The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has recently made a decision that has sparked debate among racing enthusiasts and industry stakeholders. In a February 26 meeting in Arcadia, California, the CHRB rejected the proposed race dates for the Tehama District Fair and the Humboldt County Fair, both of which had been pushing for a return to 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 and the Humboldt County Fair had been working towards resuming racing as part of a broader effort to restore a viable circuit. However, the CHRB's detailed analysis revealed substantial regulatory, financial, and operational challenges associated with these meets. These concerns were further emphasized during the meeting, highlighting the complex nature of the situation.
The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) and California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) opposed the idea of awarding race dates to these fairs, citing potential negative consequences. According to the TOC, a revival of racing in Northern California could lead to a 5% drop in purses in Southern California. This is because the revenue from simulcast betting, which has been redirected to Southern California tracks since the cessation of Northern California racing, would be affected. Southern California tracks, already struggling with fragile purses due to the lack of authorized purse-generating gaming, could face further challenges.
Tehama's proposal included nine days of racing from April 29 to May 26 at Red Bluff, marking a significant return after decades. Humboldt, a staple of the summer fair schedule, requested 12 race dates over a four-week period from August 5 to September 1. However, the CHRB's analysis and the perspectives of speakers and staff raised doubts about the feasibility of these meets.
CHRB Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioner Brenda Washington Davis expressed support for the fairs' proposals, 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 argued that broad statewide support could be crucial for tracks to receive authorization for historical horse racing gaming, which is vital for the equine industry in Northern California.
In contrast, CHRB Chair Dr. Greg Ferraro and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, and Peter Stern opposed the proposals. Ferraro described the situation as a 'no-chance' scenario, suggesting that attempting to revive racing in Northern California would be detrimental to the entire state's racing industry. He argued that the timing was not right, and the challenges were too significant to ignore.
The analysis also criticized Humboldt's application, citing missing contractual documentation and unresolved agreements with industry stakeholders. Practical concerns were raised about the availability of horses, trainers, and wagering interest to sustain racing in Northern California after a prolonged absence. Many Northern California horsemen have shifted their operations to Southern California or moved to race in other states with lower-level tracks, making it difficult to rebuild the necessary infrastructure.
The TOC's president and CEO, Bill Nader, and CTT executive director Alan Balch further emphasized the challenges. They noted that Ferndale, Humboldt County Fair's location, had experienced short fields during its last races, attracting horses from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and other states. This suggests that the region's racing scene is still struggling to regain its former glory.
The proposed Humboldt County Fair meet, scheduled during the popular summer racing season at Del Mar and Saratoga Race Course, raised questions about the timing and potential impact on simulcast wagering. The CHRB's decision to reject the proposals has sparked discussions about the future of racing in Northern California and the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the industry's challenges.
