
Calder Casino & Race Course staff walked around Friday wearing Yes, We Did buttons, but it has nothing to do with Barack Obama.
It was a reference to their slot test with the state.
The casino set a goal of passing state inspection on its first try -- so it could "soft open" Jan. 22 and have a week before today's ribbon-cutting. When they cleared inspection last Jan. 21, out came the buttons. (Calder says it's the only casino to pass inspection on its first try, but I think Flagler/Magic City Casino did, too. Help me, anyone?)
The goal was to open for the Pro Bowl (Sunday) and Super Bowl (Feb. 7), and GM Tom O'Donnell was a happy man Friday at the ribbon-cutting, which drew about 300 patrons, politicians and Calder staff, many of whom knocked back champagne and cake afterward. (I held out for the $4 personal pizza inside.)
There also was a steel drum and two young women in skimpy tops and feathery hats. (Irony alert: I saw them an hour before walking in to get dressed and they carried their gear in a Seminole Hard Rock bag.)
O'Donnell again referenced that Calder has been in business since 1971, and is dedicated to horse racing. He cut the ribbon with Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson (center) and Florida State Senator Frederica Wilson. (Photo by Jim Lisa)
"Our core business is horse racing," he said, noting that the slots construction happened as Calder kept running 152 racing dates. "But we want to make sure every customer experience here has a winning experience."
Slots fans will find about the same thing you see in other South Florida casinos, including Slingo, virtual blackjack, Wizard of Oz, Star Trek and Wheel of Fortune. Also video poker and, eventually, slot tournaments.
Calder's current new player promotion is sign up and get $20 downloaded immediately on your Player's Club card.
UPDATED: I also hit the poker room, and was surprised they had a lot of $1-$2 limit going. I'm pretty sure it's related to their "Aces cracked get $250" promotion in the morning for limit ($500 for red aces)). Also saw the table nearby hit a royal flush, which paid $1,000. Seems like they're hitting their stride, and Calder officials said now they're glad they opened the poker room in the fall; doing it all at once would have been too much. Poker promotions at http://www.calderracecourse.com/poker.
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