Historic San Francisco Bay area racetrack Golden Gate Fields will run its last race today, June 9. The track’s closing festivities will include live music, DJs, and a “Belmont Stakes Watch” party.
A Bittersweet Farewell
Golden Gate Fields has been a fixture in the Bay Area since it first opened in 1941. The track, which was built on the site of a former dynamite and nitroglycerine plant, has seen its fair share of history. From its use as a US Navy equipment depot during World War II to hosting some of the 20th century’s most famous racehorses, Golden Gate Fields has been a symbol of the highs and lows of horse racing.
The final race marks the end of an era, highlighted by memorable moments such as Noor’s victory over Triple Crown winner Citation in 1950 and the legendary Silky Sullivan’s final resting place. Silky’s remains will be moved to Kentucky, signifying the track’s lasting legacy.
Protests and Controversies
While fans inside the track celebrate, outside, Berkeley-based animal rights group Direct Action will be holding a mock funeral for the estimated 2,000 horses they claim have died at the track since it opened. The vigil will feature a symbolic coffin and flowers, highlighting the ongoing controversy surrounding horse racing and animal welfare.
Direct Action has been vocal in its protests against horse deaths at the track for several years. In 2022, the Stronach Group, which owns Golden Gate Fields, sued the group after demonstrators disrupted races by scaling a perimeter fence and lying down on the track.
Decline of Horse Racing in California
The closure of Golden Gate Fields underscores the broader decline of horse racing in California. Unlike some states where racing is subsidized by casino revenues, California’s racing industry has struggled with dwindling prize pools and decreasing popularity.
The Stronach Group plans to consolidate its racing operations to its two tracks in Southern California, Santa Anita and San Luis Rey. This decision aligns with a legislative effort to divert simulcast money from Northern California to Southern California, ensuring the viability of the sport in the state’s southern regions.
However, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) recently complicated these plans by granting racing dates for a 10-week meeting at the Alameda County Fair this fall. This decision came despite Stronach’s threat to close Santa Anita if racing continued in Northern California.
Looking Forward
Golden Gate Fields was originally slated for closure at the end of last year, but Stronach agreed to keep it open until June if stakeholders did not oppose the simulcast legislation. Despite the track’s imminent closure, the future of horse racing in California remains uncertain, with stakeholders and fans hoping for a resolution that preserves the sport’s legacy while addressing its challenges.
Today marks a poignant moment for horse racing enthusiasts and the Bay Area community as they bid farewell to a storied venue that has been a part of their lives for over eight decades.
