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.

[Alli]

I worry about California racing. I absolutely love Del Mar and would hate to see it go. I have really fond memories of taking the Coaster to Solana Beach and getting in the double decker bus for the ride to the track. One of the drivers played ukulele while waiting for the bus to fill up. The adobe architecture and cascading flowers everywhere give the feeling of a lazy afternoon siesta. The paddock is surrounded with birds of paradise and vibrant red bougainvillea. No matter how you feel about Bob Baffert, he's always easy to spot in the paddock.

Now, I want to go to Del Mar!!

[cal828]

Me too, but have yet to make it there. Have been to San Diego a few times, but always with family that had other venues in mind like Sea World, the Zoo or a trip to Anaheim to Disneyland or Mexico to Rosarita Beach.

Have a friend who is on a monster road trip from New Jersey to the West Coast. He is currently in San Diego. His recent pics on Facebook have been of La Jolla. Not sure what day of travel he is in. I think he has been gone from home nearly 50 days. He went across the Great Plains and Rockies to the Pacific Northwest and then down to Southern California and has posted pics from the usual places like Yosemite and the redwood forests, etc. and many from places I would never think of going and likely would not have the stamina to go. The other day he was posting pics of the Caesar Chavez Museum and then on another day a museum dedicated to 20 Mule Team Borax and some days he posts pics of roadside art works. Never had the time on any road trips to take in things like that. Usually traveling at warp speed to get there and back. I am enjoying his journey though. He has taken many shots of the country's natural beauty, animals, birds, beaches, mountains, etc. A while back he was on another trip to San Diego and took numerous pics of Del Mar. Looks like a fabulous place to visit.

[DonGuido]

Been to Del Mar once 14-15 yars ago with my wife. Beautiful track, great location. It's truly the Saratoga of California and I just love and crave Saratoga.

[Indian Hemp]

Originally Posted by Alli

I worry about California racing. I absolutely love Del Mar and would hate to see it go. I have really fond memories of taking the Coaster to Solana Beach and getting in the double decker bus for the ride to the track. One of the drivers played ukulele while waiting for the bus to fill up. The adobe architecture and cascading flowers everywhere give the feeling of a lazy afternoon siesta. The paddock is surrounded with birds of paradise and vibrant red bougainvillea. No matter how you feel about Bob Baffert, he's always easy to spot in the paddock.

Now, I want to go to Del Mar!!

It's just a matter of time for SA. Moving decimal points on real estate purchases is what Cali is all about.

IMHO it was the failure to keep the Indian Gaming expansion separate from racing during the last 20 years that sealed its fate. It would be untouchable now. Obviously the combo has been succesful once it matured a bit.

I thought Frank might have had a friend in Ahnold but it wasn't to be.

The County Fair Circuit used to hold the weight in who got any summer dates and now that part of the region's history is struggling to stay together. The facility at Sacto doesn't want to step up and so it's P-town, the oldest track west of the Mississippi still running, to shoulder the load.

It will be up to the local equine community to keep racing at Del Mar....and CA..... eventually.