The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has recently made a decision that has sparked debate within the racing community. In a February 26th meeting in Arcadia, California, the CHRB rejected proposed race dates for the Tehama District Fair and the Humboldt County Fair, both of which had been pushing for a resumption of racing in Northern California. This decision has raised concerns about the future of racing in the region and the potential impact on the industry.
The Tehama District Fair had proposed nine days of racing from April 29th to May 26th, marking its first sanctioned pari-mutuel in decades. Meanwhile, the Humboldt County Fair, a staple of the summer fair schedule, requested 12 race dates over a four-week period from August 5th to September 1st. However, the CHRB's detailed analysis highlighted several regulatory, financial, and operational challenges associated with these meets.
The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) and California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) opposed the idea of awarding Northern California race dates to these fairs, citing concerns about the impact on purses in Southern California. According to the TOC, a revival of racing in Northern California would result in a 5% drop in purses in the South, as revenue from simulcast betting has been redirected to Southern California tracks, bolstering their fragile purses in a state without authorized purse-generating gaming.
The CHRB's vice chair, Oscar Gonzales, and commissioner Brenda Washington Davis supported the idea of awarding dates to the fairs, emphasizing the importance of horse racing to the communities and the need for increased racing opportunities in a state with a declining foal drop. They also mentioned the potential for broader statewide support if tracks receive authorization for historical horse racing gaming, which could be a lifeline for the equine industry in Northern California.
However, the remaining commissioners, including Dr. Greg Ferraro, Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, and Peter Stern, opposed the idea. Ferraro, the CHRB chair, described racing in Northern California as a "no-chance situation," arguing that it would be detrimental to the entire state's racing industry. He stated that the North is not ready for racing at this time, and that the decision would ultimately destroy racing in California.
The CHRB's staff analysis also raised concerns about the Humboldt County Fair's application, citing missing contractual documentation and unresolved agreements with industry stakeholders. Additionally, there were practical considerations regarding the availability of horses, trainers, and wagering interest to sustain racing in Northern California after a prolonged absence.
Many Northern California horsemen have either shifted their stables to Southern California or moved to race out of state at lower-level tracks. The Humboldt County Fair has historically attracted horses from Oregon, and the TOC president and CEO, Bill Nader, noted that Ferndale had short fields when it last raced. Alan Balch, the CTT executive director, added that the meeting has become a gathering for horses from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and other states.
Despite the challenges, Gonzales and Washington Davis argued that the potential benefits of racing in Northern California outweigh the risks. They believe that with the right support and authorization, the region could thrive and provide a much-needed boost to the equine industry.
