A lack of entries has caused Golden Gate Fields to cancel racing for the second time in three weeks.
According to a report in the Daily Racing Form, Golden Gate has canceled its May 3 card as the dwindling horse population continues to take a toll on the Northern California track. The venue has been struggling with field size in recent weeks as racing was also canceled April 19, the latest blow for the track which is scheduled to close on a permanent basis June 9.
Since Golden Gate’s impending closure was announced in July 2023, Northern California horsemen have wondered what the next steps might be with regard to their future. The battle to fill fields has also been felt throughout the entire California circuit as the state’s registered foal crop dropped to 3,867 foals in 2023. Last year, there were 5,126 Thoroughbred races in California compared to just 2,815 the year prior.
Daily Racing Form reported that through Saturday, Golden Gate has averaged 6.57 runners per race in 423 races since the start of the current meeting Dec. 26, 2023. The track averaged 6.61 runners per race in 487 races during a similar period last year.
Golden Gate had seven races carded April 28 with the largest field size being seven horses entered for the day’s finale.
