The Calder Race Course has been a fixture in South Florida since 1971, and has been a great source of entertainment for both locals and tourists alike. However, rumors have been circulating that the track may be closing. This article will take a look at the rumors and the facts surrounding the potential closing of the Calder Race Course.
What is Calder Race Course?
Calder Race Course is a thoroughbred horse racing track located in Miami Gardens, Florida. It opened in 1971 and is the only horse track in South Florida. The track has a one-mile dirt oval, a seven-furlong turf course and a five-furlong turf course. In addition, the track has a simulcast center and a casino. The track has been home to numerous prestigious races such as the Florida Derby, the Summit of Speed and many others.
Rumors of Closing
Rumors of the track closing began in June of 2017 when the track’s parent company, Churchill Downs Inc., announced that it was looking to sell Calder and its sister track, Arlington Park. The news was met with shock and dismay by horse racing fans in the area, as the closure of either track would have a huge impact on the local racing scene.
Reasons for Potential Closing
There are a few potential reasons for Churchill Downs Inc. wanting to sell the tracks. The first is the decline in horse racing’s popularity in recent years. With the rise of other forms of gambling, such as casinos and online gambling, horse racing has become less popular. This has had a major impact on the track’s finances, as the purses paid to the horse owners have decreased significantly in recent years.
In addition, the track has also seen a decrease in attendance, as people are no longer as interested in going to the track to watch a race. This has led to a decrease in revenue, which has made it difficult for the track to remain profitable.
Potential Buyers
There have been several potential buyers for the tracks, including the Gulfstream Park Racing Association, the Stronach Group and the Seminole Tribe. However, none of these potential buyers have been able to close a deal and the tracks remain on the market.
Impact on Horse Racing in South Florida
The potential closure of the Calder Race Course would have a major impact on the horse racing industry in South Florida. If the track closed, it would be the end of an era for racing in the area, as the track has been an important part of the local horse racing scene for decades.
In addition, the closure of the track would also have a major impact on the local economy, as the track provides jobs for many local residents. The track also provides an important source of revenue for the local government, as the track pays taxes to the state and county.
Potential Solutions
In an effort to save the track, Churchill Downs Inc. has proposed several potential solutions. The first is for the company to invest more money into the track in order to make it more profitable. The company has also proposed reducing the amount of money paid out to horse owners and reducing the number of races at the track.
The second solution is for the company to partner with a local casino, such as the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, in order to create a combined racing and casino facility. This would allow the track to generate more revenue by offering other forms of gambling.
The third solution is for the company to sell the track to another operator. This could be another horse racing company or a casino operator. This would allow the track to remain open and continue to provide jobs and revenue to the local economy.
Future of the Track
At this point, the future of the Calder Race Course is uncertain. Churchill Downs Inc. is still looking for a buyer for the track, and there is no guarantee that the track will remain open. However, there is still hope that the track can remain open and continue to be a source of entertainment for locals and tourists alike.
Conclusion
The rumors of the Calder Race Course closing have been circulating for some time now, but there is still hope that the track can remain open. Churchill Downs Inc. is still searching for a buyer for the track, and there are a few potential solutions that could keep the track open.
At this point, it is unclear what the future holds for the Calder Race Course. But, with a little bit of luck, the track can remain open and continue to be a source of entertainment and revenue for the local community.
Calder Race Course, Churchill Downs Inc., Gulfstream Park Racing Association, Stronach Group, Seminole Tribe, Florida Derby, Summit of Speed, horse racing, casinos, online gambling