John Brunetti Sr., horse farm owner, dies at 87
He also led historic Hialeah Park track in South Florida
John Brunetti fell in love with historic Hialeah Park on his first visit there as a college student in the 1950s and ended up owning the storied South Florida track for more than four decades.
Brunetti died Friday in Boca Raton. He was 87.
One of the most prominent figures in the sport, Brunetti was both a horse breeder and owner, and Hialeah’s stubborn owner, determined to restore the track to its former grandeur long after thoroughbreds stopped racing there.
To read the full story, go to the Miami Herald's website: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/article203138174.html
The local angle
In Marion County, John Brunetti Sr. was best known as the owner of Red Oak Farm, Good Chance Farm and large portions of land near Golden Ocala.
In 2015, the Ocala City Council approved a series of ordinances that cleared the way for eventual development of Brunetti’s Trinity Lane project. It will include 600 homes and commercial parcels on 401 acres at Southwest 42nd Street and 27th Avenue.
Last year, a Brunetti company bought 144 acres on the south side of County Road 484 east of Interstate 75 and across from Good Chance Farm. There are no immediate plans for the land.
Also last year, Brunetti’s Golden Meadows of Ocala LLC sold 678 acres for $13 million to the Larry Roberts-backed company that is developing an equestrian/residential community south of Golden Ocala.