Golden Gate Fields closed through weekend to repair hot-water pipes

Golden Gate Fields, forced to cancel Thursday's racing because of a gas leak, announced Thursday it would have to cancel racing as well as simulcasting for the remainder of the week.

General manager David Duggan said that to repair the leak on Thursday, the utility company had to shut off the gas. When it re-pressured the line, it damaged pipes that supply hot water for the facility, which is located in Albany on the shore of San Francisco Bay.

The lack of hot water impacted the track's food and beverage operations as well as backstretch operations involving hundreds of workers in the stable area. Portable hot-water showers are being installed in the stable area.

“In the best interest of our horsemen, fans and employees and to safely expedite the repairs, we are canceling both racing and simulcasting this weekend,” said Duggan.

“After speaking with specialists, it's highly unlikely we can fix the damage this weekend. We feel confident we can be fully up and running by Thursday.”