California country fairs are the very heart of this state's horse racing scene. Since the early days of exploration and settlement, people have come together at certain times of the year to enjoy the festival or a special event. And they came by horseback.
The horse racing industry we know today was established in 1933. The stated purpose of the racing law which created it was the "encouragement of agriculture and breeding of horses." Wagering of money on horse races in California had been outlawed since 1909 and the return to "legalized gambling" was made possible by a statewide initiative which was only passed after three attempts.
The successful version of racing legislation included a commitment for the continuous funding of the fairs of California with an annual allotment of racing revenues to be used for health, safety and maintenance projects.
Thus, horse racing and fairs share a particularly special partnership. It is in the state fairs where the historical legacy California horse racing is deeply rooted.
California today is known for its famous race tracks including Del Mar, Hollywood Park, and Santa Anita – home of the Santa Anita Derby.
The Santa Anita Derby is an important preparatory race for the Kentucky Derby yielding such winners as Silver Charm, Sunday Silence, and Winning Colors plus Triple Crown winner Affirmed. List of Preparatory Races for the Kentucky Derby
Summer Bird becomes the Belmont Stakes winner and spoils jockey Calvin Borel's bid to become the first jockey to win the Triple Crown aboard different horses.
See the 2009 Belmont Stakes Results & Payouts, the Preakness results & payouts and the Kentucky Derby Results and Payouts.
With the Triple Crown races over, horse racing fans can look forward to the summer racing season. Lined up this summer is the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on August 2 and the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 29.
The 2009 Breeders' Cup, thoroughbred racing's most prestigious event, consisting of 14 Breeders' Cup races and $25.5 million in purses, will be held on November 6-7, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.
Find out the Breeders' Cup schedule, see the 2009 Breeders' Cup odds or take a look back in time in last year's Breeders' Cup entries and the previous Breeders' Cup winners.
Plus get free Breeders' Cup racing picks and betting tips from horse racing handicappers in the forum!
Filly Rachel Alexandra: On the Road Again in Mother Goose By GREG MELIKOV Filly Rachel Alexandra was among 24 nominations to Saturday's 53rd Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park. But it appears only four fillies will challenge the Preakness champ in the one-...
2009 Breeders? Cup Challenge Races Increased To 62 The Breeders' Cup Challenge has added more races to its "Win and You're In" program of automatic qualifiers, bringing the total to 62 races in which the winner clinches a berth in the Breeders' Cup fi...
2009 Breeders? Cup Tickets Now Available Tickets for the 2009 Breeders' Cup World Championships on November 6-7 at Santa Anita Park are now available. General Admission tickets for both Breeders' Cup days were reduced from last year's $20 to...
Santa Anita hugged the headlines in 1940 when Seabiscuit, one of the most popular horses of all time, wins the 1940 Santa Anita Handicap. The victory is Seabiscuit's last race and is one of the biggest sports stories of the year.
Free Santa Anita Horse Racing Picks & Tips
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, "where the turf meets the surf", is a product of Hollywood mixing with horse racing. It was built in 1937 by the legendary crooner, Bing Crosby, along with friends Jimmy Durante and Pat O'Brien.
Free Del Mar Horse Racing Picks & Tips
Another show biz baby, the Hollywood Turf Club was formed under the chairmanship of Jack L. Warner (of the Warner Brothers studio). With 600 original shareholders including film stars, directors and producers.
Free Hollywood Park Horse Racing Picks & Tips
The 1950 Golden Gate Handicap concluded the most remarkable rivalry in racing history between Noor and Citation, a race that prompted Citation’s rider, Steve Brooks, to proclaim, “We just can’t beat that horse!”
Free Golden Gate Fields Horse Racing Picks & Tips
Plans for Cal Expo were inaugurated in 1948 with the purchase of 1,000 acres of land along the American River. Aside from the colorful state fair, the track conducts live harness racing almost all year round.
Free Cal-Expo Horse Racing Picks & Tips
Find off track betting (OTB) station locations in California area:
Agua Caliente, Augustine Casino, Black Oak, Blue Lake, Cache Creek Indian Bingo & Casino, Chumash Casino, Chicken Ranch, Colusa Casino & Bingo, Desert Rose, Eagle Mountain, Palace Indian Gaming Center, Feather Falls, Harrah's Rincon
Probable 2009 Kentucky Derby Contender Quality Road Works at Belmont Park Quality Road, one of the leading Kentucky Derby starters, returned from a 1 3/4-mile gallop at Belmont Park, home of the Belmont Stakes 2009, with a tinge of blood from a newly-patched quarter crack, ...
Kentucky Derby Contender Quality Road Has New Injury; 2009 Kentucky Derby Start Doubtful Considered one of the top Kentucky Derby starters, Quality Road developed a quarter crack on the inside of his right front hoof--a few days after the same injury to the right hind hoof was declared he...
Jockeys For Kentucky Derby Starters Regal Ransom & Desert Party Announced Race horse trainer Saeed bin Suroor announced Thursday morning that jockey Alan Garcia would ride Regal Ransom in Kentucky Derby 135 and jockey Ramon Dominguez would have the mount on Desert Party for...