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Calder Racetrack

Calder Race Course is a horse racetrack in Miami Gardens, Florida in the United States.

History

In the mid-1960's, real estate developer Stephen A. Calder envisioned summertime racing in Florida; in 1965, on the advice of Mr. Calder, the Florida Legislature approved a bill allowing for it. Prior to this time, a fall meet was held at Tropical Park in Miami and a spring meet at Gulfstream Park 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 and in 1972 racing ceased at Tropical Park.

The 1980's brought about renovations and expansions and two purchases. The first purchase was by Bertram 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 of 1999, Churchill Downs Incorporated 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 champions and Eclipse award winners since it’s start in 2000. (The Eclipse award is the highest honor bestowed in racing). In its short history, the Summit of Speed has attracted the country's top sprinters, including Cajun Beat and Orientate who both went on to win Breeders' Cup Sprint championship races (Orientate 2002, Cajun Beat 2003). Plus, in 2005, Lost in the Fog 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. However, impending Hurricane Dennis post-poned the 2005 Summit by a day leading to a drop in handle to $7 million.

In 2003, the unincorporated area where Calder is located became the City of Miami Gardens, the third largest city in Miami-Dade county. In 2004, Calder has opened a card room on the premises which was relocated to Gulfstream Park in 2006. Calder is hoping for an expansion into slot machines.

On June 4, 2005, jockey Eddie Castro set the North American record for the most wins in a day at one track, winning 9 races at Calder.

Calder also plays host to the Florida Stallion Stakes program, which had record nominations this year. In addition, Calder is site for two prestigious horse sales annually, the Ocala Breeders’ Sales and the Fasig Tipton 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.