Alameda County Fair committee hears pleas to keep horse racing as barn closure looms

The Alameda County Agricultural Fair ad hoc committee on Wednesday heard emotional public testimony and a staff update on the fate of live horse racing at the county fairgrounds, as the barn/training area faces a scheduled closure on March 25 and the fair grapples with both financial shortfalls and wastewater permitting constraints.

Committee members and staff described a short, hurried effort after Golden Gate Fields closed in 2023 to host racing under a joint program called Golden State Racing (GSR) organized by CARF (the California Authority of Racing Fairs). A staff speaker said GSR proved financially unviable, CARF is undergoing a reorganization, and the fair has incurred operating losses and used funds to buy back a golf-course lease. "We are out $1,900,000 on operating revenue," a staff speaker said, and the committee was told the fair also used $3,200,000 to buy out a golf-course lease.

Public commenters — trainers, owners and backstretch workers — said the announced March 25 closure would displace families who live on the grounds, cost jobs and harm local businesses that rely on racing and fair attendance. One public commenter, identified in the transcript as offering financial figures, demanded publication of the Golden State Racing, CARF and Alameda County Fair contracts and called for a "forensic audit." Another said local owners had offered to back the fair, telling the committee "we're asking for accountability." George Smith, who identified himself during public comment, said an operating agreement (he cited a 2017 version) identifies horse racing as part of the fair arrangement and said he and another person were willing to provide $2,000,000 to cover operating costs but opposed bailing out CARF.

Staff and board members said the racing problem is twofold: economics and regulatory compliance. On economics, committee speakers said algorithmic wagering and vertical integration in the racing industry diminished expected revenues when key wagering platforms disengaged, producing lower-than-projected wagering and operating receipts. On regulation, staff explained that wastewater runoff from the fairgrounds has been "determined to be out of compliance with the discharge regulations," and the fair cannot legally discharge to the local sewer without a permit; staff identified the regional water board and the Dublin (transcribed as "Dublin Standard 1") services district as agencies involved in permitting.

Committee members said some options remain — using reserves, seeking external funding, or working with social-service partners to help affected families — but emphasized the fair has little control over regulatory approvals. The chair summarized public comments as calls for more time, clarity on promised funds, and better communication from the fair and industry partners.

The committee treated the item as informational at this meeting; no formal motion or vote was recorded. The chair closed public comment and moved to the next agenda items. Committee members said a subcommittee or staff follow‑up could develop more details and timing for outreach to families, but staff declined to set a firm deadline for a solution before March 25.

The fair staff said communications about racing changes were routed through horsemen's organizations and industry partners and that they will continue working with social‑service providers and school districts to identify families on site and assess options. The committee signaled appreciation for the public turnout and said it would continue to examine both the financial and regulatory paths forward.