MEETINGS WITH BRUNETTI ABOUT HIALEAH CALLED ‘PRODUCTIVE’
Meetings between Hialeah Park owner John Brunetti and a team of advisers representing track suitor Halsey Minor were held last Thursday in South Florida and described as “productive” by individuals involved.
Minor, a Virginia-based owner and breeder and the Internet entrepreneur who founded and later sold the technology Web site CNET.com, assembled a team of experts who made presentations to Brunetti on a variety of issues related to Minor’s interest in buying, renovating and reopening the historic track. In advance of the meetings, a telephone book-sized proposal went to Brunetti that included a detailed operating plan, plus cost estimates on architectural work and construction for renovations to existing buildings and a new stable area. The proposal also included some architectural renderings and layouts. The mayor of Hialeah also received the notebook.
Minor did not attend the meetings.
According to one source, Brunetti used the opportunity to drill the people who drafted the individual reports on their assumptions. Brunetti made a number of suggestions in response to the proposals and indicated he is interested in meeting again with Minor in the near future.
Hialeah Park has been closed to racing since May 2001.
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Tags: cnet.com, florida racing, Halsey Minor, hialeah, Hialeah Park, Horse Racing, john brunetti, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, south florida
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I met Jean Cruguet, Jockey of Seattle Slew (Flamingo Stakes winner of 1977) and Jockey Bobby Ussery at the Secretariat Festival this past Saturday, September 20, 2008 at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in Paris, Ky. They said ” They would LOVE to see Hialeah re-opened by Halsey Minor. They also mentioned they would be there for Hialeah’s Opening Day, when the day comes and they were sure many other jockeys and trainers would come as well! They are ALL well aware of Halsey Minor trying to purchase Hialeah & they support him!
September 24th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Considering we rae in the era of racing surface safety it is ironic that reopening Hialeah comes up as a topic for it has the best racing surface in the country. It is also ironic that some of my Floridian friends that wanted it closed 20 yrs ago are now hoping it reopens. Kinda speaks volumes for the jobs done at Calder and Gulfstream………….
September 24th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Why do my spider senses tell me that Brunetti is just jerking Halsey’s chain?
Brunetti loves the fact he actually is relevant again.