CHRB delays allocation of 2017 racing dates for Golden Gate, Northern California

The California Horse Racing Board postponed the allocation of 2017 racing dates for Golden Gate Fields and the Northern California fair circuit after relevant parties failed to reach a resolution at the racing board’s dates committee meeting on Wednesday.

At Thursday’s meeting of the entire racing board, chairman Chuck Winner said dates may be allocated in October at the next racing board meeting. Further discussions between racing board and Northern California track officials are expected in coming weeks.

“We were not able to reach an agreement,” Winner said. “I’m sorry to say that, but I want to commend the folks that spent time trying to reach an accord. They weren’t able to do it.”

Much of the focus on racing dates for the circuit in recent months has been on specific dates for the county fairs and Golden Gate Fields from late June through September.

The racing board currently has six members, one fewer than normal. The term of vice chairman Richard Rosenberg recently ended, Winner said at the start of Thursday’s meeting. Only five members were present on Thursday, with George Krikorian absent.