SUPER OTB ACTION AUG. 31 & SEPT. 1 - $3.1 MILLION NASHVILLE DERBY & MORE * OPEN LABOR DAY FOR POKER, OTB & PADDOCK DINING FROM 11:30AM * UPCOMING SHOWS GOUMBA JOHNNY SEPT. 28, THE PURE ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE OCT. 11 & MORE - SEE EVENTS FOR MORE INFO * SPORTS BETTING IS HERE, SIGN UP NOW!
WSOPC history is made at the first non-casino circuit event. Over 8K participants, $3.7 million in payouts, and the first ever $1 Million Guarantee. Over 2K hotel nights are booked creating close to $1M in local economic impact.
Due to popular demand, year-round racing is granted in a bill passed by the Florida Legislature. Hailed as one of the nation’s finest entertainment complexes, nearly a million patrons visit the Club during the 1980’s.
The Rooney Family has owned and operated the Club since this time and has introduced many new entertainment options and received numerous community awards and honors.
Boggiano sells the track to Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. and his five sons — Dan, Art Jr., Tim, John and Pat. The Rooney Family also owns the Pittsburgh Steelers, Yonkers Raceway & Empire Casino in NY.
The O.M. Carmichael Family, builders of the original facility, sell the track to a group headed by Phil Bryan. It is later sold to a group headed by Bernie Griffin.
The racing “season” that year lasted only 38 racing days with a total year attendance of 72,585 and bets totaling $614,538 (That’s $10,826,320.43 in 2016 dollars).