Calder Race Course
Encyclopedia
| Horse Race Track | |
|---|---|
| Calder Casino & Race Course | |
| Location | Miami Gardens, Florida Miami Gardens, Florida Miami Gardens is a Miami suburban city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The city name comes from one of the major roadways through the area, Miami Gardens Drive. According to the 2010 U.S... |
| Owned by | Churchill Downs Inc. |
| Race type | Thoroughbred |
| Principal Races | |
| Princess Rooney Handicap | |
| Carry Back Stakes | |
| Smile Sprint Handicap | |
Miami Gardens, Florida
Miami Gardens is a Miami suburban city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The city name comes from one of the major roadways through the area, Miami Gardens Drive. According to the 2010 U.S...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
In the mid-1960s, real estate developer Stephen A. Calder envisioned summertime racing in Florida; in 1965, on the advice of Mr. Calder, the Florida LegislatureFlorida Legislature
The Florida State Legislature is the term often used to refer to the two houses that act as the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Florida Constitution states that "The legislative power of the state shall be vested in a legislature of the State of Florida," composed of a Senate...
approved a bill allowing for it. Prior to this time, a fall meet was held at Tropical Park Race Track
Tropical Park Race Track
Tropical Park Race Track was a horse racing facility built on at the current intersection of Bird Road and the Palmetto Expressway in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in what is now the neighborhood of Olympia Heights. The race track was built by Bill Dwyer, a prohibition era bootlegger, and Frank...
in Miami and a spring meet at Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino is a racetrack and county-approved racino in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in the United States. During its annual meet, which spans December through April, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing in America....
in Broward County. In 1970, Stephen Calder received a permit for summertime racing but the meet was run at Tropical Park because construction was not complete at Calder. On May 6, 1971 Calder Race Course held its first day of racing. When William L. McKnight became the new owner of Tropical Park, he stated his intentions of closing the track and switching the dates to the Calder track, of which he was one of the principal investors. Racing ceased at Tropical Park in 1972.
The 1980s brought about renovations and expansions and two purchases. The first purchase was by Bertram R. Firestone and the second was by Kawasaki Leasings, Inc. In 1992 the "Festival of the Sun" was introduced. By 1997, simulcasting was introduced (so bets could be placed on Calder races from other tracks and off-track locations). The handle increased significantly; the track increased purses. In January 1999, Churchill Downs Incorporated
Churchill Downs Incorporated
Churchill Downs Incorporated is the parent company of Churchill Downs. The company owns several other thoroughbred and standardbred racetracks.-History:...
purchased Calder Race Course for approximately $86 million. In the first years of the new century the track introduced the "Florida Million" and the "Summit of Speed".
Calder's Summit of Speed has produced several Breeders' Cup
Breeders' Cup
The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Thoroughbred horse races, most but not all Grade I, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days. The location...
champions and Eclipse Award
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
winners since its start in 2000. (The Eclipse award is the highest honor bestowed in American racing). In its short history, the Summit of Speed has attracted some of the country's top sprinters, including Cajun Beat
Cajun Beat
Cajun Beat is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2003 Breeders' Cup Sprint at 25-1. Owned by Padua Stable and John & Joseph Iracane, Cajun Beat retired from racing in April of 2005 having won seven of nineteen starts and with earnings of $1,159,100.-References:*...
and Orientate who both went on to win Breeders' Cup Sprint
Breeders' Cup Sprint
The Breeders' Cup Sprint is an American Weight for Age Grade I Thoroughbred horse race for three year olds & up. Run on dirt over a distance of 6 Furlongs , the race has been held annually since 1984 at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World...
championship races (Orientate 2002, Cajun Beat 2003). Plus, in 2005, Lost in the Fog
Lost in the Fog
Lost in the Fog was an American thoroughbred race horse. He won his first 10 starts , 11 of his 14 lifetime starts across the country, and career earnings of $978,099 until his life was cut short by lymphoma during his four-year-old season.-Bloodlines:Bred by Susan Seper and foaled in Florida, his...
won at Calder, although was later defeated in the Breeders' Cup. The Summit of Speed has turned out to be the single biggest day in the history of Calder. In 2004, over $10.8 million was wagered on the event.
The "Florida Million" is a $1.2 million dollar 8 race stakes program for Florida-breds taking place late in the year. These races consist of the $200,000 Carl G. Rose Classic Handicap, the $150,000 Bonnie Heath Turf Cup Handicap, the $200,000 Elmer Heubeck Distaff Handicap, the $150,000 Jack Dudley Sprint Handicap, the $100,000 Arthur Appleton Juvenile Turf, the $150,000 Joe O’Farrell Juvenile Fillies, the $150,000 Jack Price Juvenile, and the $100,000 John Franks Juvenile Fillies Turf.
In 2003, the unincorporated area where Calder is located became the City of Miami Gardens, the third largest city in Miami-Dade county.
On June 4, 2005, jockey Eddie Castro
Eddie Castro
Eddie Castro is a Panamanian-born jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He grew up on a produce farm in Panama where he learned to ride saddle horses. Influenced by the accomplishments of other local jockeys, Castro attended the Panamanian jockey school and began riding in races in...
set the North American record for the most wins in a day at one track, winning 9 races at Calder.
In late-2009, Calder changed its official name to Calder Casino & Race Course, and opened Studz Poker Club, a 29-table card room located in the Grandstand.
The grand opening of the Calder Casino was celebrated in January 2010.
Calder is the site of the Ocala Breeders' Sales. The world record for the most spent on a Thoroughbred at sale took place at Calder in 2006 when a two-year-old horse sold for $16 million. The horse was later named The Green Monkey
The Green Monkey
The Green Monkey is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. At the January 2006 Fasig-Tipton Calder sale of selected two-year-olds, The Green Monkey was sold for a world record auction price of $16 million....
.
Physical attributes
The length of the main track is one-mile (1.6 km) with 1/4 and 7/8 chutes. Surface is 12” sand and marl (clay) base with 4.5” of sand and marl cushion. The turf course is 7/8 mile with 1/4 mile chute. The surface is Tifton #419 Bermuda grass. The stable area has stalls for 1,850 thoroughbredThoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s plus receiving barn, neighboring training center (not owned by Calder), feed rooms, tack rooms, detention barns, and living quarters. In addition it has a seating capacity for more than 12,000 people. The size of the parcel is 220 acre (0.8903092 km²).
TV Personalites
- Ron Nicolleti (1989–2008)
- Caton Bredar (1992–1994)
- Todd Schrupp (1991–1998)
- Bobby Newman (1999–present)
- Meredith Gleaves (2008–2010)
- Anthony Schweiker (2010–present)
Bobby Newman:
Bobby Newman has been the television host at Calder since 1999. Bobby was named the track announcer in 2005.
Anthony Schweiker:
Anthony Schweiker, a former jockey, is the Publicity Manager at Calder and Co-Host of the handicapping TV show "Calder Today." He also writes the "Weekly Blog from Your Man at the Track" on the Calder web site. Anthony also posts his picks on the Calder website as well.
Racing
Calder Race Course holds many overnight stakes and handicaps. Its current Graded stakes raceGraded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
s include:
Grade I:
- Princess Rooney HandicapPrincess Rooney HandicapThe Princess Rooney Handicap is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the second week of July at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida, the six furlong sprint on dirt is open to fillies and mares age three-years and older....
Grade II:
- Carry Back StakesCarry Back StakesThe Carry Back Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida. Run during the first part of July, the race is open to three-year-old horses willing to race six furlongs on the dirt...
- La Prevoyante HandicapLa Prevoyante HandicapThe La Prevoyante Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida. The race is open to filles and mares, age three and up, willing to race one and one-half miles on turf...
- Smile Sprint HandicapSmile Sprint HandicapThe Smile Sprint Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1999 at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Grade II sprint is open to horses, age three and up, willing to race six furlongs on the dirt....
- W.L. McKnight Handicap
Grade III:
- Azalea Stakes
- Calder DerbyCalder DerbyThe Calder Derby presented by Woodford Reserve is an American Grade III Thoroughbred horse race run annually in October at Calder Race Course in Miami, Florida...
- Frances A. Genter StakesFrances A. Genter StakesThe Frances A. Genter Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the end of December at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida. Contested on turf over a distance of 7½ furlongs, the Grade III event is open to three-year-old fillies....
- Fred W. Hooper HandicapFred W. Hooper HandicapThe Fred W. Hooper Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida. A Grade III event, it is open to horses age three and older and is contested on dirt at a distance of 1 1/8 miles...
- Kenny Noe, Jr. Handicap
- Memorial Day HandicapMemorial Day HandicapThe Memorial Day Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually on Memorial Day at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida. A Grade III event, it is open to horses age three and older. It is contested on dirt at a distance of 11/16 miles and offers a purse of...
- Miami Mile HandicapMiami Mile HandicapThe Miami Mile Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the last week of April at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida...
- My Charmer HandicapMy Charmer HandicapThe My Charmer Handicap is an American Grade IIIT Thoroughbred horse race run on the turf course at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida each year....
- Stage Door Betty HandicapStage Door Betty HandicapThe Stage Door Betty Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually since 2001 at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida. Open to Fillies and Mares, age three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of 1 1/16 miles ....
- Spend A Buck HandicapSpend A Buck HandicapThe Spend A Buck Handicap is an American Grade III Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1991 in mid October at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida...
- Tropical Park DerbyTropical Park DerbyThe Tropical Park Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race run at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida on New Year’s Day which makes it the first “derby” of the year. The one and one eighth mile Ungraded stakes race run on turf for 3-year-olds offers a purse of $100,000 added. Prior...
- Tropical Turf HandicapTropical Turf HandicapThe Tropical Turf Handicap is an American Grade IIIT Thoroughbred horse race run on the turf course at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida each year...
Non-graded stakes:
- Brave Raj StakesBrave Raj StakesThe Brave Raj Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late September at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida. Open to two-year-old fillies, it is raced over a distance of one mile and seventy yards...
- J J's Dream StakesJ J's Dream StakesThe J J's Dream Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the first part of July at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida. Open to two-year-old fillies, it is contested on dirt over a distance of six furlongs....
- Tropical Park OaksTropical Park OaksThe Tropical Park Oaks is an American Thoroughbred horse race run at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida usually on New Year’s Day. The one and one sixteenth mile ungraded stakes turf event for 3-year-old fillies offers a purse of $100,000 added....
- What a Pleasure StakesWhat a Pleasure StakesThe What a Pleasure Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds held annually at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is currently an ungraded stakes race run over a distance of 8.5 furlongs on dirt....
Florida Stallion Stakes:
Annually since 1982, Calder has hosted the Florida Stallion Stakes
Florida Stallion Stakes
The Florida Stallion Stakes is an American series of Thoroughbred horse races run annually at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida. Created in 1982 to benefit the Florida Thoroughbred breeding industry, it is open to two-year-olds sired by a nominated Florida stallion and raced over three...
series for two-year-olds consisting of the:
- Desert Vixen Stakes
- Dr. Fager Stakes
- Susan's Girl Stakes
- Affirmed Stakes
- My Dear Girl Stakes
- In Reality Stakes
Jockey colony
Calder's jockey colony is reflective of the diversity of Miami. With the Calder oval serving as a launching pad for jockeys coming from Latin America and the Caribbean, many jockeys have gained valuable riding experience before success at other racetracks across the country. Top jockeys who started their careers at Calder include JavierJavier Castellano
Javier Castellano is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.Castellano began his riding career in his native Venezuela in 1996 and in June 1997 moved to the United States where rode at race tracks in southern Florida until 2001 when he moved to race on the New York State racing circuit.In...
and Abel Castellano (Venezuela), Eibar Coa
Eibar Coa
Eibar Coa Monteverde is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. A five-time judo champion in his teens, he attended jockey school from 1989 to 1991 then began his professional riding career in 1992...
(Venezuela), Rene Douglas
Rene R. Douglas
Rene R. Douglas Panama is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. Born into a Thoroughbred racing family, after attending jockey school Douglas rode in his native Panama for a year and a half before moving to the United States in 1983. His first major win came in 1989 in the prestigious...
(Panama), Shaun Bridgmohan
Shaun Bridgmohan
Shaun X. Bridgmohan is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.At age thirteen, Bridgmohan's family emigrated to the United States, settling in South Florida where he developed an interest in horse racing...
(Jamaica), Edgar Prado (Peru), Pedro Rodriguez (Cuba), Alex Solis
Alex Solis
Alex O. Solis is a jockey based in the United States. He currently lives in Glendora, California and rides predominantly in Southern California...
(Panama), José Ferrer (Puerto Rico), Jorge Chavez
Jorge F. Chavez
Jorge F. Chavez is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.Chavez began his career in horse racing in 1982 in his native Peru and by 1987 was his country's leading rider. In April 1988 he emigrated to the United States where he raced with a great deal of success at Florida race tracks...
(Peru), Jose Santos (Chile), Cornelio Velasquez
Cornelio Velásquez
Cornelio H. Velásquez is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He was introduced to horse racing at age fifteen by trainer Carlos Salazar Guardia in his native Panama and enrolled in the national jockey school...
(Panama), Manoel Cruz (Brazil), Jacinto Vasquez
Jacinto Vásquez
Jacinto Vásquez is a retired Hall of Fame thoroughbred jockey. He rode two Kentucky Derby winners, Foolish Pleasure in 1975 and Genuine Risk in 1980, but may be best known as the regular jockey for the great filly Ruffian.-Biography:...
(Panama-retired) and Eddie Castro
Eddie Castro
Eddie Castro is a Panamanian-born jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He grew up on a produce farm in Panama where he learned to ride saddle horses. Influenced by the accomplishments of other local jockeys, Castro attended the Panamanian jockey school and began riding in races in...
(Panama) among others. In addition, Stewart Elliott
Stewart Elliott
Stewart Elliott is an American thoroughbred jockey.Elliott grew up in horse racing; his father was a jockey for many years, his mother rode show horses and was a riding instructor, and his uncle owns a racing stable in Canada...
of Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones is a thoroughbred race horse, and winner of the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He finished second in the Belmont Stakes that took place on June 5th, 2004....
fame and Gary Boulanger
Gary Boulanger
Gary Dale Boulanger is a former jockey who competed in Canada and the United States and who is currently a trainer in Florida. He began his career in 1987 at Tampa Bay Downs then went to the Pacific Northwest where he was the leading jockey for three straight years from 1989 through 1991 at...
(retired) are a few Canadians
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
who led the ranks at Calder early in their careers.
Winners of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
The Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey is an American thoroughbred horse racing honor. Created in 1971, it is part of the Eclipse Awards program and is awarded annually to a jockey undergoing their apprenticeship....
that hailed from Calder when they won – Rosemary Homeister
Rosemary Homeister, Jr.
Rosemary Homeister, Jr. is an American jockey in thoroughbred horse racing. Both of Homeister's parents were jockeys and as a result she grew up riding horses. Her mother is now a horse trainer at the Calder Race Course where Rosemary won her first race as an apprentice jockey...
(1992), Phil Teator (1997), Shaun Bridgemohan (1998) and Eddie Castro (2003). Jockeys whose careers started at Calder and went on to Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey
The Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey is an American thoroughbred horse racing honor for jockeys first awarded in 1971. Part of the Eclipse Awards program, it is awarded annually....
: Jerry Bailey (2000–2003; 1995–1997), Jorge Chavez (1999), Mike E. Smith (1993), Jose Santos (1988).
Calder Race Course Hall of Fame
The Calder Hall of Fame was created in 1995 to honor those who have made history at Calder Race Course.Inductees include:
- Princess RooneyPrincess RooneyPrincess Rooney was an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse who was the first winner of a Breeders' Cup race to be inducted into the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame....
(1995) - Spend A BuckSpend A BuckSpend A Buck was an American thoroughbred race horse.-Background:Spend A Buck was sired by Buckaroo out of the dam Belle de Jour...
(1995) - Gene St. LeonGene St. LeonGene St. Leon is a retired Champion jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.In 1971 he was among the recipients of the newly created Eclipse Award program when he was voted that year's Outstanding Apprentice Jockey. He was inducted in Calder Race Course Hall of Fame in 1995...
(1995) - Fred W. HooperFred W. HooperFred William Hooper was an American Thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder. He was a member of The Jockey Club, an honorary director of the Breeders' Cup, and one of the founders of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and one of its first presidents.Born in Cleveland, Georgia, ...
(1995) - Jose Velez, Jr. (1997)
- Cherokee RunCherokee RunCherokee Run is an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by 1982 Canadian Hall of Fame inductee Runaway Groom, who in turn was a son of leading sire Blushing Groom...
(1998) - John J. Tammaro, Jr.John J. Tammaro, Jr.John J. Tammaro, Jr. was an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.Born in Baltimore, Maryland into a horse racing family, John Tammaro was still a young boy when his father died from injuries suffered in a racing accident at Belmont Park...
(1999) - Jacinto VasquezJacinto VásquezJacinto Vásquez is a retired Hall of Fame thoroughbred jockey. He rode two Kentucky Derby winners, Foolish Pleasure in 1975 and Genuine Risk in 1980, but may be best known as the regular jockey for the great filly Ruffian.-Biography:...
(1999) - Miguel A. Rivera (2000)
- Mike GonzalezMike GonzalezMike Gonzalez or González may refer to:* Mike González , Cuban baseball catcher* Mike Gonzalez , American baseball pitcher* Mike Gonzalez , British historian and literary critic...
(2001) - Alex SolisAlex SolisAlex O. Solis is a jockey based in the United States. He currently lives in Glendora, California and rides predominantly in Southern California...
(2002) - Ocala Stud Farm (2002)
- John A. FranksJohn A. FranksJohn Franks was an American businessman and a Thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder. A native of Haughton, Louisiana, he earned a degree in geology from Louisiana State University. In 1962, he founded the highly successful Franks Petroleum Inc. and later invested in real estate with Franks...
(2003) - Mary Russ (2003)
- Martin D. WolfsonMartin D. WolfsonMartin "Marty" D. Wolfson is an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. He embarked on a professional training career in the early 1970s. He is the son of Louis Wolfson, owner of Florida's Harbor View Farm who won the U.S...
(2003) - Eibar CoaEibar CoaEibar Coa Monteverde is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. A five-time judo champion in his teens, he attended jockey school from 1989 to 1991 then began his professional riding career in 1992...
(2004) - Rosemary Homeister, Jr.Rosemary Homeister, Jr.Rosemary Homeister, Jr. is an American jockey in thoroughbred horse racing. Both of Homeister's parents were jockeys and as a result she grew up riding horses. Her mother is now a horse trainer at the Calder Race Course where Rosemary won her first race as an apprentice jockey...
(2006) - Frank Gomez (1995)
- Edward Plesa, Jr. (2007)