Florida horse racing dates confirmed for 2014 season

Every so often, it is a good idea to remember that all auto racing evolved from original horsepower, when a jockey and his mount raced around a small track in search of fame and glory. Nowadays, the power of man and animal combined has been almost entirely replaced by the roar of man and machine. So much so that many of the once great horse racing facilities have fallen into disrepair as the number of spectators have plummeted. 

On Tuesday, July 1, the long anticipated racing dates agreement between the Stronach Group and Churchill Downs Inc. was finalized with the owners of Gulfstream Park and The Stronach Group officially taking over Calder’s race dates.  A minimum of 190 race days will be run at Gulfstream each year with 40 days to be run at Calder.  However, those 40 days will also be operated by Gulfstream Park. 

Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association President, Phil Combest, stated, “This is a new era for Florida racing.  The horsemen are looking forward to a much brighter future here in South Florida.  Churchill Downs has long made it clear that horse racing is only a means to an end for them.  They’re a casino company now.   On the other hand, The  Stronach Group and Gulfstream Park have demonstrated time and time again that their focus is on horse racing.   On raising purses.   On improving their facilities.   On making it a better experience for all concerned.  The horsemen are excited to be their partners and look forward to the journey ahead.” 

I bet that most of the people reading this don’t even realize what a large percentage of horse training takes place in Florida. South Florida alone is the winter home for many of the major horses who are featured in the triple crown, as well as many other smaller races held throughout the year.

Kent Stirling, Executive Director of the FHBPA, added,  “For the owners and trainers that race in Florida, the final settlement of the Calder/Gulfstream dates war is definitely the best thing that could have happened.  South Florida racing, in general, has suffered greatly during the long war and now the horsemen can expect higher purses, less anxiety and year round, quality racing at Gulfstream.”

In September, the world’s of auto racing and horse racing will combine, if only for one day, as the Sunshine Stakes at Sunshine Meadows features a celebrity race with IMSA driver Tristan Nunez and former host of “Pass Time” Brett Wagner zooming around the course in a celebrity harness race.  

 The Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village features a one mile racetrack, a five-eighths mile training track and a half mile Euro strip. The facility has 18 barns that can house more than 650 horses, numerous show and jump rings and turnout paddocks.  The facility is the winter home to world-renowned Standardbred trainers Jonas Czernyson, Chuck Sylvester and FrankAntonacci. World class trotters Maven, Spider Blue Chip and D’Orsay trained all winter at Sunshine Meadows.  Also stabled at Sunshine Meadows are many riding horse trainers for English, Western and Dressage, who have shown successfully world-wide.

 Any vendors wanting to reserve rental space during the two days of Sunshine Stakes racing, businesses wishing to advertise in the race program, sponsor races or host sponsorships can contact the Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village by calling 562-281-7659 or emailing sunshinemeadowsharness@gmail.com. Their website is www.sunshinemeadows441.com.

Adam Sinclair