Hialeah Park (cont.) - a photo album from 2010

Dear Barbara: Please would you consider doing a photo book on Hialeah with your awesome photographs?? I believe a photo book would help educate others about the history & beauty of Hialeah Racetrack. I know I would purchase several, for me and my friends. FYI: Secretariat spent his winters, training at Hialeah, even though he never raced there.

Didn't mean to confuse anyone, so I'll stand by "If you were at the Citation statue looking north it would have been to the left or NW of the grounds" in regards to the old aviary - there was only one. On further review, it was NOT behind the "Gift Shop" doors which were under the Grandstand. It was awhile ago. And "Let it Ride" is a great, and perceptive, movie. Often we would watch our last bet from just opposite the 1/4 pole. If we won we could walk back and cash, if not it was a fifty foot walk to the tunnel which went under that 3 F chute and out to the parking lot that was behind those tall hedges, that you see in the old famous races, behind the far turn. There used to be a sax player playing there with open case for gratuities, and we all know that gratuities make the world go around. Thanks!

that platform WAS used for concerts. Bands would play up there and I think they even had some talent shows going on up there also. It's since been torn down, which is very sad as it was such a part of the old Hialeah. I was at Hialeah this past weekend and was sad to see it torn down along with the old aviary and aquarium buildings. Even sadder for me was to see the little tree that grew on top of the elevator shaft on the North end of the building gone. I've taken photos of that tree since it started growing up there, I was hoping they would save it. At Christmas time one of the employees there would put lights on it. They have re-planted alot of the other palms and trees they had to take out and they put them over on the Northwest corner of the property so I'm glad they could save some of those. Let's just HOPE that they can get The Breeders Cup to come there, it would be so wonderful for Hialeah. Thank you for your gorgeous photos of such a beloved track. Hialeah is my favorite place in the world to be. You should do a photo book of Hialeah so people who haven't been there could see it through your eyes. There is a wonderful book that was written about Hialeah and of course one of the BEST racetrack movies ever was filmed there.....Let It Ride... I still watch that movie every month just to see Hialeah in it's old days. I hope they'll restore the ole Turf Club to it's glory. Did you get a chance to go into the Executive Room? it's spendid with all its wood and old paintings. There is a tunnel that runs along the whole building underneath the place. And then there's the little tunnel outside by the Widener Fountain also, that was used for people who were leaving to get to the parking lot so they would be out of the cars way that were leaving the clubhouse. I hope you go back every year and take more photos for everyone to see. Thanks from a Hialeah fan!!!! >

Hi, I believe the “Gift Shop” was under the grandstand. If you went a hundred feet or so west, past “Stuttering Lou’s” hot dog stand and the fountain, there were a similar set of doors that opened up to a betting area which provided air-conditioned comfort as well as the usual food and drink. And those aviary doors were at the back, almost hidden. Certainly not obvious. I thing they had water sprayers in the aviary for a real tropical feel and there were parrots and toucans and other tropical birds as well as an area for peacocks. Go figure. I went there a long time ago, but your pictures bring so much back. I remember Hialeah as a great place that was all about great horses, and great connections, but there was so much more to it than just that. I’m glad Hialeah Park is coming back. Thanks. >

Hi Barbara, I noticed that Sandra mentioned the aquarium. So I think I finally placed the aviary as I wandered into it quite by accident. If you were at the Citation statue looking north it would have been to the left or NW of the grounds. On one hot day when they had the late April dates we went thru those "Gift Shop" doors and there was an air-conditioned area for betting as well as "cold-ones". Off to the side was a set of doors that lead to the aviary. I mostly remember a lot of parrots although someone made reference to "Toucan Sam always knows" so... And he must have because I also remember hitting after going back to the races from the aviary on a very hot day. Thanks for this delightful trip back to HIALEAH!!! < You got me chuckling again - thanks so much! Great recollection and it's helpful in letting me picture the aviary. An aviary (and especially one that helps provide winners, ha ha)...that thought is just wonderful for a racetrack. - Barbara >>

Thank You so very much for sharing a little bit of Hialeah,s history with us.As always your photos are superb .

Barbara, I just finished viewing all three parts of this photo shoot of Hialeah. Your photography is sheer poetry! Thank you so much and thank you to the bloggers who shared their heartfelt memories! I shall make it to Hialeah or my name is not Nancy! A toast to the great horses who raced there, to those yet to come and to Hialeah continuing without further threats to its longevity.

Edit. *Los Alamitos race course. And *Gulfstream. Thank you again for such great images.

Food coloring #40 (red dye) is incorporated into their feed to give off the pink coloring...it's not harmful to the birds at all...FDCA approved. It's akin to Kool-aid.Not harmful at all.

Definitely on my list bucket! What history, tranquility and beauty your pictures disclose. Thank you for sharing.

Beautiful pictures of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Hialeah's rejuvenation might turn out to be one of the greatest comebacks of all time. Thank God the wrecking ball didn't make it there. Otherwise it might have been another shopping mall.

Absolutely stunning and beautiful photographs that capture Hialeah Race Track's rejuvenation.

WOW. Thank you for these photos. Seeing them makes me want to definitely go meet this classic park. It's really breathtaking the beauty of it. It looks like a nice cozy track. That classic rustic look really gives some character to this place. I am in California and I get the same cozy feeling from Los Almeria race course out here and I am definitely spoiled by the beauty of Santa Anita and Del Mar. But Hialeah is on top of my list to visit now when I go to Florida and Goldstein too! Thanks.