track closing

All too often in racing, as in life, when one rises another must diminish. With the unveiling of the new Belmont Park looming, the fortunes of the aging Aqueduct Racetrack really had only one way to go. Competition from alternate gaming in addition to intra-city pressure made the land the track stands on invaluable, and the writing appeared to be on the wall for the aging facility. With 132 years packed under its belt, Aqueduct made its swansong on Sunday, June 28, closing out a history that spanned seven decades...

If Golden Gate Fields is not licensed to operate beyond July 1 next year, proceeds from simulcast wagering in the north are funneled south when there is no racing in the northern half of the state, according to proposed legislation introduced in Sacramento. The rule of thumb is that proceeds from wagers made in the "northern zone" stay in Northern California to pay for purses and operational expenses, while the proceeds from wagers made in the "southern zone" stay in Southern California for the same purposes. According to California Authority...