Gulfstream Park Racecourse

This well-known Florida track has been the venue for the Breeders’ Cup series on three occasions, this hugely popular venue having hosted its first race meeting in 1939.

Situated just a few miles north of Miami, three popular Grade 1 races are held here each year including the Pegasus World Cup, the Pegasus World Cup Turf and the Florida Derby.

The course had its latest major renovation in 2014 which included the addition of a 30 metre high statue of Pegasus and a Dragon. This is the second largest statue in the United States, behind only New York’s Statue of Liberty.

Racecourse Facts

Course Summary

This is an oval-shaped course which features a dirt track with a turf track on the inside, the former possessing long and sweeping turns and the latter featuring sharp corners. Both of these tracks are used regularly in all meetings which take place from July to October and from December to May. Whilst a fair course all in all, it is certainly one where past experience and knowledge of the course are important. Renovations carried out in 2005 made both circuits a little longer than they had previously been.

Gulfstream Park Dirt Track

The dirt track at Gulfstream Park measures approximately one mile one furlong and a chute means that races up to one mile can be run on the straight. There is generally has a strong pace bias. This track tends to ride faster on the inside and as such, saving ground is very important here. Should your horse find itself in a pace duel at the front, then racing towards the middle in the turns is best avoided.

Some of America’s top jockeys have appeared at this venue in recent seasons, with the top rider standings being dominated by Irad Ortiz jnr. The likes of Paco Lopez, Tyler Gaffalione and Luis Saez also have their fair share of winners during this time. With regard to trainers, Todd Pletcher and Michael Maker have regularly topped the rankings in recent years, while Antonio Sana and local trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. have been noticeably well represented too.

Gulfstream Park Turf Track

The turf track was added in 1959, with dirt being the more common surface in the US. This track has a circumference of approximately one mile, though a portable rail means this is changeable. It generally runs pretty firm thanks to the hot and dry Florida weather, although sudden downpours can alter that. This is a course that suits those who go off with early speed and it is an advantage to be drawn close to the rail. Swinging wider along the straight can also be a distinct advantage for runners.

Major Races at Gulfstream Park