Turf course voted for Pleasanton

PLEASANTON, Calif. - The Alameda County Fair Board of Directors voted Tuesday "to proceed with the potential development of a turf course."

The decision could make Pleasanton the second northern California fair to install a turf course. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted earlier this month to provide funds to build one in Santa Rosa.

Pleasanton is open year-round for training, and Rick Pickering, the fair's manager, said the turf course would be as well.

Pickering said the fair will approach the Thoroughbred Owners of California, California Thoroughbred Trainers, the state's Fairs and Expositions committee, Magna Entertainment, "and any other interested parties within the next few weeks to discuss their level of support and involvement."

Pickering said that because of the nonprofit status of the fair and the fact that Golden Gate Fields is in Alameda County, he doesn't anticipate any funding from the county supervisors.