Oak Tree seeks to run Pleasanton meeting

ARCADIA, Calif. – The Oak Tree Racing Association, which operated autumn race meetings at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park from 1969 to 2010, is planning to operate the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton this summer.

Oak Tree officials have submitted a license application to the California Horse Racing Board seeking to operate the fair meeting at the Northern California track from June 19 to July 6. A hearing on the application will be conducted by the racing board at its next meeting at Golden Gate Fields on April 25.

Oak Tree ran the annual fall meeting at Santa Anita from 1969 to 2009 and moved to Hollywood Park the following year when Santa Anita closed its track for renovation. Oak Tree did not conduct a race meeting from 2011 to 2013.

The organization has a not-for-profit structure, dedicating revenue to the sport for wide-ranging causes such as equine medical research and backstretch charities.

Last month, the proposed Oak Tree at Pleasanton meeting was the beneficiary of legislation signed by California Gov. Jerry Brown allowing organizations that ran race meetings prior to 2010 to run fair meetings in the northern part of the state, pending approval of fair management.

Under the proposal sent to the racing board, Oak Tree would operate the meeting on behalf of the Alameda County Fair. The proposed Oak Tree meeting would be similar to past Pleasanton meetings, with races for Quarter Horses and Arabians early in each program, followed by races for Thoroughbreds.

The Oak Tree at Pleasanton meeting is expected to include two stakes worth $100,000 each, a stakes worth $75,000, and one worth $50,000.