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Horse racing nominees highlight safety gains but warn industry faces economic crisis
Summary
Nominees to the California Horse Racing Board credited new safety measures and technology for a sharp decline in equine fatalities but told the Senate Rules Committee the industry faces an economic downturn after Golden Gate Fields' closure, with members discussing purses, potential gambling options and steps to revive Northern California racing.
Three governor's nominees for the California Horse Racing Board told the Senate Rules Committee they supported recent animal-welfare reforms while warning that the state's racing industry faces a deep economic slump.
"We have become the global leaders in horse racing safety," Dennis Alfieri said, citing roughly 50 regulations adopted after the 2019 welfare crisis and a sharp drop in reported equine fatalities. Thomas Hudnut said fatalities fell from a high of 81 (an earlier year cited in committee remarks) to far fewer in the most recent reporting period and emphasized new veterinary checks, secondary pre-race inspections, increased barn security and monitoring technologies.
Senators pressed nominees about the financial pressure on tracks, declining purses and the closure of Golden Gate Fields. The nominees said the loss of Golden Gate displaced stabling for about 1,100 horses and reduced Northern California racing opportunities; they described the resulting financial strain on fairs and smaller tracks and said the state's purse structure is insufficient to retain trainers and owners.
Committee members asked whether the board could or should adapt policies to allow additional wagering formats. The nominees repeatedly said the CHRB is a regulator and not a revenue-generating body, but that higher purses and legislative solutions (including possible changes to wagering policy) could help attract horses and trainers back to California.
Industry witnesses including Justin Fanzal (representing Del Mar Racetrack and the Strona Group), Bill Nader (president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California) and Alan Balch (executive director, California Thoroughbred Trainers) urged the committee to support the nominees and stressed the economic role of tracks for jobs at fairs and in local communities.
Senators recorded committee votes to advance each nominee to the full Senate: Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos and Thomas Hudnut were moved to the floor for confirmation (committee votes recorded in the transcript at the time of the motions as 3-0 to move each nominee). The committee left items open for absent members to add on.
The nominees and supporters framed the immediate goals as protecting riders and animals while rebuilding the financial viability of racing through higher purses, improved marketing and, potentially, legislative changes to ancillary revenue and wagering rules.
