The Best Horse Racing Action in sunny Florida!

Gulfstream Park racecourse is an important horse racecourse and casino in Hallandale, Florida. It is a modern two-track racing facility that regularly attracts fans from all over North America. Gulfstream Park racecourse has been the site of some of horse racing's most memorable feats. More than two hundred national thoroughbred champions are estimated to have competed at Gulfstream Park racecourse and more are expected follow as the track's prominence is enhanced throughout the years.

Gulfstream Park racecourse's stature in the American horse racing landscape has been elevated in recent years, thanks to its hosting of such big ticket events as the Breeders Cup World Thoroughbred Championships (hosted in 1989, 1992, 1999), as well as the Sunshine Millions, a contest for horses bred in "sunny" states Florida and California.

Gulfstream Park racecourse has recently undergone and is continuing to undergo major renovations to help catapult itself to greater heights in the sport of horse racing.

Among the major stakes events run at Gulfstream Park racecourse each year include:

• The Donn Handicap
• The Florida Derby
• The Gulfstream Park Breeders Cup Turf Stakes
• The Bonnie Miss Stakes
• The Davona Dale Stakes
• The Gulfstream Park Handicap

Gulfstream Park racecourse officially opened on February 1, 1939 and was apparently an immediate success. The inaugural meet was attended by about 18,000 horse racing enthusiasts. The meet ran for four days but was however cut short as visitor interest waned and the racecourse experienced financial troubles. Gulfstream Park racecourse was closed afterward and remained dormant through 1940 to 1943.

Gulfstream Park racecourse re-opened in 1944 under the guidance of James Donn Sr. and ran a 20-day race that saw an average attendance of 4,534 and an average handle of $281,902. Donn thus implemented huge improvements to Gulfstream Park that saw horse racing action steadily improve.

In 1952, the Florida Derby was inaugurated and a clubhouse was built. In the succeeding years, the Florida Derby, became a Grade 1 classic, and attained the $1 million purse status. Three years later, the track presented the inaugural running of the Donn Handicap. It is now recognized as one of the nation's most prestigious events for older horses.

In 1959, Gulfstream Park racecourse launched its turf course that almost immediately drew praise from horsemen and jockeys alike.

Gulfstream Park racecourse, while undergoing several management changes over the years, has nevertheless continued its upward climb toward becoming a world-class racing and entertainment facility.