Tropical Park Race Track
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Horse racing |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Founder | Bill Dwyer, Frank Bruen |
| Defunct | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Miami , United States |
Area served | Greater Miami metropolitan area |
Key people | Henry L. Straus (president until 1953), Saul Silberman (owner 1953–1971), William L. McKnight (owner post-1971) |
| Products | Thoroughbred and Standardbred horse racing events |
Tropical Park Race Track was a horse racing venue located at the junction of Bird Road and the Palmetto Expressway in Southwest Dade Miami, within the greater Miami, Florida metropolitan area and what is now known as Olympia Heights. Established by bootlegger Bill Dwyer alongside Frank Bruen, with financial support from Canadian spirits magnate Samuel Bronfman, the track operated from December 26, 1931, through January 15, 1972. It accommodated events for both Thoroughbred and Standardbred horse racing disciplines.
During the 1966-67 season, Tropical Park was among the first to introduce synthetic racetrack surfaces by implementing "Tartan Turf," a rubberized material developed by 3M. Positioned inside the traditional dirt course, this surface was used for only one race each day due to widespread safety concerns expressed by horse owners and trainers.
In 1953, following the death of president Henry L. Straus in an aviation accident, gambler Saul Silberman purchased Tropical Park. Silberman, previously a major stakeholder in the Cleveland Browns and proprietor of Ohio tracks Randall Park and Painesville Raceway, oversaw operations until his passing in 1971. Afterwards, William L. McKnight—an influential backer of the newly established Calder Race Course—acquired the property and declared intentions to close Tropical Park, transferring its racing dates to Calder. The facility ended its racing activities after the 1972 season.
By 1979, Miami-Dade County had transformed the former race track into Tropical Park, a public sports complex featuring amenities such as the Tropical Park Stadium for track and field competitions and an equestrian center housed in the original racetrack stables.