Gulfstream Park and Hialeah Park: Two Historic Racetracks in South Florida with Unique Offerings
Horses parade in the Gulfstream Park paddock. Photo by Tom Ferry.
When it comes to adrenaline, entertainment, and luxury, Gulfstream Park delivers in spades.
This Saturday, January 25, 2025, Gulfstream Park transforms into the epicenter of horse racing for the Pegasus World Cup, featuring the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) as the centerpiece of the day. The stakes are high—literally—with a full card of thrilling races that showcase the best in the business.
Gulfstream’s lively atmosphere, world-class facilities, and premier racing make it a magnet for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Whether you’re sipping champagne in the Carousel Club or placing your bets trackside, there’s no better way to spend a day in South Florida.
PEGASUS WORLD CUP DAY STAKES LINE UP
The “Pegasus and Dragon” statue looms over the Gulfstream Park entrance. Photo by Steve Heuertz.
The Pegasus World Cup card boasts a stellar lineup of stakes races, attracting top trainers, jockeys, and horses:
Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) – $3 million purse
Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes, Presented By Qatar Racing (G1) – $1 million purse
TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes, Presented By SirDavis American Whisky (G2) – $500,000 purse
Inside Information Stakes, Presented By MyRacehorse (G2) – $215,000 purse
La Prevoyante Stakes, Presented By Stella Artois (G3) – $165,000 purse
W. L. McKnight Stakes, Presented By Visit Lauderdale (G3) – $215,000 purse
Fred W. Hooper Stakes, Presented By Ketel One Vodka (G3) – $165,000 purse
Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes (Listed) – $165,000 purse
MORE THAN RACING: A TRUE SOUTH FLORIDA VIBE
City Of LIght wining the 2019 Pegasus World Cup (G1). Painting by Robert Clark.
The Pegasus World Cup isn’t just about the horses—it’s the full South Florida experience.
On race day, Gulfstream Park offers live performances by internationally acclaimed DJs Black Coffee and Diplo, along with a selection of premium dining options curated by Groot Hospitality. Whether you’re there for the track action, the entertainment, or simply to revel in the electric atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.
RACING YEAR-ROUND AT GULFSTREAM PARK
Gulfstream Park isn’t just a one-day wonder. Live racing runs year-round, with the Championship Meet anchoring the winter season and the Summer Meet providing thrilling action later in the year. In total, The Championship Meet, showcasing the world’s top horses, horsemen, and jockeys, features an impressive lineup of sixty-six stakes races, including thirty graded events, with purses totaling over $15 million..
Here are the major race days to circle on your calendar for the 2025 Championship Meet:
Holy Bull Day (February 1) – Featuring the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), a key prep race for the Florida Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1)
Fountain of Youth Day (March 1) – Highlighted by the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), a Kentucky Derby prep race on the Road To The Kentucky Derby, and the Fasig-Tipton Davona Dale (G2), a major prep race for the Kentucky Oaks (G1)
Florida Derby Day (March 29) – Featuring the $1 Million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) and the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), the final Kentucky Derby and Oaks preps for the year at Gulfstream Park, respectively.
A TIP OF THE HAT TO HISTORY: HIALEAH PARK
The statue of 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation at Hialeah Park Casino. Photo by Steve Heuertz.
Looking to experience more horse racing history in South Florida?
Just a short drive from Gulfstream Park, Hialeah Park remains a landmark for horse racing fans. While it no longer hosts live races, it’s a registered flamingo sanctuary, a hub for simulcasting, a lively casino, and a slice of horse racing history — Racing legends like Secretariat, Seabiscuit, and John Henry all ran here in its heydey. Its art deco charm and storied past make it a must-visit for any trip to Hialeah. In fact, it is one of the stops on our “Magical Places of American Horse Racing” tour.
In addition to historic Hialeah Park, the city is full of unique experiences waiting to be discovered. To cover just this, I was named an expert in an ApartmentGuide article, a subsidiary of Redfin. Check out the featured article: Unique Things to do in Hialeah, FL | ApartmentGuide.com.. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this guide uncovers some of Hialeah's hidden gems.
Steve Asmussen’s assistant trainer Scott Blasi and Gun Runner’s groom lead Gun Runner and Florent Geroux into the 2018 Pegasus World Cup (G1) Winners’ Circle.
Photo by Steve Heuertz.
POSITIONING YOUR BRAND IN THE WINNERS’ CIRCLE