An exploration of the rich racing history of Gulfstream Park is featured on the next installment of HorseRacing TV’s “Inside Information,” which will air on Sunday at 9 p.m.
            Gulfstream Park is one of racing's most celebrated facilities, and its annual winter meeting is one of the game's most anticipated.  Gulfstream first opened its doors for racing on Feb. 1, 1939, before 18,000 racegoers.
            Gulfstream Park faced some difficult times in its infancy. The track closed during World War II, and wasn't re-opened until 1944, after it was taken over by James Donn. It has served as the proving ground for countless racing greats, as well as the stage for some of the sport's most significant races. The Grade 1 Florida Derby, the leading stepping-stone for the Kentucky Derby, was the first race in the state to offer a $100,000 purse.

In 1994, Holy Bull won the Florida Derby en route to Horse of the Year honors.

            A year later, the brilliant Cigar won the Donn and Gulfstream Park Handicap on the road to an undefeated season and Horse of the Year accolades.
            In September, 1999, Gulfstream Park was sold to Magna Entertainment Corporation, and plans were soon developed for a massive renovation of the facility, to keep Gulfstream Park healthy in a new era of racing.          Shortly after the conclusion of the 2004 meet, the old grandstand, clubhouse and some of the backside barns were leveled. The following season, temporary structures were used as work progressed on a state-of-the-art clubhouse. The track is now considered a model for the future. It contains two restaurants, two casinos and a shopping mall is being constructed.
            “There were other people who had looked at an urban center for a major U.S. sport facility. An arena, a football field, a baseball stadium, most have gone into tight infield urban situations,” said Stephen McCasey, special assistant to the MEC Board of Directors. “Gulfstream Park sits on 260 acres and we decided that we would create a shopping experience as a destination, but with a sport anchor. And our sport anchor is the sport of thoroughbred horseracing.”