Northern California

News, Articles, Videos and other content about Northern California

Dear Lady Ann Tops CTBA Sale

Dear Lady Ann, a daughter of Salt Lake, brought $37,000 to top the Northern California yearling sale at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa Aug. 26. Super Horse purchased the chestnut yearling from Jack and Barb Hatch's Green Acre Stables, agent for Lercari Thoroughbreds.

Events Spur Debate On Northern Calif. Race Dates

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?

Council OKs Dixon Downs; Opponents Want Vote

Dixon Downs, Magna Entertainment Corp.'s "dream track" for Northern California, got a giant step closer to reality the evening of Oct. 23. But a local group that opposes the project is pushing for a referendum on the project in 2007.

TOC Acts on Northern California Recommendations

As part of an effort to address concerns raised by several Northern California members, the Thoroughbred Owners of California held an open forum July 28 at Golden Gate Fields and pledged to act on several recommendations.

Northern California Horsemen Consider Breakaway Organization

About 200 Northern California horsemen have signed a petition supporting the formation of a new trainer/owner organization to represent them in negotiations with racetrack associations and others, saying they believe their affiliation with the Thoroughbred Owners of California is no longer adequate.

Bay Meadows Demolition OK'd; New Site Sought

The San Mateo, Calif., City Council has approved a developer's plan to demolish Bay Meadows racetrack, while an earlier announcement the track's landowner is seeking a new site for a racino in the outer Bay Area was met with skepticism by opponents.

Changes Set for California Fair Schedule

The California Horse Racing Board plans to eliminate 12 Thoroughbred racing dates this summer that belonged to the state fair and reduce the number of competing Northern California dates by four days.

Dixon Downs On Track, Official Tells Planners

Four years after it was first proposed, Magna Entertainment's $250 million dream track for Northern California is finally nearing the public hearing stage. A series of meetings on various aspects of the development will be held in 2005, Dixon city officials said at a planning commission meeting Dec. 21.

Solano Fair Moves Ahead With Redevelopment Plans

The Solano County Fair Association will begin exclusive negotiations with Mills Corp. to redevelop the Vallejo, Calif., fairgrounds. It would eventually spell the end of more than 50 years of live racing at the San Francisco Bay-area facility.

Studies on Dixon Downs Proposal Set to Begin

Detailed studies for the proposed $250-million Dixon Downs in Northern California are set to begin now that Magna Entertainment Corp. has received approval from the Dixon City Council for an agreement to pay for consultants for the extensive reports.

Magna Unveils Revisions for $250-Million Dixon Downs

Magna Entertainment Corp.'s plans for Dixon Downs, the company's ideal "racetrack of the future," are finally headed to the starting gate. On March 3, MEC submitted its detailed proposal for the $250-million project to the city of Dixon, located 19 miles west of Sacramento, Calif.

Fair Hopes Turf Racing Helps Boost Business

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.

Golden Gate Equine Hospital Gets Go-Ahead

Construction on a 3,600-square-foot equine medical facility at Golden Gate Fields can finally begin. The project was approved April 9 by the planning commission in Albany, Calif., where the track is located.

Hollendorfer Considers Options for the Summer

Longtime Northern California training kingpin Jerry Hollendorfer said he's undecided on whether to attempt to defend the training title he won at Arlington Park in 2002. But he indicated he doesn't plan to stay put during the summer.

CTBA Looks to Continue Positive Momentum

The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association believes 2001 was a strong year for the California-bred program, with increases in the foal crop and number of mares bred. But officials with the organization indicated the status quo will not do for this year or subsequent years.

Official: Dixon Downs Plans Continue to Progress

Dixon Downs may not be on the fast track, but it's making steady progress toward ground-breaking. That's the report from the front lines in Dixon, the small California town 20 miles west of Sacramento where Magna Entertainment Corp. is hard at work developing a state-of-the-art racetrack.

Trial Date Set for Northern California Horse Owners

A March 4, 2002, trial date has been set for Northern California Thoroughbred owners Michele Serrao and Bryan Rosenquist in connection with allegations the couple embezzled $12.7 million from Bank of America.

Simulcasting in Northern California May Expand

Recent legislation passed in California and signed by Gov. Gray Davis will allow Northern California racetracks and county fairs to expand simulcasting if the number of live racing dates is reduced. The new law also allows additional simulcasting if live racing is interrupted because of power failures that have plagued the state in recent years.

Bay Meadows Cancels as San Francisco Mourns

Bay Meadows canceled its Monday afternoon racing program as the Bay Area continued to mourn victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the East Coast. Hijacked Flight 93, which crashed near Pittsburgh, Pa., was headed to San Francisco, Calif., and area-wide memorial services were held Monday as part of an official city Day of Remembrance.

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