Concerns Raised at Pegasus World Cup, Leads to Possible Closure of Iconic Florida Horse Racing Venue

There’s no dearth of horse racing tracks in the state of Florida. And yet, one racecourse on Hallandale Beach stands towering above the rest. Opened in 1939, the Gulfstream Park has since become a haven for thoroughbred horse racing, hosting several G1 events around the year, including the Florida Derby and the Pegasus World Cup. However, this year’s World Cup race made things murky, and the iconic race track could be looking at the end of its days soon.

1/ST CEO Belinda Stronach didn’t hold back on how the Gulfstream Park’s location is becoming a major headache during an interview with NBC Sports in January this year. “The fact is that Gulfstream Park is now in a very dense, urban setting, and that’s not great for horses, ultimately,” she said, raising flags. Naturally, debates over a viable solution and a sustainable replacement ensued. But at the cost of what?

An article by WTSP from February 7 notes that, “a bill advancing through the Florida legislature could allow the state’s two remaining thoroughbred racetracks, Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, to cease live horse racing while maintaining other gambling operations such as card rooms and slot machines.” The “decoupling” proposal has already passed the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee with a 12-4 vote on Wednesday, and awaits further reviews.

Representative Adam Anderson, the primary sponsor of the bill, stated, “Very simply put, the bill applies the core principles that we value in the free state of Florida to the thoroughbred industry,” while arguing that it would provide Florida racetracks with greater flexibility for businesses. He also said that the bill would help the tracks shift focus from unprofitable events like live horse racing and instead make independent decisions.

However, the far-reaching effects that the legislation would cause are also raising many eyebrows in the state. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association’s Jena Antonucci expressed her concerns about how the bill could affect local economies and horse racing tourism that has flourished in the state.

“I think it would hurt racing — purse money-wise and everything. It may be crippling enough to make the track close,” said one horse racing community member, who fears that the proposed bill could make trainers, jockeys, and other workers to lose their jobs. However, while the proposed bill could potentially create a rift within the community, it isn’t like the bill was a bolt out of the blue!

Could the bill be pre-empted?

Last year, tragic scenes unfolded at the iconic horse racing venue when the 2022 Breeders’ Cup contender Congruent had an unfortunate mishap mid-race that resulted in a devastating injury. The Saffie A. Joseph-trained equine drew its last breath right on the tracks, leaving the fans horrified. The community was quick to extend its condolences to the horse and its staff. In retrospect, the unfortunate incident presaged more grave things to come in the park’s way.

However, the new bill would look to address scenarios that extend beyond the racetracks and have practical and pertinent issues. “I love the industry. The reality is that it’s an industry that’s declining. It’s not just declining in the state of Florida. It’s declining nationwide,” said Rep. Anderson about how the legislature could help the industry tackle the slump it’s facing right now.

However, at this moment, it seems like Gulfstream Park is the only racecourse that could have its hooves clipped in the coming days, while other horse racing tracks like Tampa Bay Downs continue to remain mum on the matter. What does this mean for the horse-racing community and the sport’s future in Florida? Tell us below!