It¹s been called the sport of kings, but the exhilaration and
excitement of watching a horse, your horse, thunder down the
stretch to a five-length victory transcends all age, social and
economic boundaries. It¹s a two-dollar adrenaline rush that¹s worth
every penny.
That¹s the story again this week, as thousands of patrons and
thrill seekers flock to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in search of
fun, fortune and a really good corn dog.
Whether a horse better, carnival aficionado, or animal lover,
the Sonoma County Fair has something for everybody. In fact, there
are few ways to spend a summer day that offers more fun for the
entire family.
The crown jewel of the annual fair is the Wine Country Racing
meeting, two weeks of excitement at one of the best and most
fan-friendly tracks in the state. Racing began on July 26 and will
run continuously until Sunday, August 6. There is no racing on
Tuesday, August 1.
There are 10 races on the card most days, with 12 scheduled on
the weekends. The action starts at 12:45 p.m. and finishes about 6
p.m. This year, the fair is offering a later start on Friday, with
the first race going off at 2:15 p.m.
In addition to thoroughbred horses, the fair also includes races
for mixed breeds, Arabians, quarter horses and mules. In fact, a
cloned mule named Idaho Gem made an appearance this year, finishing
second in a race on July 26.
Horse racing and Santa Rosa have been closely linked since the
early thirties, 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 facilities 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. That being said there¹ s still nothing
like the sights and smells of live racing.
Last year the fairgrounds added a new multi-million dollar
seven-furlong, (7/8 of a mile) turf track alongside the mile dirt
oval. The new surface gave Sonoma County the distinction of being
the only fair in the state of California to offer turf racing.
³Sonoma County¹s rich history and love for horse racing played a
huge role in our commitment to move ahead with this project,² said
former Fair Manager and current Racing Director Jim Moore. ³This
turf track will take horseracing to a new level at the home of Wine
Country Racing. It will bring better horses to the track and a new
prestige to a racing meet that already enjoys a great reputation in
the racing community.²
A day at the Wine Country races would not be complete without
attending the 11 a.m. racing seminar, hosted by leading handicapper
Danny Holmes and track announcer Vic Stauffer. In addition to
introducing special guests each day, the seminar offers racing fans
an opportunity to ask questions on any aspect of the horse racing
industry.
³The daily seminar is one of the things that makes this fair
meeting so special,² said Stauffer, who called his first race in
Santa Rosa in 1984 and has returned to the fair for each of the
past 12 years. ³If you held a seminar at Churchill Downs an hour
before the Kentucky Derby you¹d get about 12 people, but we get 600
here.²
Stauffer, who also works at major tracks such as Hollywood Park
and Gulfstream in Florida, displays his expertise and quick wit in
some good-natured verbal jousting with his seminar co-host.
Author of the best selling book, ³10 Steps to Winning,² Holmes
shares decades of betting experience and practical advice,
preaching that ³the secret to winning is not in picking the right
horse, it¹s in how you handle your money.²
The two experts don¹t just make their selections, they break
down each race and offer in-depth analysis on their picks.
Armed with a program, Daily Racing Form and some inside
knowledge, it¹s time to make your way to the track. With large
crowds and a limited number of betting windows, it¹s smart to buy a
cash voucher and take advantage of the dozens of automated betting
machines that line the facility.
A 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
talk themselves out of an early pick. With the race just 10 minutes
away, the bugler blows his familiar ³call to post² and the jockeys
mount their horses for the post parade around the track.
Whether a high roller or nickel and dime better, it doesn¹t 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 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,
it¹s time to settle in and enjoy the most exciting two minutes in
sports.
