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April 11 - 17, 2012
Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino hosts 61st Florida Kentucky Derby
B
y the time Take Charge Indy crossed the finish line in the 61st running of the Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park was well on its way to setting records in its state-of-the-art facility. And it was all witnessed by a national television audience…the largest audience of the day on the NBC Sports Network. The historic Florida Derby, which has produced 21 Kentucky Derby winners, was a huge success Saturday, March 31. From 6 a.m. in the morning – when ABC affiliate WPLG did their first live broadcast of the morning from the track – to 10 p.m. and the final notes of a free concert in the walking ring, Gulfstream was the focus of
the national racing world and the local community. A record crowd of more than 18,000 people, some from as far away as California, Vancouver and Venezuela, came to Gulfstream to celebrate one of the world’s most important thoroughbred races. And while the popular favorite Union Rags didn’t win the race, the day, as well as the entire week, was a huge success. Not only was the crowd of more than 18,000 the largest on any day since Gulfstream’s new facility was constructed in 2006, but Gulfstream set a new standard for total handle on a single day with $24.6 million wagered on its 13 races, including a record $2.98 million on track.
(PHOTOGRAPHY BY COGLIANESE PHOTOS)
Florida Derby winner was Take Charge Indy ridden by jockey Calvin Borel –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– See
GULFSTREAM, page 6