A day at the races is an experience unlike any other
There’s something about the roar of a crowd and the sound of thundering hooves that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
The excitement of a horse–your horse–taking the lead deep in the stretch to win by a nose can send reasonable adults into a frenzy. It’s an experience that transcends all age, social and economic boundaries.
That scene has been repeated thousands of times in the 77-year history of the Sonoma County Fair, which kicks off its annual three-week horse-racing meet on July 26.
Considered the jewel of the summer fair circuit by many veteran trainers and jockeys, the Wine Country Racing meet will include 13 days of action, running from July 26 through Sunday, August 11. There is no racing on Mondays and Tuesdays during the meet.
Post time is 1:15 p.m. each day except Friday, when the first race goes off at 3:15 p.m. The schedule will vary between nine and 13 races each day. Races will be run on both dirt and turf tracks, with on-track and satellite wagering expected to exceed $30 million during the meet.
In addition to thoroughbred horses, the meet also includes races for mixed breeds, Arabians, quarter horses and Mules. Many of the country’s top horsemen will compete again this year, including trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and jockey Russell Baze, the most prolific rider of all time with more than 12,000 career victories.
Steeped in tradition
Horse racing and Santa Rosa have been closely linked since the 1930s, when racing got its start at the Sonoma County Fair. With the country mired in a deep depression, the sport was at its peak with legendary horses like Seabiscuit and War Admiral reaching celebrity status. Before the days of off-track betting, satellite racing facilities and pari-mutuel wagering, fans flocked to the Santa Rosa track in huge numbers.
Since then, the industry has undergone a transformation, with off-track betting allowing horse-players an opportunity to wager on races all over the country. As a result of pari-mutuel wagering, the off-track betting handle now far exceeds the money wagered by on-track patrons. Last year the on-track handle for the Sonoma County Fair meeting was just over $3.8 million, but the total handle was some $34-million. Still, there is just nothing like the sights and smells of live racing.
Turf track an added feature
Added in 2005, the seven-furlong (7/8 of a mile) turf track is the only one on the California fair racing circuit and attracts superior horses. Races alternate between the dirt oval and turf track and are also shown on the big screen facing the grandstand.
Several high-profile stakes events are held during the fair meet, including the Earnest Finley Handicap, Luther Burbank Handicap, James F. Lyttle Memorial Handicap, Joseph T. Grace Handicap, Cavonnier Juvenile Stakes, Elie Destruel Handicap, Head Pin Handicap, Sabre Chant Handicap, Santa Rosa Marathon, Apache Double Handicap, Santa Rosa Arabian Handicap, California Appaloosa Derby, Wine Country Derby, and Santa Rosa Mule Championship.
The Joseph T. Grace Handicap, a distance race for four year-old thoroughbreds, is considered the premier event of the meet offering a purse of $100,000.
This year, the fair is running the meet under its own guidance, breaking ties with the California Association of Racing Fairs (CARF) as a cost-saving measure.
Fair Racing Director Richards Lewis announced that one fewer stakes race would be run this year, eliminating the $75,000 Wine Country Debutante for 2-year-old fillies. The meet changes should be seamless to fair-goers, who will continue to enjoy the charm and ambiance that Wine Country Racing offers.
“Santa Rosa is considered the ‘Saratoga of the West,’” Lewis noted. “It’s the only racing fair to have both a turf course and a dirt course. It is used by many horsemen/woman as a working vacation.”
Racing seminars
A day at the Wine Country races would not be complete without attending a racing seminar, which offers tips and information for the day’s racing card. The seminars are located in the fairgrounds just outside the track and offer a different guest speaker each day starting at 11:30 a.m., except Fridays when they begin at 1:30 p.m.
Placing a bet
Armed with a program, Daily Racing Form and some inside knowledge, it’s time to make your way to the track. With large weekend crowds and a limited number of live betting windows, it’s smart to buy a cash voucher and take advantage of the dozens of automated betting machines that line the facility.
A pre-race trip to the paddock is a good way to take a look at the horses in the upcoming race. It also gives betters their first chance to make an early pick. With the race just 10 minutes away, the bugler blows his familiar “call to post” and the jockeys mount their horses for the post parade around the track.
In addition to on-track betting, fairgoers will also have the opportunity to wager on races from other tracks around the country, which are shown on television monitors around the facility.
Whether a high roller or “ham and egger,” it doesn’t take a lot of money to wager on a horse race.
The minimum for a win, place or show bet is $2 and fans can place a $1 quinella or $2 exacta wager, trying to pick the top two horses in exact order. Trifecta or Superfecta wagering has the biggest pay-outs for those trying to pick the top three or four horses in order. The minimum age to place a bet is 18.
When the bets are down and the horses reach the starting gate, settle in and enjoy the most exciting two minutes in sports.
If you’re going to the races
When: July 26-August 11 (no racing Mondays and Tuesdays)
Where: Sonoma County Fairgrounds,1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa
Admission: $10 (general admission to fair) for adults, grandstand seating – $3, box seats – $5.
