Never before knowing her
touch, Hialeah Park is a lifelong love never fulfilled. My gaze first fell upon
the winter oasis lifetimes ago. Gardens and fountains of warmth, palm trees and
pink flamingos of the exotic, her siren song romanced
my impressionable young soul. Glamor by name, she has known millionaires,
movies stars, and heads of state. But more than that, she has lovingly invited
the majestic equine under her embrace. Horse racing is her game. Forego, Seattle
Slew, Alydar, and Spectacular Bid were childhood friends of mine. To her,
though, they were dinner guests, esteemed visitors that graced her banquets and
left those lucky enough to be in attendance with unbreakable memories. I may have watched from within four walls, but no matter, feeling her charms just the
same. Timeless beauty may be passé, but not her. She holds her elegance in a syncopated
rhythm, oblivious to counting years gone by. Where Seabiscuit began and War
Admiral finished, where Gen. Duke and Bold Ruler became entwined in history. Winds
have changed, times have blown in and out, and still Lady Hialeah holds on. Architectural
treasure and international flare, she is like no other. Patient, while singing
all the time, she is still calling me. I will let Citation stare into and through
my eyes, sharing a love, moment in time, and experience. Sopping up the day
like bread to gravy, I will be ten again. Passage
in hand, a destination or a lifetime date with destiny; Hialeah Park beckons me
home again, for the very first time.