Every Race, Every Day, Gulfstream Park Shows Appreciation for the Backstretch Workers Only one horse can reach the wire first in every race (unless there’s a dead-heat), but their grooms bring them to the paddock all looking like winners. The Stronach Group has launched a program at Gulfstream Park called the “Best Turned Out” Award...Read More
The FHBPA honors Ramon Circo, part of trainer Kathy Ritvo’s team, with the Groom of the Month Award for May. Originally from Mexico, Circo has worked for the Ritvo barn for more than 15 years. “He’s been with us a long time and he’s like a member of the family now,” Ritvo said. “He’s very...Read More
Gulfstream Park officials have confirmed that a Tapeta track will be installed on the outer half of the current turf course, with construction slated to begin June 7. The installation is expected to be completed in August. “We are refreshing the inner turf course now,” said Billy Badgett, Executive Director of Florida Racing Operations. “After...Read More
The Department of Health will be coming to Gulfstream Park on Tuesday, May 25, to administer Pfizer Covid-19 vaccinations to owners, trainers and backstretch employees. The second dose will follow in three weeks from that date. The vaccination center will be set up in the Backside Cantina, next to the Backside Security Office (as...Read More
The Florida HBPA-sponsored Recreation Program for the Backstretch Community, on hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, celebrated its first event in more than a year with a trip to Rapids Water Park in West Palm Beach on Tuesday. Pastor Tom LaPointe, who directs the program, organized 43 backstretch workers and their families for the day...Read More
Paulick Report: On the final day of a special session, Florida legislators on Wednesday approved three separate gambling measures that will strengthen the Seminole tribe’s dominant position in the gambling market, allow non-Thoroughbred pari-mutuel facilities to decouple casinos and card rooms from their racing and jai-alai operations, and create a five-member Gaming Commission that will […]Read More
Florida Politics: Two House bills weaving the legal framework for the Seminole Compact’s impact on horse racing and on fantasy sports betting won approval Monday from the House Select Subcommittee on Authorized Gaming Activity. Both bills, Republican Rep. Chris Latvala‘s HB 7A for decoupling casinos from pari-mutuel betting and Republican Rep. Josie Tomkow‘s HB 9A for fantasy sports, seek to create...Read More
ATTENTION HORSEMEN: Effective with the start of Condition Book #3, May 28, 2021, the Void Claim Rule at Gulfstream Park will be expanded. Claims will be voided, per the conditions outlined in the new rule below. In some cases, the successful claimant or his/her trainer will have 15 minutes after the stewards have been notified...Read More
Everyone has a story about how they got into horse racing. Tom Cannell’s introduction to the sport is one you probably haven’t heard before. “My mom and I would watch the replays from Thistledown on TV,” Cannell reminisced. “It was like watching Jeopardy every night. We’d pick a number and watch the races together.” The...Read More
THE OPENING AT THE FLORIDA HBPA HAS BEEN FILLED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SUBMITTED RESUMES FOR THE POST. Job Description: Bilingual Receptionist/Clerical position available for full time employment in Hallandale Beach, FL. Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required. QuickBooks Desktop experience is preferred, but not required. Job Type: Full-time Pay: $20.00 – $25.00 per...Read More
