Golden Gate Fields, which track owner 1/ST Racing is closing in mid-2024, will operate with sharply reduced purses when it opens for its winter/spring meet Dec. 26.
Maiden races, contested for $30,000 during the start of the previous winter/spring meet, will have a purse of $22,500 (plus up to $6,750 for California-breds), with allowance purses somewhat higher. Claiming races are worth between $10,000-$20,500.
The Northern California track plans to run only two stakes: the $100,000 El Camino Real Derby Feb. 10 at 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta for 3-year-olds and the $175,000 San Francisco Mile Stakes (G3T) on turf.
The El Camino Real Derby winner will continue to earn paid entry into the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course in the spring. Pimlico is another 1/ST Racing track. Rombauer won both races in 2021.
The El Camino Real Derby was also worth $100,000 in 2023. The San Francisco Mile, captured this year by Southern California invader Balnikhov , was worth $250,000.
The cuts of approximately 25% are due to a longstanding overpayment of the purse account, the Thoroughbred Daily News first reported over the weekend. Thoroughbred Owners of California president and CEO Bill Nader told TDN that wagering was down in 2023, and 1/ST Racing wanted to cut purses last fall, which the TOC resisted. California tracks do not have gaming to supplement purses.
The condition book and stakes schedule are online.
Racing on the Northern California fair circuit is planned next summer.
