The Slots Are Coming! The Slots Are Coming!
By GREG MELIKOV

Gulfstream Park and three other pari-mutuel venues in South Florida finally hit the jackpot. The quartet will install Las Vegas style slots during the summer of 2006.

The good news: Florida lawmakers gave their approval nine months after Broward County residents voted for slots. Gov. Jeb Bush, who called a special legislative session in December to enact regulations, said he would sign the bill into law before the summer is out despite his opposition to gambling.

The bad news: The tax rate was set at 50 percent, one of the highest in the country. Combined with requirements for pari-mutuels to hand over some profits to the county and cities as well as horse and dog breeders as well as owners, some officials pegged the actual tax will be closer to 65 percent.

"I think it’s setting them up for failure," state Sen. Steve Geller, one of the most vocal opponents of gambling who represents the district that includes Gulfstream, told the media: "I believe they are doing this so the governor can lead a repeal campaign and say, ‘See? Look what you have instead of those nice facilities you were promised.’ "

In addition, legislative gambling opponents remain hopeful they can reverse the course by bringing up a measure to put a slots-repeal question on November’s ballot.

Surprisingly, regulations for slots passed by whopping margins of 112-6 in the House and 33-7 in the Senate.

Gulfstream, Pompano Park harness track, Hollywood Greyhound track and Dania Jai-alai Fronton can install 1,500 machines each and operate them 16 hours every day of the year.

Under the agreement, the state Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering will have six months to develop regulations. If nothing were accomplished within that time period, emergency rules would be implemented to allow machines to be installed.

Gulfstream, in the midst of a massive $171 million renovation, plans to install slots on every floor of its main new building, which should be completed in 2006.

"I imagine we’ll have to go back to the drawing board," said Dick Feinberg, general manager of Pompano Park. "The higher the tax, the more difficult it is to justify an investment."

Pompano Park had envisioned a $150 million complex that included two hotels, restaurants, a 157,000-square-foot "racino" (casino-type building) and even a water park. Hollywood dog track had planned on a Mardi Gras theme with one or two entertainment stages, three themed bars, a restaurant, a simulcast theater and a slots casino.

Dan Adkins, Hollywood Greyhound vice president, said the dog track now would likely spend about $40 million to remodel an existing building.

"The grand plans I have for expansion I still have, and if I can make it work under this tax rate and environment and compete with the (Indian) tribes, then, I’ll have to decide later whether to go ahead," he said.

By agreeing to enact regulations, legislators guaranteed that the Miccosukee and Seminole Indian nations would upgrade their casinos, too.

The legislation gives Bush the framework he needs to resume talks with the tribes, who must sign a "compact" with the state to bring Vegas-style slots to their casinos.

The Miccosukees operate a casino in Miami-Dade County, which rejected in March the same proposal okayed by Broward voters, while the Seminoles run Hard Rock Casinos in Hollywood and Tampa. Neither tribe is subjected to state regulation and pays no taxes.

Meanwhile, officials of Calder Race Course in Miami-Dade Country and Gulfstream have signed an agreement to exchange simulcast signals beginning with Gulfstream’s meeting that begins Jan. 4. The deal allows simulcast wagering at both South Florida tracks on a year-round basis.

It also moves card room operations from Calder to Gulfstream. Calder first opened its card room in May 2004 offering various poker games on live racing days. The year-round card room at Gulfstream will continue to generate revenue for horsemen through purses and to the state through taxes

The decision is a result of both parties’ desires to increase state tax revenue, track revenue and purses, and to promote customer loyalty.

"We believe that year-round simulcasting of thoroughbred racing at each of our facilities will help increase business," said Calder President Ken Dunn. "This is a first for both Calder and Gulfstream."

"This agreement demonstrates that Florida horsemen, Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park can work together toward a common goal," said Gulfstream President Scott Savin. "The agreement makes good business sense and signals the start of a new cooperative era in Florida racing.

"This deal was three years in the making. The horsemen were also an integral part of making it happen, and it’s great to see everybody was able to put their self-interests aside and get along for the greater good of the sport."

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Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, Triple Crown Horse Racing, 2006 Kentucky Derby Trail, 2006 Florida Derby

Gulfstream Park: Growing, Growing, Growing

By GREG MELIKOV, HorsesWild Contributing Writer

FDR was in his second term as president, the New York Yankees won a fourth consecutive World Series and Johnstown captured the 65th Kentucky Derby when Gulfstream Park staged its first meeting.

The South Florida track has come a long way since that four-day meeting in 1939, four years after I was born. Opening day attracted 18,000 racing fans and the meeting's pari-mutuel handle totaled $441,561.

In '91, a record 1,096,404 fans turned out for the 88-day meeting. In '02, the on-track handle hit a record $149,984,404.

The 63rd meeting opens Jan. 4 as Gulfstream continues to grow into a one-of-a-kind racing and entertainment megaplex. Because Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma scrambled the construction schedule, "there is going to be some work done while people are here," said Mike Mullaney, director of media relations.

"We expect to have the full first floor (of the new four-story main building) ready for opening day," he said. "There was no structural damage at the track, but the hurricanes affected people's families. Stadium seating and a new tote board destroyed by Wilma will be replaced.

"The second, third and fourth floors will need work and construction will continue during live racing. The second floor, with a new dining room, is scheduled to open Jan. 28. We're hopeful the entire building will be open well before closing day (April 23)."

The new clubhouse exceeds 300,000 square feet and will include the tiered arena seating 3,000, a boxing ring and broadcast facilities.

That's not all. Forest City Enterprises will develop the Village of Gulfstream Park in partnership with Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC). The retail, entertainment and residential development will dovetail with racing and gaming operations. It could be completed by fall of '07.

The 55-acre Village will offer residential, hotel and commercial office units, plus entertainment options with the track. The first phase will incorporate 250 residential units and 400,000 square feet of retail shopping, restaurant and entertainment facilities overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean.

When completed, the one million square foot development will feature more than 70 stores and a movie theater as well as 1,500 residential units.

"It will be the first lifestyle center in the country built in conjunction with a state-of-the-art thoroughbred horse racing facility," said MEC chairman Frank Stronach. "I am very optimistic that this destination of The Village at Gulfstream Park will be a prototype for the future."

Meanwhile, the 2006 meeting will offer 47 stakes worth more than $8 million. For the second consecutive year, the racing agenda is built around four "Spectacular Saturday" cards featuring multiple graded events.

The 31 graded stakes include the 55th running of the $1 million Florida Derby on April 1, plus six other stakes that Saturday. There were 136 early nominations of 3-year-olds for the key Kentucky Derby prep.

The Florida Derby debuted in '52 with a $24,750 purse when the track expanded. Sky Ship was the winner. In '53, the purse was raised to $100,000 making it the richest race in the Sunshine State. Ironically, Money Broker triumphed.

In '57, Gen. Duke equaled the world record for 1 1/8 mile: 1:46 4/5. After all these years, the time remains the stakes record.

Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, Triple Crown Horse Racing, 2006 Kentucky Derby Trail, 2006 Florida Derby