by Chris Pomerleau
As you walk towards the grandstand this sign welcomes you.
I’ve always had an interest in exploring abandoned buildings and historic sites. On my recent trip south for the Florida Derby I took the opportunity to visit Hialeah Park on a beautiful Sunday morning to get a feel for what once was. A quick internet search of Hialeah Park will produce lots of black and white photos showing the beauty of the track with the large crowds that once made horse racing the top spectator sport. One of my favorite movies that I watch several times a year is ‘Let it Ride’ starring Richard Dreyfuss which you guessed it was shot at Hialeah Park.
A little history that I learned before visiting Hialeah was that it opened in 1922 as a greyhound track and started racing thoroughbreds a few years later. There ‘Great Miami Hurricane’ of 1926 severely damaged the track and resulted in it being sold in 1930. The new ownership hired architect Lester Geisler to design a new clubhouse, grandstand and to landscape the grounds. This is where the magic happened with the classic build and the beautifully landscaped grounds which included bringing in flamingos. When Hialeah opened in January of 1932 it was recognized as being one of the most beautiful tracks in the entire world. In 1979 the track was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1988 the track was designated as a National Historic Landmark. This is the main reason it still stands today otherwise it probably would have been leveled years ago.
The track as it stands today, note the flamingo flying in the air by the flag.
Racing stopped in 2001 after a change in a state law that took away Hialeah’s exclusive racing dates that the competing tracks of Calder and Gulfstream no longer had to honor. For a short time starting in 2010 the track hosted quarter horse racing. One of the biggest Kentucky Derby Prep races was held annually at Hialeah with the Grade 1 Flamingo Stakes. Nine winners of the Flamingo Stakes went onto win the Kentucky Derby. The list of famous horses who won the Flamingo Stakes is long, Citation, Northern Dancer, Foolish Pleasure, Seattle Slew, Spectacular Bid to name a few. In 1948 Citation would win the Flamingo at Hialeah and then go on to win the heralded Triple Crown, he is honored with a fountain statue that still stands today. The irony is that the last running of the Flamingo Stakes was won by Thunder Blitz who was owned by Frank Stronach whose daughter Belinda founded the Stronach Group that has control of Stronach Group racetracks including Gulfstream Park.
As a first-time visitor to Hialeah, I had the same feeling come upon me as when I first visited Saratoga. The saying at Saratoga is ‘Head West on Union Avenue and go back a hundred years. At Hialeah I could feel the history and I cannot begin to describe the beauty of this place. While racing could not occur today, I was impressed with how the track and facilities have been maintained. I was able to walk the grandstand and visualize the best place to have been sitting on race day.
A view of the track from the grandstand.
The flamingos never left and continue to flourish in the beautiful infield. The entire building and grounds speak to the history of Hialeah and the sport. As a fan I understand that this great sport is not what it once was, and it hurts every time a track closes for good. A recent question was recently asked on social media, what is your favorite track to visit? Saratoga, Santa Anita, and Del Mar had many votes, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Hialeah was also many peoples first choice. Considering that it’s been over 20-years since a thoroughbred race has been run there reflects just how beautiful this track is and what an experience it was to watch racing there.
The architecture is beautiful throughout
There are few of these historic places in this world and once they are gone, they never can be replaced. Obviously, a lot of work would have to be done but it would be exciting if Hialeah was given some exclusive dates by the state to run a short meet. In a market that thrives on tourist dollars it would be great to be able to visit the Miami area and spend a few days at this beautiful track. With the closing of Calder Racetrack, Gulfstream Park operates year-round. In my opinion the state would have to step in and allow Hialeah to have exclusive dates for racing, possibly before and after Gulfstream runs their ‘Championship Meet’. If you’re a fan of horseracing or just want to explore history and are in South Florida, I strongly suggest that you put Hialeah Park on your list. I’ve been to many racetracks in my life but there is something truly special about this place.
Enjoy a few more pictures from my walk-through Hialeah Park history.
The bleacher seats in the grandstand.
Room at the top of the grandstand for high rollers.
Citation Statue with the grandstand in the background
Triple Crown Winner Citation plaque
Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew plaque
The Flamingo Fountain
The paddock view with the Jockey Room in the background.
