Gulfstream Better Than Ever

Gulfstream Better Than Ever

By Greg Melikov
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

If Tony the Tiger were a betting animal, he undoubtedly would be willing to wager that Gulfstream Park’s 2007 meeting, which opens Wednesday, will be GRREEEAAAAT!!!!!

One significant development that benefits racing: Purse money, thanks to newly installed Las Vegas-type video slots on Nov. 15, will be hiked during the 88-day stand.

Overnight purses go up about 18 percent across the board from last year, announced Kent Stirling, executive director of the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, and remain uniform throughout the meeting that ends April 23.

For example, he said, maiden special weight races will be worth about $44,000 -- $12,000 more than last year.

“We’re doing better than we’d have expected right off the bat,� Stirling said, referring to 516 slots in play of the planned 1,500 allowed at each of four pari-mutuel facilities in Broward County. Remaining slots are due later this year.

The South Florida track’s casino netted $3.43 million in slots revenue, according to SlotsMagazine.com, with half of the money going to Florida’s education system. More than $35.56 million was wagered Nov. 15-30, according to figures submitted to the state Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering.

Broward voters passed a November 2004 referendum that allowed slots at Gulfstream, Mardi Gras Racetrack and Gaming Center (formerly Hollywood Greyhound Track), Pompano Park Harness Track and Dania Jai-Alai.

There are a wide variety of slots at Gulfstream, all in the Class 3 category, also known as Las Vegas-style machines. They work on a random number generator-based mechanism compared to Class 2 machines, which work on a bingo-based mechanism.

There are 207 five-cent slots, 217 quarter machines, 62 $1 slots, 19 $5 machines, 5 $10 slots, 4 $20 slots and 2 $100 machines.

Meanwhile, the ’07 stakes program features 45 events, one less than in ’06, but purses exceed more than $1 million over last year. Total value: $9.25 million.

Thirty-one stakes are graded, including the $150,000 Mac Diarmida Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on the grass Jan. 28, elevated to Grade 2, and the $100,000 Canadian Turf Handicap Feb. 3, raised to Grade 3. Both are for 3-year-olds and up.

The 55th running of the $1 million Florida Derby for 3-year-olds is scheduled for March 31, once again five weeks before the Kentucky Derby, which was won by Barbaro last year after he captured Gulfstream’s premier race following victory in the $150,000 Holy Bull Stakes.

The $150,000 Swale, shortened from seven furlongs to 6 ½, was moved up to Feb. 3, joining the Holy Bull, cut back to a mile from 1 1/8 miles, and the $500,000 Donn Handicap for 3-year-olds and up, plus three other stakes on Spectacular Saturday I.

Replacing the Swale on the Florida Derby card is the $125,000 Aventura Stakes, shortened to seven furlongs from a mile.

“After listening to the horsemen, Frank Stronach (chairman of Gulfstream Park parent company Magna Entertainment Corp.) said some changes were in order,� explained Bill Murphy, Gulfstream vice president of racing. “We believe adjustments to the timing and distances of these races will provide a smoother progression to the Florida Derby, and beyond to the Kentucky Derby.�

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Street Sense, trained by Carl Nafzger, is among 149 nominees to the Florida Derby. Nafzger won the race with Unbridled in ’90 and Vicar in ’99.

Michael Matz, who trained Barbaro, has two colts on the list: Diamond Fever and Vine Hill. Among early bird nominees are 18 representatives of trainer Todd Pletcher and 16 from Scott Blasi, assistant to suspended conditioner Steve Asmussen.

Eoin Harty and Ken McPeek nominated six each, while Kiaran McLaughlin, winner of last year’s Belmont Stakes with Jazil and trainer of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and likely Horse of the Year Invasor, has five on the list.

Circular Quay and Scat Daddy, second and fourth in the BC Juvenile, are nominated along with Nobiz Like Shobiz, winner of Aqueduct’s Remsen Stakes in his last start.

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