This channel is your source for horse racing footage from Northern California in 2002-04. I also have a few races from Southern California and other states in my archives (aka VHS tapes scattered on my floor). My progress will be slow at times, but I promise my video collection will inexorably grow.
You did great videos of being there last day of racing at Bay Meadows, Hollywood Park and Golden Gate Fields. I know it’s sad to see them close but memories can’t be erased. California Horse Racing industry has to get a hold of this very soon for the racing’s impact on the future. Aqueduct (NY) and Laurel Park (MD) are going to close once the renovations at Belmont Park and Pimlico is done and those tracks will be thriving and having things to do during before and after the races to make it like a Gulfstream Park vibe which the Stronach Group knows how this works.
The decline in racing interest by the public was due to the implementation of the State Lottery. The transportation costs of getting around. And of course, the generation change. I saw people buying scratcher tickets at the liquor store instead of the racing form. I saw my favorite Hollywood Park go from mid-week crowds to practically zero. I remember this woman who had a food stand near the paddock and made great hamburgers. Then the Hollywood Park Casino was established, and more people migrated there instead of the racetrack side. Now, it's a shopping center and other stuff. But the Casino is now the draw. I grew up in racing as a railbird. My first trip to the races was at the old Caliente track in Baja, CA (Tijuana) in 1960. I have seen and experienced the most amazing moments at the racetracks all over the world. Today, at 73 years of age, I now have ownership interest in thoroughbreds through MyRacehorse (crowd funding) They use the services of top trainers throughout remaining racetracks in the US. I 've had several winning horses in my stable. I miss Bay Meadows & I certainly will miss Golden Gate too. I still love thoroughbred racing!
Wow, this footage depicts that final day as just so sad. The words " forlorn" and 'desolate' come to mind. I really blame this current decline in racing on a wide range of factors. The reasons are many and complex however the solutions aren't that difficult. One thing I've noticed is poor management . When passionate, hard core horse racing fanatics running a facility are replaced by casino types or other corporate folk who don't have the racing bug, things decline fast. Another is a lack of community engagement and constant marketing. In today's world there are MANY activities vying for the sports and entertainment dollar...you have to be always advertising, marketing, and engaging with the community at large.....there are lots of other things I can say but I just hope somebody somewhere starts turning this around.
The second secret corsage is currently spending the rest of its life in Japan. We are watching live on our Japanese site NICONICO. I'm glad to see her secret corsage from her active days. Thank you for leaving this video.
Garrett Keith Gómez (1ro. de enero 1972 - 14 de diciembre 2016) * 21.639 Montas * 3.769 Primeros * 3,329 Segundos * 3.015 Terceros * $ 205.224.899 producidos * Jinete Campeón en Estados Unidos por dinero producido 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 * Premio Eclipse al Mejor Jinete del Año 2007 & 2008 * Premio Memorial Jinete George Woolf 2011 * Trece triunfos den carreras de Copa de Criadores * Exaltado al Museo Nacional de las Carreras y Salón de la Fama en 2017 * ¡Descansa En Paz, campeón! ¡Nunca te olvidaremos! * Saludos desde Venezuela Garrett Keith Gomez (January 1, 1972 - December 14, 2016) * 21,639 Mounts * 3,769 Firsts * 3,329 Seconds * 3.015 Thirds * $ 205,224,899 earned * 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 United States Champion Jockey by earnings * 2007 & 2008 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey * George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award 2011 * Thirteen victories in Breeder´s Cup Races * Inducted to The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2017 * Rest In Peace, champion! We´ll never forget you! * Best regards from Venezuela
Thanks for these 3 videos! I worked there for years,.. up to that fateful last day. I more than miss Bay Meadows ,.. and everyone I worked with. This is such a good reference point in time,.. and in my life.
I worked for Dennis in the 1990's as a groom, one of the best guys ever on the racetrack. Was always around after also and looked at Attack Force to many times to remember. I was in his barn when I won my first race as a trainer in 2005.
13 years ago, I remember back in 1970, s my late uncle aunt lived up in hills in Hayward see the track lights from across the bay. Never got a chance to visit as I was visiting from LA.
War Emblem (February 20, 1999 - March 11, 2020) * Sire: Our Emblem * Grandsire: Mr Prospector * Dam: Sweetest Lady * Damsire: Lord at War * Sex: Stallion until gelded at age 17 * Breeder: Charles Nuckols Jr. & sons * Owners: Russell R. Reineman (Starts 1 to 7) The Thouroughbred Corporation (Starts 8 to 13) * Trainers: Frank R. Springer (Starts 1 to 7) Robert Baffert (Starts 8 to 13) * Jockeys: Larry Sterling Jr. Victor Espinoza * 13 Starts * 7 Wins * 0 Seconds * 0 Thirds * 1 Fifth * $ 3,491,000 earned (Current $ 5,146,093) * 2002 United States Champion 3-Year-Old Male Horse * Rest In Peace, Champion! * Greetings from Venezuela War Emblem (20 de Febrero, 1999 - 11 de Marzo, 2020) * Padre: Our Emblem * Abuelo paterno: Mr Prospector * Madre: Sweetest Lady * Abuelo materno: Lord at War * Sexo: Semental hasta que fue castrado a los 17 años * Criador: Charles Nuckols Jr. & sons * Propietarios: Russell R. Reineman (Salidas 1 a 7) The Thouroughbred Corporation (Salidas 8 a 13) * Entrenadores: Frank R. Springer (Salidas 1 a 7) Robert Baffert (Salidas 8 a 13) * Jinetes: Larry Sterling Jr. Victor Espinoza * 13 Salidas * 7 Primeros * 0 Segundos * 0 Terceros * 1 Quinto * $ 3,491,000 producidos ($ 5,146,093 actuales) * Caballo Campeón de Tres Años en Estados Unidos 2002 * ¡Descansa En Paz, Campeón! * Saludos desde Venezuela
wow when i was a kid my family raced horses and owned / trained here we lived in the horse stables/ tackle rooms on back of track when track was closed id play every where including every where in this building brings back memmorys from late 70s thru 80s and yes some races are fixed or were but not all and last few races all them horses were for sale and you always knew when a canadian came in and only stayed one night only all the way from canada he was winning and moving on fixed race put your mony on him my mom owned 10 horses 2 Thoroughbred and 2 horses that would win often
