Golden Gate planning to race until June 2024

Golden Gate Fields, the flagship track in Northern California, is tentatively scheduled to remain open until next June and not close in December as originally planned, according to a statement issued Saturday by the track’s parent company, 1/ST Racing.

The announcement, which had been expected in recent weeks, potentially gives the Northern California circuit some stability through at least the first half of 2024.

Saturday’s announcement was made days before the California Horse Racing Board is scheduled to discuss and possibly award 2024 racing dates for Northern California at its monthly meeting on Thursday.

Officials with 1/ST Racing announced on July 16 that Golden Gate Fields would cease operation in December, a decision that surprised participants in Northern California racing and sent the circuit into turmoil.

In recent weeks, 1/ST Racing officials have met with the California Authority of Racing Fairs and organizations representing owners, breeders, and trainers in the state regarding the future of racing in California. Those groups urged 1/ST Racing officials to operate a winter-spring meeting at Golden Gate Fields to provide some measure of short-term stability for the sport.

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In recent years, Golden Gate Fields has operated three meetings through the year, including a marathon season from late December to mid-June. Such a meeting in early 2024 would allow the Northern California racing community more time to form a schedule without Golden Gate Fields.

The Golden Gate Fields winter-spring meeting has typically ended on the second weekend of June followed by the start of the county fair circuit. Golden Gate Fields also has a late summer meeting and a meeting in the fall.

In Saturday’s statement, 1/ST Racing cited legislation passed earlier this week by the California legislature that would allocate future simulcast revenue in Northern California to tracks in Southern California when no tracks are operating in the northern part of the state. When a track is operating in Northern California, the revenue would remain in that part of the state for purses and the operating costs of the racetrack.

The legislation is bound for the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who could sign or veto the legislation. If approved, the legislation is scheduled to take effect July 1.

In July, 1/ST Racing officials said the company hopes to lure stables based in Northern California to race in Southern California. 1/ST Racing owns Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., near Los Angeles, which holds the most racing days annually among Southern California tracks.

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