Monday, January 5, 2015

Pegasus, Paddocks and Pies

November and December 2014 travel wrap-up – We visited all eight Florida Casinos, and seven racinos plus Tampa Bay Downs Thoroughbred Racetrack for a total of sixteen.  In addition, we attended the two day Florida Gaming Congress meeting where we saw live racing at all the racetracks and live Jai Alai in Miami.

The best racino: I’m very partial to Thoroughbred horse racing racinos so this was a tough call, but Gulfstream Park in Hallandale is a magnificent facility located in an incredible market. We were there on a beautiful South Florida day, saw great races plus all of the excitement and pageantry that goes with thoroughbred horse racing. Gulfstream’s unique and beautiful paddock has a large seating area for the pre-race review of the horses and jockeys.  Oh yes…there is a casino. A very nice one, with easy access from the Paddock and racecourse finish line stands.


The unique gaming facility overlooks the stands and racecourse

And now there is Pegasus, a 110-foot-high steel sculpture that greets visitors at the Gulfstream entryway.  For those who haven’t been there, it’s the racino to see – check the calendar so you attend on a live race day.


Pegasus at the entryway
(check out the bulldozer in the lower left for perspective)

The other three Florida thoroughbred racetrack casinos are Hialeah Park, Calder and Pompano Park.  Each has excellent facilities, outstanding casino and racetrack, paddock areas and operations. Each of the three also has substantial land for future development. I believe they will all play into the future of Florida destination resorts.  I recommend a race day visit to each.

The best casino: It’s a tie between Hard Rock, Tampa and Hard Rock, Hollywood. They’re among the top ten that I review across all nine southeastern states.  In addition, the ever-growing Seminole empire has a hotel under construction at its Immokalee casino.  I am impressed too with the Coconut Creek Casino. 

The most memorable taste of Florida was the kumquat pie at the Seminole Chief Billie Swamp Water Café in the Clewiston Casino. 


Kumquat pie at the Swamp Water Cafe is worth the stop

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