[horseplayer69]

Horse racing has been one of mankind’s most popular sports since the beginning of recorded time. The sport has evolved from fields and country lanes to ancient arenas and modern racetracks. Modern racing dates back to the 12th Century when swift Arabian horses were bred to sturdy European horses in order to produce horses with speed and endurance. Horse racing is conducted not only in the United States but in such countries as France, England, Ireland, Japan, Argentina, Singapore, China (Hong Kong) and the United Emirates.

There are four major thoroughbred racetracks in California besides Bay Meadows – Golden Gate Fields (Albany), Santa Anita (Arcadia), Hollywood Park (Inglewood) and Del Mar (Del Mar).

The history of Bay Meadows dates back to the 1930s.

In 1933, William P. Kyne was responsible for the return of modern day racing in California after it had been banned by a vote of the people in 1910. The Ballot measure passed by nearly a 2 to 1 margin even through a similar measure launched by Kyne had been narrowly defeated in 1932.

After investigating the possibility of establishing a racetrack in Southern California, Kyne acquired the old Curtis-Wright airfield on the south side of San Mateo. The site had once been a meadow and was near the bay, hence the name “Bay Meadows”. The ground breaking for the racetrack was on April 8, 1934 and the track opened on November 3, 1934. Attendance on opening day was 15,000 and the mutuel handle on the eight race card was $117,753. Wagering was then limited to win, place and show.

When the United States entered World War II, all racetracks on the west coast were ordered closed. As a result of Bay Meadows agreeing to dedicate 92% of its profits to the war effort, Bay Meadows received an exemption from the order and was allowed to remain open throughout the duration of the war. Due to gas and tire rationing, race goers were not allowed to use cars or buses to get to the track. Horse and mule drawn wagons were the means of getting to the track.
As a result of operating during World War II, Bay Meadows is the longest continuously operating racetrack in California.

Over the years, Bay Meadows has been the site of many “firsts” for racing. The Puett Electric Starting Gate, such gates now being used at most major racetracks in the United States, was first used at Bay Meadows. Quarter horse racing was presented at a major track with pari-mutuel wagering for the first time at Bay Meadows. Bay Meadows was also the first track in California to use the totalizator system and photo finish camera, and the first to present the daily double and night racing.

In 1945, the first horse, El Lobo, was transported by air to a racetrack. The plane took off in Los Angeles and landed in the Bay Meadows parking lot and then taxied up to the Grandstand entrance where El Lobo was unloaded. El Lobo raced the next day in the Inaugural Handicap and won.

In 1948, the legendary Bill Shoemaker began his illustrious career galloping horses at Bay Meadows and won the first stakes races of his career at Bay Meadows in 1949. In April of 1954, Determine won the Bay Meadows Derby and in May went on to win the Kentucky Derby. In 1984, Wild Again ran at Bay Meadows and a week later won the $3,000,000 Breeders Cup Classic.

The El Camino Derby is Bay Meadows signature race, a race that has proven to be a stepping stone to the Triple Crown Classic for such as horses as Golden Act (placed in all three Triple Crown races), Gate Dancer (won the Preakness), Tanks Prospect (won the Preakness), Snow Chief (won the Preakness), Tabasco Cat (won the Preakness and Belmont), Casual Lies (placed in Kentucky Derby), Charismatic (won Kentucky Derby and Preakness), and Cavonnier (placed in Kentucky Derby).

Among the famous horses that have run at Bay Meadows were the legendary Seabiscuit who won back to back running of the Bay Meadows Handicap, Noor, Native Diver (broke his maiden-and won 4 of his 33 stakes races at Bay Meadows), Round Table, Citation, Coal Town, Majestic Prince (broke his maiden at Bay Meadows and went on to win the Kentucky Derby) Tizna, John Henry, The Bart, Track Robbery, Super Moment, Lady’s Secret, Palace Music, Skywalker, Ruhlman, Cigar, Brown Bess, King Glorious, and Soviet Problem, and Lost in the Fog.

It is difficult to top jockey Ralph Neves’ (a leading jockey in his time) experience at Bay Meadows. He was involved in a spill during a race at Bay Meadows and was then taken by ambulance to the local hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A few minutes later he startled a nurse by getting up and announcing he had to get back to the track to ride a horse in the next race. He ran out of the hospital and jumped into a taxi bound for the track. The next day he returned to riding.

In the nineties and now into the 21st century, the leading trainer at Bay Meadows has been Jerry Hollendorfer and the leading jockey Russell Baze. Russell has lead the nation in victories seven times, and has won 400 races in 11 of the past 13 years. Baze rode into the horse racing record books as the world's winningest jockey on December 1, 2006 at Bay Meadows aboard the Mark Glatt-trained filly Butterfly Belle. It was Baze's 9,531st win moving him into the top spot over Laffit Pincay Jr. The victory came in the day's fourth race and Pincay was on hand to witness Baze surpassing his career win mark.

[smitch124]

I used to go to Bay Meadows all the time, the Northern California circuit is kinda pathetic. The fields have always been down, way too many 4 and 5 horse races. The land it's on is just way too valuable, on meeting spot of 92 and 101 that land is worth a fortune!!

Still sad to see it go though, its time has passed.

[englishmike]

Thats what happens when you think the general public wont notice 20% juice.

[TodaysAction]

Originally Posted by horseplayer69

Horse racing has been one of mankind’s most popular sports since the beginning of recorded time. The sport has evolved from fields and country lanes to ancient arenas and modern racetracks. Modern racing dates back to the 12th Century when swift Arabian horses were bred to sturdy European horses in order to produce horses with speed and endurance. Horse racing is conducted not only in the United States but in such countries as France, England, Ireland, Japan, Argentina, Singapore, China (Hong Kong) and the United Emirates.

There are four major thoroughbred racetracks in California besides Bay Meadows – Golden Gate Fields (Albany), Santa Anita (Arcadia), Hollywood Park (Inglewood) and Del Mar (Del Mar).

The history of Bay Meadows dates back to the 1930s.

In 1933, William P. Kyne was responsible for the return of modern day racing in California after it had been banned by a vote of the people in 1910. The Ballot measure passed by nearly a 2 to 1 margin even through a similar measure launched by Kyne had been narrowly defeated in 1932.

After investigating the possibility of establishing a racetrack in Southern California, Kyne acquired the old Curtis-Wright airfield on the south side of San Mateo. The site had once been a meadow and was near the bay, hence the name “Bay Meadows”. The ground breaking for the racetrack was on April 8, 1934 and the track opened on November 3, 1934. Attendance on opening day was 15,000 and the mutuel handle on the eight race card was $117,753. Wagering was then limited to win, place and show.

When the United States entered World War II, all racetracks on the west coast were ordered closed. As a result of Bay Meadows agreeing to dedicate 92% of its profits to the war effort, Bay Meadows received an exemption from the order and was allowed to remain open throughout the duration of the war. Due to gas and tire rationing, race goers were not allowed to use cars or buses to get to the track. Horse and mule drawn wagons were the means of getting to the track.
As a result of operating during World War II, Bay Meadows is the longest continuously operating racetrack in California.

Over the years, Bay Meadows has been the site of many “firsts” for racing. The Puett Electric Starting Gate, such gates now being used at most major racetracks in the United States, was first used at Bay Meadows. Quarter horse racing was presented at a major track with pari-mutuel wagering for the first time at Bay Meadows. Bay Meadows was also the first track in California to use the totalizator system and photo finish camera, and the first to present the daily double and night racing.

In 1945, the first horse, El Lobo, was transported by air to a racetrack. The plane took off in Los Angeles and landed in the Bay Meadows parking lot and then taxied up to the Grandstand entrance where El Lobo was unloaded. El Lobo raced the next day in the Inaugural Handicap and won.

In 1948, the legendary Bill Shoemaker began his illustrious career galloping horses at Bay Meadows and won the first stakes races of his career at Bay Meadows in 1949. In April of 1954, Determine won the Bay Meadows Derby and in May went on to win the Kentucky Derby. In 1984, Wild Again ran at Bay Meadows and a week later won the $3,000,000 Breeders Cup Classic.

The El Camino Derby is Bay Meadows signature race, a race that has proven to be a stepping stone to the Triple Crown Classic for such as horses as Golden Act (placed in all three Triple Crown races), Gate Dancer (won the Preakness), Tanks Prospect (won the Preakness), Snow Chief (won the Preakness), Tabasco Cat (won the Preakness and Belmont), Casual Lies (placed in Kentucky Derby), Charismatic (won Kentucky Derby and Preakness), and Cavonnier (placed in Kentucky Derby).

Among the famous horses that have run at Bay Meadows were the legendary Seabiscuit who won back to back running of the Bay Meadows Handicap, Noor, Native Diver (broke his maiden-and won 4 of his 33 stakes races at Bay Meadows), Round Table, Citation, Coal Town, Majestic Prince (broke his maiden at Bay Meadows and went on to win the Kentucky Derby) Tizna, John Henry, The Bart, Track Robbery, Super Moment, Lady’s Secret, Palace Music, Skywalker, Ruhlman, Cigar, Brown Bess, King Glorious, and Soviet Problem, and Lost in the Fog.

It is difficult to top jockey Ralph Neves’ (a leading jockey in his time) experience at Bay Meadows. He was involved in a spill during a race at Bay Meadows and was then taken by ambulance to the local hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A few minutes later he startled a nurse by getting up and announcing he had to get back to the track to ride a horse in the next race. He ran out of the hospital and jumped into a taxi bound for the track. The next day he returned to riding.

In the nineties and now into the 21st century, the leading trainer at Bay Meadows has been Jerry Hollendorfer and the leading jockey Russell Baze. Russell has lead the nation in victories seven times, and has won 400 races in 11 of the past 13 years. Baze rode into the horse racing record books as the world's winningest jockey on December 1, 2006 at Bay Meadows aboard the Mark Glatt-trained filly Butterfly Belle. It was Baze's 9,531st win moving him into the top spot over Laffit Pincay Jr. The victory came in the day's fourth race and Pincay was on hand to witness Baze surpassing his career win mark.

Nice post. Low handle, small fields, etc, etc were also a part of the demise. Maybe you can go there and grab some seats, dirt etc as a keepsake.

[jjgold]

Most tracks will close, will be like 10 only in a few years.

[thezbar]

The surface change away from the dirt tracks is causing a loss of interest in the game for me. And I never thought that day would come. Its just not the same thing. Plus the takeout issue. For any action better there are much better options out there. The race track industry is striking out at taking the nessessary plans of action to counteract these trends. The result is the smaller race tracks closing the doors.

[fiveteamer]

They should have never touched so cal and keeneland.

[ritehook]

jj is right.

Tho some small tracks will survive. The ones that are also casinos. (They're called "racinos.")

[bettilimbroke999]

That's not surviving that just becoming a casino, there's a dog track in West Memphis called Southland, before Tunica opened it was packed to the gils with fukin idiots just playin numbers etc. and did great. After 1990 with Tunica opening and sukin all the idiots to its slots with free rooms/buffets/blowjobs all that you could find at Southland was a few poor blacks screamin at a $2 quinella to come in. Anyway in 2006 they were pretty much gonna go out of business so Arkansas decided to legalize "skill" casino games to keep them alive, so they have slot machines which give you two spins, the first one you chose which reels to hold and then respin the other reels on the 2nd spin , the skill part is laughable but thats what they do, plus card games of course. The dog track part of Southland is so cordoned off and still so unpopular that Southland has simply turned into a poor quality casino, amazing they even run the doggies anymore given the lack of interest

[topgame85]

Tracks generate a lot of revenue for the state and although take out is huge you can get a huge payday for a small wager people will always want to gamble on horse racing

[bettilimbroke999]

Untrue top, there is very lil interest in gambling on a sport that you have no chance of winning at, horse racing makes blackjack look like giving away free money. If you're a clueless idiot but can read a basic strategy card in bj you will win 2/5 times you go to casino, same situation in horse racing will be lucky to win 1/5 and when I say lucky I'm talkin bout a micro win not the 1/million chance you have of hitting a large field pick six and walkin away with some decent cash. Go to any non-huge name racetracks and youll find nothing but empty chairs, horse/dog racing are essentially dead already and have gotten most states to approve adding casinos to them so they dont close the doors

[fiveteamer]

Horseracing, like a lot of sports, could do with contraction.

[englishmike]

Originally Posted by fiveteamer

Horseracing, like a lot of sports, could do with contraction.

Very true. Less racing means bigger fields in less races of better quality.

[Richkas]

[Seattle Slew]

I agree. I never could figure why they have so few horses. The purses are not terrible. Used to play a few races there when Dennis Carr was riding, but tough track. The Baze factor was too difficult.

Originally Posted by smitch124

I used to go to Bay Meadows all the time, the Northern California circuit is kinda pathetic. The fields have always been down, way too many 4 and 5 horse races. The land it's on is just way too valuable, on meeting spot of 92 and 101 that land is worth a fortune!!

Still sad to see it go though, its time has passed.

[thezbar]

Originally Posted by fiveteamer

They should have never touched so cal and keeneland.

I loved the Keeneland meets. OK people would say it was a conveyor belt with speed winning all the time. Didn't bother me. I'd bet big $ and do well. Since Polytrack entered the picture I can't win and have stopped playing that track. Same thing with Del Mar. The best one for me is the Hollywood Park surface. Thats playable imo. What happened at Santa Anita was silly. Maybe this ProRide surface will be playable. But I'm not holding my breath. Its most likely two or three years down the road till things are consistant again.

[robmpink]

Who will really miss the constant 6 horse fields? Kind of reminds me when Garden State Park, Atlantic City, and Detroit was on the verge of closing. I really can't remember constant decent fields at BM for all of the years I've bet racing starting in 1994.

[BrentCrude]

Great post and nice historical data on a historical track.Whoever the poster was that said that the 20% juice has killed racing hit the nail on the head.What do the Indian casinos pay to the state they are located in?0% taxes.Sure,they tighten their slot machines where it's probably 20% juice too but the mindless public doesn't want to have to think of how or what to bet on,they just want to push a button.

No matter what racing tries to do to be competitve in the gambling arena,they can't do it with racing alone.I like the 10 cent exotic bets and I like the cross nation betting pools for pick 6's and all that stuff but racing is just an old man's sport.It's not considered to be sexxy.You can blame alot of it on there being no personality from the jockeys to trainers to the people who cover racing in the media.Watch HRTV and TVG and it's boring and everybody in racing is very clanish.They even have their own language.

[Cloak & Dagger]

Ive been to every track in california with the exception of hollywood park

ever since they put in the poly at all the tracks horse racing has went to shit

coupled with the trainers doping horses...its a dirty game

Im trying to give it up

I havent placed a bet in 3 weeks and this is coming from a guy that has been betting horses for 12 years

now..I just go to the track to drink beer and hang out with friends...no bets

thats how del mar was....the people there werent even betting....just getting drunk having fun

thats what im going to make the race track for me....fun...no need to bet my money and stress off those legal criminals

[bbyhill]

I believe with any change there is opportunity.You can still play the picks and hit some good payouts for little as a buck.Will be interesting to see how SA will play.