Racing Fans Unhappy with Gulfstream’s Transformation
By Greg Melikov
I’ve been receiving not so glowing reports about the transformation of Gulfstream from a fan-friendly track to a megaplex where horse racing finishes out of the money.
The complaints come from national racing writers and close friends who recently observed the rebuilt South Florida facility.
"I hate the new Gulfstream," said Joe Modzelewski, racing fan, longtime friend and a colleague at The Miami Herald until I retired nearly a decade ago. "Very bettor unfriendly."
"For decades, Gulfstream has been one of the most pleasant racetracks on earth," wrote Andy Beyer, racing guru and Washington Post columnist.
Owners and their friends would gather in the center of the walking ring and socialize. Outside the perimeter, horseplayers sat in lawn chairs, studying their Racing Forms as they enjoyed the sunshine. When the call to post was sounded, they would migrate to the betting windows and watch the races on TV or from a grandstand seat — then they would return to their seats in the sunshine.
Although (magna chairman Frank) Stronach has plenty of idiosyncratic ideas, few people worried about what he might do to Gulfstream. How could anybody spoil the sunshine, the blue skies, the palm trees and the matchless ambience of this place?
"He destroyed the old Gulfstream - not only its infrastructure but its atmosphere. He has replaced it with what is being described as an entertainment center with overtones of Las Vegas. I’d call it bizarre and perverse. "
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