Bay Meadows to close, according to DRF

[Dunbar]

DRF reports that the CHRB denied Bay Meadows' request for a delay in going to a synthetic surface. Bay Meadows says it will close:

http://drf.com/news/article/83412.html

--Dunbar

[Antitrust32]

this is stupid. that cali board jumped to conclusions and forces the tracks to spend 8 mill to put in the poly.

screw california

I've heard that a new 250 million dollar facility will be built in Dixon CA. Its about half way between Sacramento and San Fransico. It makes me wonder what would happen to Golden Gate also.

[PSH]

Truth is the land that they both sit on land that is just way way too valuable. Both facilities are quite old with little or no money spent to keep them up. The one exception was at Bay Meadows to install new barns inside the main track so that the old barns and training track could be torn down and a housing develpment complex was built.

The best thing to happen would probably be to close both facilities down and build the proposed track at Dixon.... It is pretty sad when a race track junkie like myself hardly ever drives the 15 miles to see live racing at Golden Gate fields. The place is an eyesore and the racing quality is poor.

THere has been talk that Bay Meadows has been looking to shut down over the past five years or more. This poly track is just the excuse that they need to shut down and build more houses over the land....

PSH

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Too many tracks running as it is.Let them run half year at the Gate,and then come to SOCAL to run.We need full fields in racing,and we need to stop giving money away for beating 4 horses.

Don't bet on Dixon Downs being approved by the local voter's .... Last poll showed it losing...... If BM goes dark for good, place your money on SR getting more then just 2 weeks of fair racing!

[pointman]

Reminds me of when Roosevelt Raceway closed on Long Island

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

Too many tracks running as it is.Let them run half year at the Gate,and then come to SOCAL to run.We need full fields in racing,and we need to stop giving money away for beating 4 horses.

That's correct. We need more tracks closing, not less.

[Echo Farm]

Last time I looked, the Dixon Track didn't look hopeful. The Campbell's Soup Tomato plant is nearby and they're worried about the traffic from the track interfering with the 'mater trucks.

Obviously they haven't really looked at the attendance at a track lately.

but mabe the casino would bring the traffic.

[Left Bank]

Originally Posted by Sportfisting

Don't bet on Dixon Downs being approved by the local voter's .... Last poll showed it losing...... If BM goes dark for good, place your money on SR getting more then just 2 weeks of fair racing!

That's just what I was thinking.Gotta put that turf course investment to good use.

[Echo Farm]

Originally Posted by Echo Farm

Last time I looked, the Dixon Track didn't look hopeful. The Campbell's Soup Tomato plant is nearby and they're worried about the traffic from the track interfering with the 'mater trucks.

Update!

3/13/07.....................The limitation that states that Dixon Downs will not hold live horse races in the tomato harvest season -- generally the months of September and October -- was made in response to the lawsuit filed by Campbell Soup Company against the project based on the assertion that traffic caused by Dixon Downs would prevent timely trucking for the soup company's deliveries.

After the announcement of the covenants, Campbell representatives said Mar. 9 that it would drop the litigation, and the company's teamsters union said they are now endorsing the racetrack, according to Mills.

And the Teamsters union is now endorsing the track! Perhaps they could now use some union thugs to persuade the other locals opposing Dixon Downs

more here:
http://media.www.californiaaggie.com...-2773849.shtml

[TitanSooner]

Originally Posted by Kimmeastar

That's just what I was thinking.Gotta put that turf course investment to good use.

I always felt they "KNEW" what they were doing when they put a turf course in there.. That track is gorgeous.. would be great if they got some more dates.

[Danzig]

no surprise at all. they have been talking development for a while now--no way they'd install a new surface when they aren't looking at being around long term. why bother?
and yeah, there are too many tracks-that more than anything leads to the diluted fields.

[TitanSooner]

but would Santa Rosa be willing to drop in a synthetic surface to be eligible for those dates? I don't think Dixon is going to fly.

[sumitas]

in cali its poly or the highway...so build your stupid condos bay meadows.

Good point! I was thinking about that same situation. One would belive that SR would have to go synthetic to get any dates other then fair racing.