Calder Horseracing
Calder Race Course was a 220-acre thoroughbred racing facility in Miami, Florida, that featured two tracks - a dirt track and a turf track.
The venue hosted two racing meets, or seasons, each year: the Summer Meet, which was traditionally held from April to October, and the Fall/Winter Meet, which typically ran from October to January.
As one of the most prominent racing venues in the Sunshine State, Calder Race Course regularly hosted major American horseracing events. These prestigious dates included the Summit of Speed, the Festival of the Sun, The Florida Million, and the Grand Slam.
After nearly 50 years of competitive thoroughbred racing, the facility held its final live racing event on November 28, 2020. The conclusion of live racing marked the end of an era for the historic venue, following years of structural changes that included the demolition of its landmark seven-story grandstand in 2015. During its final seasons, the racing operations were managed under a lease agreement that rebranded the meets as Gulfstream Park West. Live horse racing was ultimately phased out completely in late 2020 as the property transitioned away from equestrian sports. Today, local thoroughbred racing has consolidated at alternative South Florida venues, while the remaining grounds operate exclusively as a casino and gaming facility.
Calder Race Course Facts
- Main Track Data
- One mile oval with 1/8 chute for 7 furlong and 1¼ miles races
- Soil: Sandy clay cushion with clay base
- Base: 9" compacted marl base on top of 8" lime rocksand
- Distance from the start of a 6 furlong race to thefirst turn: 1,436 feet
- Distance from final turn to finish line: 990 feet
- Width of stretch: 80 feet
- Width of backstretch: 75 feet
- Turf Course Data
- Distance: 7/8 mile oval, with one chute of a 1/4mile (diagonal straightaway), which allows for racesof two turns to be up to 1 1/8 miles. 1½ miles racesbegin on the backstretch, pass the stands and goaround the track again for a total of three turns.
- Distance from 1 mile start to first turn: 662 feet
- Distance from 1½ mile start to first turn (7/16 pole):1,322 feet
- Distance from final turn to finish line: 986 feet
- Width of course: 67 feet
Calder Race Course Records
Calder Race Course / Tropical Track Records
| DIST | HORSE | AGE | WGT | DATE | REC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Furlongs | Lifeisawhirl | 4 | 122 | Jul 15, 2000 | :20 4/5 |
| Puma | 4 | 122 | Jul 14, 2001 | :20 4/5 | |
| Baby Shark | 4 | 122 | Jul 13, 2002 | :20 4/5 | |
| 4 Furlongs (880 yards) | Diamond Studs | 6 | 123 | Jul 14, 2001 | :46 1/5 |
| 4 1/2 Furlongs | Gold Phantom | 2 | 118 | Sep 16, 2001 | :51 4/5 |
| 5 Furlongs | Honest | 3 | 117 | Jul. 1, 1996 | :57 3/5 |
| Groomstick Stock's | 6 | 115 | Jul 13, 2002 | :57 3/5 | |
| Flying Birdie | 4 | 122 | Sep 9, 2002 | :57 3/5 | |
| 5 1/2 Furlongs | Bernard's Candy | 3 | 118 | Aug 9, 2002 | 1:04 1/5 |
| 6 Furlongs | Forty One Carats | 4 | 116 | Oct 7, 2000 | 1:08 4/5 |
| 6 1/2 Furlongs | Tour Of The Cat | 4 | 119 | Aug 17, 2002 | 1:15 4/5 |
| 7 Furlongs | Constant Escort | 4 | 114 | Sep 28, 1996 | 1:21 4/5 |
| 1 Mile | High Ideal | 3 | 118 | Sep 15, 2001 | 1:36 1/5 |
| 1 Mile 70 Yards | Medieval Mac | 3 | 113 | Jul 10, 1993 | 1:41 3/5 |
| Halo's Image | 4 | 115 | Oct 31, 1995 | 1:41 3/5 | |
| 1 1/16 Miles | Castlebrook | 4 | 118 | Sep 15, 2001 | 1:42 2/5 |
| 1/8 Miles | Jumping Hill | 6 | 117 | Dec 30, 1978 | 1:50 |
| 1 3/16 Miles | Arctic Honeymoon | 4 | 114 | Jan 3, 1987 | 1:59 3/5 |
| 1 1/4 Miles | Wicapi | 4 | 114 | Jun 24, 1996 | 2:05 |
| 1 1/2 Miles | Lead'm Home | 3 | 111 | Dec 31, 1977 | 2:32 3/5 |
| 1 5/8 Miles | Timberlea Tune | 5 | 111 | Oct 16, 1971 | 2:50 1/5 |
| 1 3/4 Miles | Detective II | 7 | 113 | Oct 23, 1971 | 3:03 1/5 |
| 2 Miles | Detective II | 7 | 130 | Nov 11, 1971 | 3:30 1/5 |
Turf Course
| DIST | HORSE | AGE | WGT | DATE | REC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Furlongs | Heckofaralph | 5 | 118 | Aug 1, 1998 | :54 4/5* |
| 7 Furlongs | Carterista | 4 | 119 | Jun 19, 1993 | 1:22 1/5 |
| 7 1/2 Furlongs | Court Lark | 6 | 115 | Jul 16, 1994 | 1:26 2/5** |
| 1 Mile | Mr. Explosive | 4 | 115 | Oct 17, 1992 | 1:33 3/5 |
| Robyns Tune | 3 | 114 | Jun 15, 1998 | 1:33 3/5 | |
| Copy Editor | 6 | 116 | Aug 2, 1998 | 1:33 3/5 | |
| Dillonmyboy | 3 | 119 | Oct 30, 2000 | 1:33 3/5 | |
| Mr. Livingston | 4 | 115 | Sep 3, 2001 | 1:33 3/5 | |
| 1 1/16 Miles | Spendable | 5 | 117 | Jul 30, 1999 | 1:39 1/5 |
| 1 1/8 Miles | The Vid | 5 | 120 | Nov 25, 1995 | 1:44 4/5 |
| 1 3/8 Miles | King's Design | 3 | 114 | Jul 23, 1999 | 2:13 |
| 1 1/2 Miles | Flag Down | 5 | 116 | Dec 16, 1995 | 2:24 |
| 2 Miles | Skate On Thin Ice | 6 | 117 | Jan 2, 1996 | 3:21 4/5 |
Calder Race Course Milestones
Mid-1960s
In the mid-1960s, real estate businessman Stephen A. Calder and architect Stefan Zachar shared the vision of holding summertime horseracing in Florida.
1966
In 1966, the two gentlemen applied for race dates with the Florida horseracing authority. They leased Tropical Park to run the races on until they could build their own track. They enlisted the help of William L. McKnight of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) for the project.
1970
In 1970, Calder Race Course obtained a racing permit and held his first summer thoroughbred racing meet at Tropical Park.
1971
On May 6, 1971, the all new Calder Race Course opened and featured a track designed by 3M.
1972
On January 15, 1972, Tropical Park held its last race day.
1980 to 1984
From 1980 to 1984, Calder Race Course invested $10.5 million in improvements.
1988
In 1988, Bertram Firestone purchased Calder Race Course.
1992
In 1992, the Festival of the Sun, one of Calder Race Course's marquee events, was introduced.
1996
In 1996, Calder Race Course was able to offer full card simulcasting on a limited schedule.
1999
In 1999, Churchill Downs Inc. purchased Calder Race Course. The acquisition was valued at approximately $86 million.
2000
In 2000, the inaugural "Summit of Speed"; was held. It featured $1 million in sprint races. The "Summit of Speed"; is Calder Race Course's second marquee event.
2001 - present
From 2001 to the present, records in both handle and attendance sky-rocketed as Calder Race Course-hosted events met with unprecedented popularity.