Gulfstream Park Officials have provided the following hurricane preparedness information for horsemen stabled at Gulfstream Park, as well as Calder (Gulfstream Park West) and Palm Meadows:
According to
Broward County Emergency Management Agency, Gulfstream Park is located in a mandatory evacuation zone, and is required to be evacuated and completely shut down once a hurricane warning is issued for Category 3 or above.
It is critical that we all know what to do and when to do it in a timely manner.
Weather Conditions and Processes:
96-72 Hours Prior to Hurricane Warning
IF
Declared for South Florida
Gulfstream Park officials will communicate to horsemen and everyone on the Backstretch about weather updates, and to start the process of making sure everything in barn area is put away (for example all wheel barrels, rakes, pitch forks, buckets, etc.--anything that could blow away that needs to be
secured
).
Announcements will be made, texts will be sent out, and any other communication will be made.
Hurricane Warning: This condition is declared when the hurricane conditions are expected within 24 to 36 hours. Hurricane conditions include winds 74 miles per hour or greater and the evacuation process will be started then (if not sooner) once the warning is issued for a Category 3 or greater.
In the event a Hurricane Warning is declared for South Florida, horses and employees will have to be shipped to Palm Meadows Training Center.
It is up to each individual trainer to make their own shipping arrangements to leave the property to head up to Palm Meadows. Every horse will have a stall assigned beforehand and all employees will have a place to stay during the time period that they are at the training center.
Post-Event Recovery: As soon as it is practical after the storm has passed and travel on public roadways is safe, Gulfstream Park will begin its recovery operations. The property will need to be cleaned up to ensure that the Backstretch is back to normal living conditions for both horses and Backstretch employees. An assessment of the property will be done and, once approved by Gulfstream Park management, it will be communicated to horsemen and plans will be made to ship back to the normal barns that were previously assigned.
Please find below important contact names and numbers:
Gulfstream Park Hurricane Hot Line: 954-457-7990
Gulfstream Park Key Telephone Contacts:
Joe Lopez, Operating Manager: 305.923.8949
Eddie Colleti, Stall Manager: 352.817.3366
Billy Badgett, General Manager: 516.641.2635
Chris Camac, Racing Secretary: 954.658.7661
Billy Rose, Security Director: 857.312.5048
Joe Russo, GPW: 917.613.5727
Dave Vivian, Backside Maintenance: 754.204.1151
Marcelo Toldedo, Health and Safety Director: 305.301.9690
Traci Ferguson, VP HR: 352.817.5112
Sid Buhagiar, Facilities Manager: 754.581.6411
Chip Spencer, Assistant 954-816-4726
Palm Meadows Training Center: 561-731-3890
Michael Petro, Palm Meadows Mgr. 240-565-5360
Horse Transportation
Brook Ledge Horse Transport: 800-523-8143 / 352-690-2000
Lorraine Horse Transport: 305-345-4196 / 352-622-2214
Sallee Horse Vans: 800-967-8267 / 352-622-2514
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