Goodbye Golden Gate Fields

[Indian Hemp]

NorCal racing died for me when Bay Meadows closed as I had lived near it for many years after arriving here in 1976.

It's been a wild ride from a number of perspectives but on the racing side it has been a front row seat to the demise of the industry/sport.

There used to be a day when SoCal racing took time off in autumn and that meant an influx of horses and riders to BM.

Golden Gate was never my favorite but continued to exist only due to Frank Stronach. Ladbroke owned it and was ready to bail. He saved racing here and to more than some extent in SoCal.

Belinda has always been a big supporter of the idiots is Sacto despite their campaigning to end racing. The stables actually are in Berkeley while the track and facility are in Albany, adjacent to a tidal basin.

The CA Coastal Commission could step in and demand that any appropriation of the land remain open to the public. The Bezerkelyites will demand whatever.

Racing belongs where it is wanted.

And this can happen anywhere.