In a move that likely will bring an end to a storied racing history in Northern California, The Stronach Group announced July 16 that it will close Golden Gate Fields at the end of the 2023 race meet.
In making the announcement officials with The Stronach Group said they hope the move invigorates racing in Southern California, where The Stronach Group owns Santa Anita Park and the San Luis Rey Downs training center.
"The Stronach Group remains steadfastly committed to racing in California," said Belinda Stronach, chairwoman, CEO, and president of The Stronach Group. "We believe that the future success of racing depends on a business model that encourages investment in Southern California, one of North America's premier racing circuits. Focusing on Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs as state-of-the-art racing and training facilities that offer enhanced program quality, increased race days, expanded wagering opportunities, and premier hospitality and entertainment experiences is vital to ensuring that California racing can continue to compete and thrive on a national level."
With the announcement of the planned closing of Golden Gate, the California Horse Racing Board released a statement saying it is committed to working with all racing participants and the public to determine the best path forward for racing in the state.
"Golden Gate Fields has been racing nine months out of the year in Northern California," said CHRB executive director Scott Chaney. "I think it is fair to say that race-date allocations will take on a new meaning when the board opens discussions in August for 2024 race dates. I am acutely aware of the human impact of the closure—be they CHRB employees, CHRB contractors, licensees, and, of course, Golden Gate employees—and I will be working hard to ameliorate any negative consequences and to create job and role opportunities."
Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who dominated the trainer standings at Northern California tracks for many years, said his concern is with the affected horsemen and workers.
"Well, for me that's a special place. It's where I won my first training title," Hollendorfer said. "It was a special thing for me to be at Golden Gate Fields. It's gone through a lot of changes in the past few years. For me it's a sad thing and I know a lot of guys that have worked there for their whole lives and it's a tough thing for them."
Hollendorfer wasn't sure how many of those horsemen will now bring their stables to Southern California.
"I don't know, I was just discussing that with someone," Hollendorfer said. "My thoughts were that it would help Santa Anita in the short-term, but I don't know about long-term because some of those horses can compete in Southern California but for others it will be difficult to compete in Southern California."
Retired trainer Greg Gilchrist, who watched his eventual champion sprinter Lost in the Fog win his career debut by 7 1/2 lengths at Golden Gate, said it's been difficult times for Bay Area sports with the Oakland Raiders leaving to Las Vegas and the Oakland A's looking to make the same move.
"Everything changes," Gilchrist said, as he recalled days in the 1960s when people would fill parking spots for miles and then walk to Golden Gate and the changes today. "When Santa Anita is down to running three days a week, that's pretty clear. The horse population has gotten smaller and smaller and politically it's tough for racing right now in California. There are a whole lot of minuses and not many plusses."
Gilchrist speculated that the closing of Golden Gate also would make things difficult on the state's fair circuit's stops in the northern part of the state as horses will now be based in Southern California.
The closing of the Albany, Calif., track figures to end racing in the San Franciso/Oakland area, a concerning trend as the sport continues to see live racing ended in or near major cities such as Boston and Portland, Ore. in recent years. Until 2008 the San Francisco/Oakland area had two tracks but that's the year Bay Meadows Race Course in San Mateo was closed, ending its run that started in 1934.
CHRB vice chair Oscar Gonzales, who chairs the CHRB Race Dates Committee, expressed assurance that the Golden Gate workforce and horsemen will be treated with dignity and respect and that there will be an open and transparent process.
"While we await more details and information, Golden Gate stakeholders and Northern California horsemen should know that horse racing will continue," said Gonzales. "We look forward to receiving and implementing the industry's transition plan. We hope the upcoming CHRB meeting (Aug. 17) and Race Dates Committee meeting (Aug. 16, both at Del Mar) will be an opportunity to share more information with the public."
At the conclusion of the Golden Gate Fields meet, The Stronach Group said it will focus on seamlessly transitioning horses from Northern California to Southern California with the goal of increasing field sizes and adding another day of racing to the weekly racing calendar at Santa Anita, come January 2024. The track owner said the consolidation will provide expanded content opportunities, wagering prospects, and will serve to further elevate the overall customer experience at Santa Anita.
Stronach added "We recognize that the decision will have profound effects on our valued employees as well as the owners, trainers, jockeys and stable personnel at Golden Gate Fields. The Stronach Group is committed to honoring labor obligations and developing a meaningful transition plan."
Moving forward, the company will work in cooperation with industry participants including the California Horse Racing Board, Thoroughbred Owners of California, California Thoroughbred Trainers, and Del Mar and Los Alamitos Race Track, to develop a plan to relocate horses and employees to Southern California while supporting all affected by this closure.
CHRB chairman Greg Ferraro commended the track's owner for an improved safety record in recent years.
Chaney said the possibility of new off-track wagering locations in the East Bay should be part of the ongoing discussions.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff."close" - Google News
July 17, 2023 at 05:39AM
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