Have you ever wondered where the expression "They are off and running at Hialeah" came from? This is something that both sets of our Canadian parents would say when we were growing up during the 1970s.

I figured that the expression was related to a race track of some sort...but the question became where is Hialeah? I did quite a bit of web searching under High Leah, Jai Leah etc before caving in and calling Mom. That is when I learned I had been spelling it wrong, and it was indeed a racetrack. In fact my Mom had been there once and one $11.00 bux on a $2.00 dollar bet. That is my Mom a high roller indeed!

Here is some info on Hialeah:

Grandstand and clubhouse at Hialeah Park. National Historic Landmarks photograph, taken by Mary Turnipseed, 1985.

The Hialeah Park Racetrack is one of the oldest existing recreational facilities in southern Florida. Originally built to attract the rich and famous, Hialeah Park has contributed to the popularization of South Florida as a winter resort.

Hialeah Park - walking rink and paddock area. National Historic Landmarks photograph, taken by Mary Turnipseed, 1985.

Hialeah Park is nationally significant as the oldest and widest continuously operating turf horse racing track in the United States. The association of famous jockeys, such as Eddie Arcaro and Willie Schumacher, with the track enhances its significance. Equally significant is Hialeah Park's role in starting the careers of famous horses such as Citation and Seattle Slew, that went on to success in the Kentucky Derby and other classics.

For further reading:

Please visit the official website for Hialeah Park Racetrack

Image Credit: National Historic Landmarks Program