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.
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.
