Gulfstream barns to open early

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Gulfstream Park will open its barn area Oct. 22, two weeks earlier than usual, track president and general manager Scott Savin announced Friday.

The 2002 Gulfstream meet runs from Jan. 3 through April 24.

Savin said the decision was made to help horsemen who are forced to vacate their stalls at other tracks. This will allow them to come directly to Gulfstream instead of seeking temporary accommodations elsewhere.

"Only those trainers who have received prior approval of their stall applications will be permitted to bring horses into the stable area," said Dave Bailey, Gulfstream's director of racing and racing secretary.

Stall applicatons for the 2002 season are due by Oct. 3.