2024 dates for Northern California could be introduced at Aug. 16 meeting
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The live racing committee of the California Authority of Racing Fairs met on Thursday afternoon without finalizing a proposed schedule for Northern California in 2024, when Golden Gate Fields will no longer be in operation.
The parent company of Golden Gate Fields, 1/ST Racing, announced on July 16 that the track in Albany, Calif., will close at the conclusion of its autumn meeting on Dec. 10. The decision shocked California racing, and has caused widespread concern about the long-term effects for racing in Northern California.
CARF officials said they have been actively working to implement a replacement calendar that will include racing at several county fair locations next year.
“We’re working diligently to come up with a plan,” said Tom Doutrich, racing secretary for CARF. “We want to explore all options for all parties involved.”
The organization is expected to introduce a calendar for Northern California at the California Horse Racing Board’s dates committee meeting in Del Mar on Aug. 16. The committee is scheduled to discuss 2024 racing dates for all tracks in the state at that meeting.
The entire racing board is scheduled to discuss 2024 racing dates at its August meeting a day later, but at most will only ratify dates for next year in Southern California. There is no agenda item for that meeting regarding a vote on 2024 Northern California racing dates.
1/ST Racing also owns Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., and is hopeful that stables from Northern California will migrate to Southern California to race. Some Northern California-based horsemen say a move to Southern California in unworkable for numerous reasons, notably that their stables will not be competitive on that circuit.
Berrios, Desormeaux get suspensions
Jockeys Hector Berrios and Kent Desormeaux have received suspensions for riding infractions at Del Mar last Sunday.
Berrios was cited for excessive use of the whip when he rode Gold Phoenix to a win in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes. Berrios used his whip seven times in the race, one strike over the limit, according to a ruling published by Del Mar stewards on Thursday.
Berrios is suspended for one day, Aug. 10, and was fined $1,460 for the infraction.
Desormeaux is considering an appeal of a three-day suspension issued on Thursday for causing interference in the 11th race on July 30, according to his agent, Sue McBrayer.
Desormeaux rode St Ignacio, who was disqualified from fourth and placed ninth for altering course without clearance. The suspension is scheduled to run from Aug. 10-12.
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