Step onto the hallowed grounds of “the world’s most beautiful race course” with this inside look at Hialeah Park Casino and Racing, an icon in American horse racing!
Deep in the southern reaches of Florida just outside of Miami, sits historic Hialeah Park. Known as one of the most beautiful race tracks in the world, Hialeah Park has attracted millions of spectators eager to witness the excitement of the races while admiring 200 acres of picturesque landscapes, fragrant gardens, and the iconic facility’s elegant 16th century French Mediterranean architecture.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Hialeah Park has quite a story going back over 90 years. It was 1922 when the Miami Kennel Club opened America’s first pari-mutuel greyhound racetrack at Hialeah Park. By 1925, it became the Miami Jockey Club. Nicknamed the “Grand Dame”, when it first hosted thoroughbred horse racing in 1925, the horse races at Hialeah Park became a media sensation, making it the largest sporting event in Miami history up to that point.
Find out more about the time honored tradition of American Horse Racing.
Historic Hialeah Park became the first pari-mutuel greyhound track in the United States in 1922.
Some of Thoroughbred racing’s most famous horses competed on the Hialeah racetrack such as Seabiscuit, War Admiral, Citation, and Seattle Slew. Winston Churchill himself called the track “extraordinary”, and other notable guests have included the Kennedy Family, Presidents Harry Truman, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard Nixon along with Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, JP Morgan, and Joe DiMaggio. Amelia Earhart even said her final goodbyes to the United States at the Hialeah racetrack before she mysteriously disappeared during her flight around the world in 1937.
Get more gambling history with the History of Land Based Casinos in the United States.
In 1934, flamingos were imported from Cuba to Hialeah Park. Since then, the lake in the infield area of the race track has served as an official National Audubon Sanctuary for Hialeah’s “Famous Flamingos.” These exotic, and colorful birds add a touch of charm alongside Hialeah Park horse racing.
Hialeah Park’s Famous Flamingos add exotic charm to the race track.
In 1974, Hialeah Park appeared in the Academy Award winning film, The Godfather: Part II. Director Frances Ford Coppola chose Hialeah Park for Michael Corleone’s (Al Pacino) arrival to Miami from New York. The scene takes place with Michael Corleone’s black Cadillac driving past the iconic Citation statue located on the clubhouse side of the park.
Hialeah Park appears in the 1974 classic film, The Godfather: Part II, when Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) drives by the famous Citation statue.
When Classic Meets Modern
Hailing the adage, “Hialeah Park: Now and Forever”, the track carries on its rich tradition with a bright future ahead. American Quarter Horse racing continues during the live racing season. In addition, a multi-million dollar expansion and renovation revitalized the park, including the construction of a casino and future plans for a hotel, movie theater, and entertainment center.
The Hialeah Park and Casino recently opened after a multi-million dollar expansion and renovation of the park.
The Hialeah Park and Casino boasts over 800 slot machines, 23 poker tables, and 3 dominoes tables and regularly holds bingo games and poker tournaments. The casino also features electronic table machines with video dealers, offering a futuristic take on blackjack and roulette. Visitors can also enjoy live music and entertainment along with a selection of dining establishments that offer Cuban, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisine.
A modern spin on a classic favorite, Hialeah Casino offers electronic table machines for blackjack and roulette players.
Located just 10 minutes from South Beach and Downtown Miami, iconic Hialeah Park draws South Florida residents and international tourists alike to watch the horse races, wager at the casino, or enjoy the many other attractions.
Hialeah Park Casino address: 2200 E 4th AVE, Hialeah, FL 33013, United States
