Pleasanton finalizes 26-day fall meet

Golden State Racing recently finalized paperwork with the California Horse Racing Board for its new autumn race meeting at the Alameda county fair in Pleasanton, Calif., that will begin on Oct. 19, two racing officials confirmed this week.

Golden State Racing, a group of owners, breeders, and trainers working with the California Authority of Racing Fairs, reached an agreement with the Thoroughbred Owners of California for a daily purse distribution of approximately $170,000 at the 26-day meeting, which runs through Dec. 15.

The two sides differed on prize money levels for the meeting before reaching a tentative resolution at the racing board monthly meeting in Sacramento on Sept. 19. The required documents were sent to the racing board earlier this week, according to racing board executive director Scott Chaney and TOC president Bill Nader.

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Before the agreement was reached, Golden State Racing wanted a lower purse distribution because of concern that handle figures for the new meeting would fail to generate sufficient revenue to covers financial obligations. The TOC argued for daily purses at $170,000, citing an agreement reached with Golden State Racing earlier this year for prize money to start at that level.

At the Sept. 19 meeting, the $170,000 figure was reached, provided that the purse pool does not incur a debt of $400,000 or more. If that occurs, purses levels will be lowered.

Tracks in California have cut purses in the last year because of a decline in handle.

Golden State Racing’s meeting at Pleasanton will replace dates previously run at Golden Gate Fields, which closed permanently in June. Golden State Racing is planning a lengthy winter-spring meeting from Dec. 26 to early June of 2025.

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