PLEASANTON, Calif. (KRON) — It’s the end of an era.
The horse racing track at the Alameda County Fairgrounds is officially closed. Tuesday marked the last full day for horse trainers there. Tim Bellison has been training horses his whole life. He’s spent the majority of that time at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.
“Like I said, I live here… I’ve lived here for 35 years, and ugh, I’m not happy,” Bellison said.
But Tuesday marked his last day on the property of preparing a meal and training his two racehorses.
The fairgrounds decided earlier this year to shut down racing operations, citing financial and regulatory issues. Bellision says the fairgrounds was never truly invested in horse racing.
“They have decided to ride cheaper races down there for these horses, and the reason is it’s all about money; horse racing is based on gambling,” Bellison said. “Basically, the people who gamble on Northern California, that money stays in Northern California; the people that bet on Southern California, that money stays in Southern California.”
Bellison says he and his colleagues were given less than 30 days to vacate the property. He says families are being separated from this decision.
Miguel also must leave the fairgrounds. He is leaving his three adult children to move with his boss to Los Alamitos in Orange County.
“I don’t let him down. I have to go with my boss. I ask him when you retire, I retire too,” Miguel said.
Miguel has been working as a foreman at the fairgrounds and has been caring for the horses there for more than 40 years.
The end of horse racing here at the Alameda County Fairgrounds follows the closure of the Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley. All trainers will be required to leave the property by the end of Friday.
PLEASANTON, Calif. (KRON) — It’s the end of an era. The horse racing track at the Alameda County Fairgrounds is officially closed. Tuesday marked the last full day for horse trainers there. Tim Bellison has been training horses his whole life. He’s spent the majority of that time at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. “Like I […]
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