Humboldt County Fair Horse Racing Future Uncertain

Now more than ever, the future of horse racing at the Humboldt County Fair is uncertain. That uncertainty took a turn for the worse at a recent meeting of the California Horse Racing Board. Although the fair has historically been associated with racing, the board’s refusal to grant the fair extra racing dates more or less jeopardizes the event. The results of this recent meeting leave the program hanging in the balance, with some hoping for a possible reversal when that board vacancy is filled.

The California Horse Racing Board, at its meeting held on April 17, voted 3-2 against a request from the Humboldt County Fair for seven racing dates in late August. This decision has unsettled fair organizers and local legislators, who claim that the event is crucial for the economy of that region. The chief contention was that the board is not fully constituted at present; four votes are required to approve requests.

Oscar Gonzalez, an advocate for the fair’s racing dates, further suggested that the fair should reconsider its request at that time when the vacant commissioner position is filled. This statement has given some hope to some supporters because a full board could possibly mean just the right amount of votes to approve the fair’s racing dates.

The racing events organized as part of the Humboldt County Fair have been a much-needed long-term internal source of income at these fairgrounds for the local economy. The future of horse racing remains the single-best income generator for the fair as it brings thousands of guests from around the world and huge amounts of income from off-track betting. In a letter to the board, James Morgan, chief legal officer for the Humboldt County Fair, acknowledged the importance of such events to the section.

Morgan also pointed out that late-August racing revenue for the Humboldt races should be kept in the North, as this is the time of year when local racing events are conducted. He argued that withholding these dates would hurt the economic interests of the region and that there was no reason to deny other racing dates simply for the benefit of Southern California’s racing industry.

Racing interests from Southern California have always opposed the expansion of racing opportunities locally, in Northern California. These groups claim that racing dates in a place like Humboldt would generally have the same effect as diversion of the Southern California tracks’ betting revenues, which is detrimental to their specific financial interests. Some critics are worried that wagering in the North would shift to events held in the North rather than at Southern California.

The Humboldt County Fair certainly enjoys strong political support among local officials, most notably State Senator Mike McGuire and Congressman Jared Huffman, who have gone ahead to lend direct support for the fair’s request for additional racing dates. Both legislators sent letters to the California Horse Racing Board, urging approval of the fair’s request. They argued that the future of horse racing at the Humboldt County Fair isn’t just a sport; it certainly helps support local businesses, creates jobs, and generates tourism.

A long-time supporter of the North Coast in the California Senate, McGuire has always been willing to promote regional economic interests. Similarly, Representative Huffman, who represents the interests of Northern California, has actively advocated for policies intended to lift the area’s economy, including the preservation of horse racing at the fair. Their letters show that they both agree on the importance of this event for the community.

The unending contest among racing interests of Southern California is a serious obstacle to Humboldt. These groups have been dominant for a long time in the future of horse racing scene of California and see increased competition from Northern California as an adverse scenario. The refusal by the California Horse Racing Board to accept Humboldt’s request is more of the general conflict regarding the distribution of race dates and the monetary fruits they yield.

Southern California tracks already receive a substantial share of the state’s racing calendar, while Northern California venues like Humboldt fight for a greater share of the wagering revenue. As more events in the North are viewed as a threat to Southern California’s financial dominance, racing officials from the south have actively worked to prevent additional dates from being added outside of their jurisdiction.

Despite the board’s rejection, the Humboldt County Fair still has a chance to secure its racing dates. As mentioned by Oscar Gonzalez, the fair may have an opportunity to revisit its request once the board is at full capacity. This means that while the fair’s immediate future remains uncertain, it is not beyond hope that a favorable outcome could be achieved if the board’s membership is filled.

For the time being, the Humboldt County Fair officials, legislators, and advocates are busy gathering support for votes to ensure that the future of horse racing remains a tradition. The matter is far from settled, and the next few months will likely go a long way toward determining whether this cherished event will be part of the fair’s program in future years.

As the situation develops, all eyes will remain on the California Horse Racing Board and whether it will ultimately decide to approve Humboldt’s request. This decision will have an enormous impact on the county fair and the economy of the region. The community has not yet finished its fight to keep the races alive, and the battle is expected to continue for several months before there is a resolution.