CARF Proposes Continued NorCal Racing at Pleasanton

A California Association of Racing Fairs proposal calls for a continuation of racing in Northern California this fall at Pleasanton for a 26-day meet, according to documents submitted before a pivotal California Horse Racing Board meeting March 21.

Among the topics for discussion and action during Thursday’s CHRB meeting in Sacramento is the complete 2024 allocation of Northern California racing dates, which has been undecided since 1/ST Racing’s announced closure of Golden Gate Fields. Golden Gate, which also stables many Northern California-based horses, ceases operations in June, after which the summer fair meets begin in Northern California.

During the last CHRB meeting in January, also in Sacramento, Southern California racetrack operators and the Thoroughbred Owners of California, citing short fields throughout the state and purse overpayments in the south, encouraged the board to limit racing in the north and redirect funds to bolster overpaid Southern California purses.

They argue that Southern California is responsible for 80% of the state’s regulatory and worker’s compensation costs, despite a relatively equal number of starts between the two regions.

Southern California track operators have suggested purses at their tracks would be reduced this year “if an enhanced revenue structure is not introduced in the immediate future,” they wrote in January to the CHRB.

Their desire to redirect funds received an unwelcome reception among Northern California racing participants, who flooded the January CHRB meeting to express their wishes for continued racing in the north.

At the time, CARF executive director Larry Swartzlander suggested Cal Expo, where harness racing and a summer Thoroughbred fair meet take place, would be the track best able to sustain racing in the region after the summer fairs were completed. But some CHRB commissioners and CHRB executive director Scott Chaney expressed skepticism about the feasibility of racing there, in addition to the conservative cost estimates provided at the time by Swartzlander.

In this month’s CHRB materials, Swartzlander wrote that both Cal Expo and the Alameda County Fairgrounds at Pleasanton had “major challenges in current on-site contracts which conflicted with Thoroughbred racing,” but that review of capital improvement and operational on-site requirements made it become clear that Pleasanton would be “best suited.”

Swartzlander added, “The criteria surrounding that decision were discussed by the CARF board, and a motion was unanimously approved by the board to proceed with efforts to prepare the Alameda County Fair to host year-round Thoroughbred racing commencing” in October.

Pleasanton—which has a one-mile dirt oval—is already part of the summer fair circuit, racing this year June 14-July 7. The historic track was originally built in 1858 by the Bernal family as a winter training facility. The legendary Seabiscuit was one of the top horses to train there at one time. Pleasanton has hosted the Alameda County Fair since 1912.

Bill Nader, president and CEO of the TOC, noted the dates application applies only to the tail end of 2024.

“So it doesn’t really address the longer-term issue of where we are going in 2025 because that is not on the agenda next week. … I think there is still going to be a lot left to resolve,” he said. “But this will be the first chapter in the new story of where California is going.”

He said it would be inappropriate for him to comment too much in advance of Thursday’s meeting and a TOC board meeting scheduled the day before.

“I want to hear what everybody has to say and respond to it,” he said. “We represent the north as well as the south, so we’re completely open-minded. When I have our discussion with our board, I’ll have a better idea of what our members think.”

Regarding the possibility of purse cuts in Southern California, he said he thinks Santa Anita Park and Del Mar are “waiting until after this meeting before they put forward their plan because it impacts what they can and cannot do.”

Swartzlander did not return a message from BloodHorse seeking an interview and comment.

One issue facing Thoroughbred operations at Pleasanton is safely conducting training with a golf course located inside the racetrack. Golf is not permitted during racing.

Additionally, a Notice of Intent for coverage under the California Industrial Stormwater Program’s Industrial General Permit will likely be required before stabling more than 500 horses for 45 days. 

According to CARF, the proposed details for the meet include the following:

• The proposed 26-day racing season would begin on Oct. 19 and continue until Dec. 15, mostly on a Friday-through-Sunday schedule.
• Pleasanton would run an average of just over eight races daily, racing three days a week.
• The track would host eight Thoroughbred stakes worth a combined $550,000.
• Beyond stakes, overnight purses for the meet would total $3.675 million, an average daily allotment of $141,365.
• An anticipated 264 auxiliary stalls would be required for stabling, which is estimated to cost $1.5 million. CARF anticipates a horse population of 800 horses.
• Further capital projects are anticipated with turf course planning and feasibility “a top priority.”
• Regarding discretionary money, CARF stated it has $900,000 in cash reserves and access to membership financing of up to $4 million.
• CARF is the race-dates applicant, though its brand name would be Golden State Racing to differentiate it from the summer fairs and for marketing purposes. Golden State Racing would engage in a five-year licensing agreement for the use of the racing enclosure at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. 
• The Fair Board Executive Committee and the Racing Committee voted Feb. 15 to approve the recommendation to proceed with the CARF Plan. The full board will vote March 19, with approval anticipated.