Report: NorCal fall meet details at Pleasanton are finalized

Golden State Racing and the California Racing Board have finalized the details of a fall race meet at Pleasanton. Autumn racing in northern California previously happened at Golden Gate fields, but that track closed permanently in June.

The fall meet at Pleasanton will begin Oct. 19 and run through Dec. 15, with 26 race days during that time. There had been an ongoing negotiation around purse money levels, but details were signed and submitted to the California Horse Racing Board this week according to Steve Andersen of Daily Racing Form.

Though the California Horse Racing Board approved a fall meet at Pleasanton in a contentious meeting in March, there was an ongoing conflict over prize money levels between the two parties. Thoroughbred Owners of California cited an agreement with meet operator Golden State Racing to start purses at $170,000 per day. Golden State Racing argued for a lower purse distribution, given their concern that the meet would not raise enough money to cover those obligations.

According to the agreement, purses will start at $170,000 daily, though they will be lowered if the purse fund is in debt $400,000 or more.