Golden Gate Fields racetrack in Northern California to close this fall

By BETH HARRIS
AP Racing Writer

It’s the end of an era for Northern California horse racing. Golden Gate Fields will permanently close after its final racing date later this year at the San Francisco Bay area track. The track’s owner, The Stronach Group, says it will focus on Southern California, where it owns Santa Anita and the San Luis Rey Downs training center. Horses will be moved from the Bay Area to Santa Anita, with a goal of increasing field sizes and adding another day of racing at the Arcadia track starting in January.