Gulfstream Park, other tracks race on despite restrictions

Racing continued at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday, with the horse track owners citing the need to care for the horses, and Hallandale Beach, Florida, city officials exploring whether the park’s activities violate Broward County’s executive order to close nonessential businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bill Badget, the executive director of Florida Racing Operations for the Stronach Group, which owns Gulfstream Park, said in a statement Wednesday the track did not threaten legal action against Hallandale Beach. On Tuesday, Hallandale Beach Vice Mayor Sabrina Javellana told the Sun Sentinel that Gulfstream was threatening the city with legal action if it tried to shut down the track.

“Our priority during these challenging times is the health and well-being of our employees and the horses we all love and care for,” Badget’s statement read. “Racehorses are living, breathing animals that require constant supervision and care. It would be detrimental to their health, safety and welfare to stand in their stalls without daily exercise. There are over 3,200 horses that call Gulfstream Park home and our training and racing is being conducted by essential personnel only who are operating under stringent measures for protection that are aligned with the best guidance from health and governmental authorities.”

The county order describes essential businesses as grocery stores, doctor’s offices, gas stations, pharmacies and several other types of businesses. No spectators have been allowed at Gulfstream Park since it closed to the public March 12. One of the top races of the season, the Florida Derby, is still scheduled for Saturday, also without spectators.

Broward County Assistant to the County Administrator Alphonso Jefferson Jr. said in an email to Hallandale Beach Assistant City Manager Keven Klopp and others that Gulfstream Park was permitted “to perform Minimum Basic Operations (those activities necessary to preserve value of investment — so the horses will need to be taken care of, of course — process payroll and benefits and facilitate remote work). CDC guidelines should be followed at all times.”

Javellana said the park told the city’s staff that at least 20 people are needed to run races at the park, which she said exceeds the limit in the Broward County emergency order and is more than the guidelines from the CDC recommend.

Gulfstream’s Championship Meet wraps up Sunday. Next on the schedule would be the Spring-Summer Meet, which begins April 3.

The Stronach Group has continued racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, with the permission of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, despite Newsom’s stayat-home order, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office did not respond to emails asking if the governor’s office had been in touch with either the city or Gulfstream Park.

ICON SPORTSWIRE March 12 was the last day Gulfstream Park was open to the public, but racing has continued in Hallandale Beach, Florida, and at other tracks despite coronavirus-related restrictions.