Tim Ritvo says, even though it may result in a significant loss to Northern California's horse population, the current plan for the 2018 season is to shut down Golden Gate Fields as an auxiliary stable for about two months of fair racing.
Although radical changes were suggested for Northern California's 2018 racing schedule, the California Horse Racing Board's Race Dates Committee members only suggested minor modifications to the schedule for the full board to consider Oct. 26.
Although the California Horse Racing Board tabled a decision regarding the ongoing dispute over racing date assignments in Northern California, the discussion during its Sept. 28 meeting again exposed a deep rift between stakeholders in the region.
The California Horse Racing Board's Race Dates Committee took a step toward resolving a nearly six-month-long dispute regarding Northern California's 2017 schedule Nov. 16, with a recommendation that largely resembles 2016's slate in the region.
Members of the California Horse Racing Board made a commitment to decide the highly contentious Northern California 2017 racing dates dispute at its regular October meeting, but the regulatory agency could not reach a resolution Oct. 20.
After two hours of discussion Oct. 7 about the ongoing dates dispute in Northern California, the California Horse Racing Board's Race Dates Committee made a recommendation for the regulatory agency's full monthly meeting Oct. 20.
Though still early in the process for allocating 2017 racing dates, a California Horse Racing Board Dates Committee meeting June 15 provided a glimpse of what might be ahead.
Despite multiple members expressing frustration with the way the process was handled, the California Horse Racing Board approved a reallocation of dates within the Northern California fair circuit April 21 during a meeting at Golden Gate Fields.
California Authority of Racing Fairs announced April 5 that executive director Christopher Korby will retire as of Nov. 1 after 29 years.
Negotiations over Northern and Southern California racing dates were again in the spotlight during the monthly California Horse Racing Board meeting June 25 at Los Alamitos Race Course.
An April 15 California Horse Racing Board discussion regarding the reallocation of 2015 racing dates for the California Fair circuit often shifted to the possibility of Golden Gate Fields closing in the future.
John McGary is returning as the track announcer for the California Authority of Racing Fairs in 2015. He was the announcer for the fair meets from 2000-05.
The Oak Tree Racing Association is back in the race business following a 3 1/2-year absence with the approval of its application to conduct the Alameda County Fair meet by the California Horse Racing Board April 25.
The California Horse Racing Board will consider approving a license for the not-for-profit organization April 25.
Cal Expo won a tussle to gain an extra week on the summer fair racing calendar beginning in July 2015 after several months of debate when the California Horse Racing Board approved the dates plan.
The California Horse Racing Board takes a first look at a race dates calendar that doesn't include Betfair Hollywood Park next year when it convenes in Sacramento May 23.
The California Horse Racing Board gave final approval April 26 to a rule change that eliminates "jail time" for most horses that are claimed.
A bill that would allow California racetracks and simulcast wagering facilities to conduct betting on professional and collegiate sporting events has been introduced in the state legislature.
County fairs at San Joaquin and Alameda got the Northern California summer circuit off to a good start with strong growth over corresponding meets a year ago despite racing fewer dates.
California Gov. Jerry Brown has approved legislation that increases from 32 to 50 the limit on the daily number of imported races on which a racing association or fair simulcast facility in the state can accept wagers.
Seeing many former customers preferring to stay home, the California Horse Racing Board wants to woo fans back to the state's simulcast centers.
The California Horse Racing Board finally gave approval to a Northern California fair racing dates program for 2010 during its meeting at Santa Anita Park Jan. 15, though not everyone was happy with the much-delayed action.
Racing at California fairs, long supported as one of the best ways to attract new fans for the sport, is losing out to economic considerations while industry representatives fight to remain viable in the northern half of the state.
Race dates for 2010 were approved for California by the state's horse racing board at its meeting Oct. 15, although the panel opted to wait until next month before giving authorization to the Northern California fair circuit, which requested more time to sort out details.
It was more than business as usual as the California summer fair racing season commenced its annual run in the northern half of the state on June 18.
Legislation linked to the long-delayed approval of the California state budget Feb. 20 could mean up to an additional $32 million a year for the state's beleaguered horse racing industry.
John C. Alkire has been elected chairman of the board of directors for the California Authority of Racing Fairs.
Golden Gate Fields will host a total of 181 days in 2009, including 29 during the summer on behalf of the California Authority of Racing Fairs, under a dates allocation plan approved by the California Horse Racing Board Nov. 18.
A request for an additional 1% takeout hike to help pay for facility improvements at Alameda County Fair, the heir apparent to the closing Bay Meadows, hit a wall of opposition before the California Horse Racing Board May 20.
California fairs offer a realistic option for horse racing's future at a time when two major racetracks in the state are facing redevelopment and other privately held venues are pressured by stockholders for greater revenue returns amid escalating property values.
One racecourse is apparently closing at the end of the year, a victim of its decision not to install a synthetic racing surface. Then voters rejected the track that would have eventually replaced it. After a tumultuous month for the future of Northern California racing, what happens next?
Horse racing and sports book industry veteran Michael L. Knapp has been named Youbet.com's director of new product integration, the company announced Nov. 2.
Reducing the number of racing events without the loss of a significant number of actual racing days in the North was the goal of the California Horse Racing Board's Strategic Alliance Planning Committee, which met for the final time Oct. 12 before making a final 2007 dates recommendation to the full board.
Reducing the dates calendar while increasing the overall quality of racing and the possible closure of two major racing facilities remained the focus of the California Horse Racing Board's "Strategic Alliance Planning Committee," which met for the second time at Del Mar on Aug. 28.
Racing at the Solano County Fair, in recent years thought doomed because of expected redevelopment to the valuable property, apparently won't be going anywhere for quite a while.
HorseRacing TV has entered into a comprehensive agreement with the California Authority of Racing Fairs for the live telecast and promotion of California fair racing over the next four months.
On-track wagering, attendance and all-source handle all jumped by more than 20% on opening day at the Fresno Fair Oct. 6.
George Ortuzar will act as the Spanish-language announcer for the 2004 Big Fresno Fair race meet, the California Authority of Racing Fairs announced Oct. 1.
Northern California Fair racing is now featured on Horse Racing TV, including coverage and a replay show, the California Authority of Racing Fairs announced.
Thanks to an influx of approximately $9.3 million in account deposit wagering and some <i>Seabiscuit</i> magic, the California summer fair circuit has enjoyed a solid season thus far.
The total amount of money wagered on races at the recently concluded 10-day San Joaquin County Fair meet at Stockton, Calif. increased 10% to a record $16.95 million, officials reported.
The per-share price of stock in Youbet.com soared in trading Monday on the NASD exchange, rising above the stock's previous 52-week high.
Bits and pieces from around the industry
Plans for constructing a new turf course at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA, were given approval Jan. 7.
The Sonoma County Fair plans to build a $3-million turf course by 2004 in hopes of enhancing its summer racing schedule. But the longtime leading trainer on the Northern California circuit said it wouldn't affect his plans.
With a voluntary program tied to stallion-season contributions set to expire, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association hopes new members -- some of them returnees -- are back in the fold for 2003.
The California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF) has became the state's only racing association to complete agreements with all three licensed advanced deposit wagering companies.
Youbet.com has hired Gary Sproule, a former Disney executive, as its chief financial officer. The California online racing and wagering company also announced a marketing agreement with California fairs.
