From CHRB
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov. 20, 2025) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting Wednesday, November 19, at the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel Hearing Room in Sacramento. Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales chaired the meeting, joined by Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Brenda Washington Davis, Thomas Hudnut, and Peter Stern.
The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcastlink, accessed through the Media Room tab. In brief:
- In a positive sign for racing in Northern California, the Board allocated dates for a harness meet at the Big Fresno Fair between November 4, 2026, and May 11, 2027. The actual dates the meet will be running will be determined when its operator, Watch and Wager, applies for its license in mid-2026. There was no harness racing in 2025 after the breed’s longtime home, Cal Expo, was permanently closed. In response to a question from Commissioner Hudnut as to whether horsemen who previously raced at Cal Expo will return to California to race in Fresno after such a long absence, Watch and Wager’s Chris Schick said he and others have canvassed harness horsemen currently racing in other states and “horsemen are fully committed to coming back.” Because Fresno has no lights, harness racing that has traditionally been conducted at night will be run during the day.
- The Board approved the license application for the Los Angeles Turf Club to conduct a race meet at Santa Anita Park that will operate from December 26, 2025, through June 14, 2026. Santa Anita Senior Vice President Nate Newby reported that thanks largely to the revamped racing circuit in California and increased revenue for the southern racetracks, purses will increase by 5 percent at the coming meet. He specifically pointed out that purses for maiden special races will be increased to $70,000. The highlight of the meet will be the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 4.
- The Board approved the license application for the Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Racing Association to conduct a quarter-horse meet at Los Alamitos that will run from December 27, 2025, through December 20, 2026. Los Alamitos Marketing Director Orlando Gutierrez reported there will be six additional graded stakes in 2026, raising the total to 35 graded stakes, highlighted by California’s richest (non-Breeders’ Cup) stakes race, the Los Alamitos Futurity, with a projected purse of $1,800,000.
In the wake of recent equine fatalities at Los Alamitos, Commissioner Davis asked Los Alamitos President Cathy Allred what steps they are taking to further safeguard horses and riders. Mrs. Allred described mandatory safety meetings with trainers and meetings between CHRB personnel and practicing veterinarians, among other measures.
- The three operating racetracks in Southern California – Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Los Alamitos – along with their partners on the stabling and vanning committee – the Thoroughbred Owners of California, California Thoroughbred Trainers, and San Luis Rey Downs (SLRD) training center – submitted their stabling and vanning plan for 2026. Overflow horses will be stabled at SLRD and Los Alamitos year-round. Santa Anita will provide stabling for five months of the year when that track is not racing. The Board approved the plan.
- The Board authorized the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) to conduct an authorized horse sale at Fairplex in Pomona on January 20. CTBA President Doug Burge described some innovative steps the California industry is taking to incentivize breeders to produce more foals and of a higher quality.
- The Board approved a five-year license for the Oaks Local Craft Kitchen and Bar in Thousand Oaks to operate as a minisatellite wagering facility. This came with an announcement that another minisatellite, Sammy’s Restaurant and Bar in Lake Forest, has closed due to the owner’s plan to use the valuable property for another purpose.
- In his report to the Board, Executive Director Scott Chaney said the CHRB Race Dates Committee will convene prior to the planned discussion of Northern California racing at the Board’s January meeting.
- The Board approved several requests to modify the distribution of marketing access fees for various purposes. These are voluntary redirections of some revenue from racetracks and horsemen.
- The Board authorized the executive director to approve certain administrative actions on behalf of the Board, such as approving changes to post times, approving minor changes to the racing calendar, and so on.
- The Board approved various rule amendments pertaining to licensing.
- Dr. Jeff Blea, equine medical director, announced that all test samples from Breeders’ Cup participants have been negative and cleared.
- Deputy Executive Director Cynthia Alameda described her recent experiences with and two Women in Racing events.