 60,000 people. 
6. Gulfstream has hosted three “mini-meets,” which occurred in November of 1989, 1992, and 1999.  These were the years that Gulfstream hosted the Breeders Cup World Championships, which occur annually in autumn and therefore before Gulfstream’s traditional early-January opening day in those years (Gulfstream Park now runs year-round).  The three-day “mini-meets” were a showcase of international Thoroughbred stars.
7. In 2005, Gulfstream Park as we know it today was under construction. Therefore, the track hosted a “tent meet.” The racetrack featured an array of corporate-event style tents, including a simulcast tent, a restaurant tent, and a Turf Club tent. 
8. Gulfstream Park has undergone a transformation into a world-class entertainment destination. In addition to its racetrack and casino, there are numerous on-site bars and restaurants that stay open until 4 a.m., which is nearly the time the horses are back on the track for their morning workouts! There are also boutiques and shops … even a bowling alley and water park are on the way! 
PLENTY TO DO IN ADDITION TO RACING

9. Gulfstream is a great place to spend the afternoon on a budget. Admission and parking are always free, and there is plenty of free outdoor seating to soak in all of that South Florida sun! The Rainbow 6 (with its 20-cent minimum bet) is a great way to score big for less than the price of a state lottery ticket!
OUTDOOR FUN AT GULFSTREAM

Eclipse Sportswire
10. Gulfstream Park has hosted the Eclipse Awards in 2013 and 2014, complete with a cocktail party on the night prior to the Awards. It has been announced that Gulfstream will host the Eclipse Awards in 2015 and 2016 as well.
2014 ECLIPSE AWARDS RED CARPET