Alameda to pay starter fee

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Trainers entering horses at the Alameda County Fair between July 1 and July 7 will receive an additional $45 starter fee to help offset increases in Workers' Compensation rates scheduled to take place July 1.

The payment will be in effect for the 2002 meet only.

"We recognize that horsemen are being forced to take on additional insurance costs starting July 1," Rick Pickering, the fair's CEO, said. "We are working with the industry toward a longer-term solution for this issue, but it's not in place yet. In the meantime, we want to show our support and appreciation to horsemen who enter at Pleasanton by adding this additional $45 starter fee for our 2002 race meet."