HIALEAH PARK RACECOURSE
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Hialeah Park Hialeah Park Racecourse, which opened on January 25, 1925, was carved out of a barren, swampy parcel of land, miles from downtown Miami and Miami Beach. Hialeah Park is eternal, magnificent and historic. It is considered the world’s most beautiful racetrack (though perhaps not looking its best after a eight year sabbatical) also holding the distinction of being an Audubon Bird Sanctuary and being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tree-lined paths and sweeping staircases were designed after Ascot and Deauville. The lines of the administration building were taken from a chateau in France, the walking ring from Longchamp, the tunnel leading to the track from Epsom Downs and the terraces and balustrades from the casino in Monte Carlo. It wasn’t long after that Hialeah opened the first turf course in the U.S., and installed the first totalisator system. In 1934, 20 flamingos were imported from Cuba to reside in the infield lake. There would be another 100 in 1947. By that time, Hialeah had more than 10,000 palm trees on her property and more than 100,000 small shrubs and plants.
Today, people continue to be overcome by Hialeah’s grace and beauty. Even when the track went dark for eight seasons, there was a constant flow of visitors. And when the gates were locked, some of those visitors simply climbed them for a sneak peak.
On Nov. 28 of 2009, Hialeah began yet another new era and finally reopened for Quarter Horse racing. She is still celebrated, still championed, and still eternal.
The term “Quarter” refers to the distance of the race, most commonly a quarter of a mile. This 440 yard distance is still known as American Quarter Horse Racing's 'classic distance' today. With few exceptions, Quarter Horse races are run in a straight path, with horses running at top speeds for the duration of the race. The races generally end with several horses grouped together at the wire for an exciting photo finish! In order to win, the Quarter Horse must accelerate extremely fast out of the starting gate, and maintain that speed right up to the finish line. Think of it as horse racing's version of drag racing. The Flamingos
Since their introduction to Hialeah Park, these exotic, colourful birds have become a widely recognized trademark of Hialeah Park and South Florida. In fact, when the Florida Lottery was started in 1986, lottery officials used the iconic Hialeah flamingo as part of their official logo in the hopes of providing Floridians with a familiar image they could tie to gambling. The Flamingos were also frequently used as the backdrop for major feature films and television shows, including the opening of the hit show “Miami Vice”. As much a Hialeah staple now as they were then, the Flamingos will once again take to the air in a breathtaking spectacle known as “The Flight of the Flamingos” now that live racing has returned to Hialeah Park. The flamingo colony itself was hatched and raised all at the race track. In fact, Hialeah Park is the only place the species has been successfully reproduced outside its wild state. For that reason, the infield area of the racetrack was deemed a National Audubon Sanctuary. Related to the heron family, the flamingo is a wading bird, preferring to live in shallow marshlands. Each spring, the birds nest on volcano-shaped mounds of clay built in a shallow pool on their infield lake. The female flamingo lays one egg a year and both parents take turns tending to the nest during the incubation period, which is usually about 30 days. When the small, grayish-white baby bird is hatched, it will eat its shell as a first meal.
|  | Hialeah Flamingos | Hialeah Flamingos |
Attraction Hours
Usually from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily all year. Times may vary during race season. Prices
Presently there is no charge for entry. Parking
Presently on site parking is free Bus services
L (112) From the corner of Lincoln Road and Washington Avenue north on Collins Avenue to 71st. Street and then to Hialeah Metrorail Station. Every 15 minutes.
S (119) All along Miami Beach to Downtown Government Centre (every 12 minutes), than change to Metrorail North to Hialeah Metrorail Station. Driving Directions
Exit South Miami Beach on I-395 (McArthur Causeway), then turn north on I-95 and take SR 112 (Airport Expressway). Exit Central Miami Beach on I-195 (Julia Tuttle Causeway) continue straight ahead on SR 112 (Airport Expressway) or exit North Miami Beach on 71st. Street (John F. Kennedy Causeway) then turn south on to I-95 to SR 112 (Airport Expressway). Exit right at the end of SR 112 onto US 27 (Okeechobee Road). Continue to the Hialeah Fountain on your right then turn right onto East 4th. Avenue. Hialeah Park entrance is about two miles to your left just after crossing the railway lines. Address and Contacts
2200 E 4th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33010
Tel: (305) 885-8000
E-Mail info@hialeahparkracing.com
|  | Hialeah Park Racecourse Entrance | Hialeah Park Racecourse Grandstand | |
