LA County Fair Horse Racing Ends. (Pomona, Los Alamitos: coupons, 2014, closing)

[BlackShoe]

SoCal horse racing fans are losing another long standing traditional race track. Fair officials have formally requested that their traditional racing dates during the LA County Fair be relinquished and given to Los Alamitos Race Course. Los Al, which recently had it's track expanded to one mile, has already been approved for additional TB races, and would then pick up the dates that Fairplex now races during the fair. The CHRB has not yet approved the measure, but is expected to do so at their next meeting. With the closing of Hollywood Park in December, this will be the second SoCal track in less than a year to be gone.
www.lacountyfair.com/horse-racing-relocates-from-fairplex-to-los-alamitos-in-fall/
www.dailybulletin.com/business/20140425/fairplex-los-alamitos-address-state-horse-racing-board-over-dates

[elhelmete]

Sayonara.

Los Alamitos is a far superior venue.

[BlackShoe]

Originally Posted by elhelmete

Sayonara.

Los Alamitos is a far superior venue.

Not in total agreement with this. Not long ago Fairplex was being considered for getting some of Hollywood Park's dates. One thing is for sure, and that is fair attendence numbers will go down. Many, like myself, would go for both the racing and then would see the fair. Now the racing fans will go elsewhere. Many that live in the area will just go across the street to the OTB facility on White Avenue and skip the fair. Parking and admission are free.

In recent years the cost of attending the fair has gone way up, and that is one of the problems. While there are many deals and coupons available for those that are aware of them, not everyone is, and for them, the cost is quite pricey. Fifteen dollars for parking on weekends is one of them that irks. Way back when, charges for parking and admission was reasonable, even factoring in inflation. Race fans were charged an additionl small fee for admission to the track. The place was absolutely packed on weekends, standing room only if you got there late. Then admission charges were dropped, and anyone that wished to could walk in for free. However, parking and fair admission prices went up.

It is debatable as to whether or not giving the dates to Los AL will be better for racing, only time will tell. Horse racing at Pomona did have it's own niche, with many stables and riders looking forward to it each year, and doing well there. For many, it will be missed.

[elhelmete]

Los Al had the room and the wherewithal to expand the main track to 1 mile, which pretty much guarantees a better caliber of horse racing. I don't know whether Pomona had the room or the $$ or the permission to do so.