NATIONAL ROUNDUP : Record 30,472 Celebrate Hialeah’s Return

A crowd of 30,472 attended re-opening day at Hialeah Park near Miami on Sunday, raising hopes that the jewel of Florida tracks will prosper during its 50-day meet.

The crowd broke Hialeah’s opening day attendance record of 28,945 set in 1971 and generated a handle of $2,106,558.

“I’m shocked out of my socks,” said Hialeah’s owner, John J. Brunetti, who added that he had hoped for a turnout of 15,000. “This is beyond our wildest expectations.”

Poor attendance forced Brunetti to close the track 23 months ago after only 25 days of a 158-day winter meeting. Deregulation of racing dates in 1989 allowed nearby Calder Race Course to operate simultaneously. This time, Hialeah has been granted 50 exclusive dates. The meet will conclude Jan. 7.

Even without competition, Brunetti doubts Hialeah will make money this year.

Breaking even would require daily attendance of 9,000 and a mutuel handle of $1.6 million, with $600,000 coming from simulcasting, a new source of revenue for the track.

“It’s got to be one of the prettiest race tracks in the country,” jockey Pat Day said. “I’d hate to see it go under, because it is such a beautiful place and there is such history here.”

Windswept Wings led all the way in scoring a two-length victory in the $98,850 East View Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.

The winner, ridden by Herb McCauley, covered seven furlongs in 1:25 3/5 over a fast track. Windswept Wings returned $12, $6.60 and $5.60.

Favored Phantom Breeze drew alongside the leaders in the stretch turn and pulled away for a three-length victory in the $25,560 Veteran Day Salute Purse at Churchill Downs.

Phantom Breeze scored his third victory in 10 starts this year, covering 1 3/8 miles on the turf in 2:18 to return $4.40, $3.40 and $2.80.