The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has recently made a decision that has sparked debate among racing enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. In a meeting held on February 26th 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 eagerly awaiting the resumption of racing in Northern California. But here's where it gets controversial... The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) and California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) both opposed the idea, citing concerns that a revival of racing in Northern California would lead to a 5% drop in purses in Southern California. This is because, since Northern California racing ceased, a significant portion of simulcast revenue has been redirected to Southern California tracks, bolstering their fragile purses in a state without authorized purse-generating gaming. The Tehama District Fair had proposed nine days of racing from April 29th to May 26th at Red Bluff, while the Humboldt County Fair sought 12 race dates over a four-week period from August 5th to September 1st. However, CHRB staff outlined substantial regulatory, financial, and operational concerns related to these meets, which were re-emphasized during the meeting. The board's vice chair, Oscar Gonzales, and commissioner Brenda Washington Davis supported awarding dates to the fairs, highlighting the importance of horse racing to the fairs and their communities. They argued that broad statewide support could be needed if tracks are to receive authorization for historical horse racing gaming, viewed as a lifeline for the equine industry in Northern California. On the other hand, CHRB chair Dr. Greg Ferraro called racing in Northern California a 'no-chance situation', stating that the north is not ready for racing at this time. He emphasized that destroying all of racing in California to bet on a no-chance situation in the north is not the way to go. The CHRB staff's analysis was also critical of Humboldt's application, citing missing contractual documentation and unresolved agreements with industry stakeholders. Another practical concern debated was whether sufficient horses, trainers, and wagering interest would return to sustain racing in Northern California after more than a year's absence. While some Northern California horsemen have shifted their stables or portions of their stable to Southern California with limited success, many others have departed to race out of state at lower-level tracks. The Humboldt County Fair has also historically drawn horses from Oregon. The TOC president and CEO, Bill Nader, and CTT executive director, Alan Balch, added that Ferndale had short fields when it last raced, and it has become a meeting for horses from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and other states. The Humboldt County Fair's proposed meet would have come at a valuable time for simulcast wagering, with both Del Mar and Saratoga Race Course offering popular summer racing. So, what do you think? Is the CHRB's decision to reject the proposed race dates a wise one, or is there a chance that racing in Northern California could be revived? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
